John C. Murphy

John C. Murphy was born at Grand Ridge, Illinois, May 15th, 1846, and departed this life at his home in Roberts, Illinois, Friday, August 24, 1928, aged 82 years, 3 months and 9 days.
Mrs. Dietz of Onarga came to Roberts Sunday afternoon and called to see Mr. Murphy about caring for her cemetery lot here. He was not at home and she went to the home of Frank Gleason to see whether they knew where he was. They did not know but thought probably he was out at the chicken yard. She went back in the yard to see and found his body lying back near the chicken yard gate. A wheelbarrow was there and it appears he had been sitting on that when he fell off and died. He held his hat in his hand. The body was found about two o'clock Sunday afternoon.
Coronor Hanson was called and an inquest held. The jury consisted of one man who came with the coroner from Elliott and the following from Roberts, L. L. Boyle, Bela Foster, John Kristofferson, Justin Tarvin and Charles Rueck. They found that death came from natural causes probably myocarditis.
Several persons thought they saw Mr. Murphy Saturday but further thought on the subject convinced them that it must have been Friday that they saw him. He was always very punctual about getting his mail, but he did not get it Saturday morning. The mail that came Saturday morning was still in his post office box after his discovery. Therefore it is thought that he died Friday evening. There are other facts that lead to the belief that this death was Friday evening.
Mr. Murphy came to Roberts in early manhood and has lived here nearly all his life. He married Miss Julia Plunket. They had no children. She died eight years ago.
Mr. Murphy leaves one sister in Nebraska and a step sister at Strawn also other relatives and many friends.
The funeral services were held at the Catholic Church here Monday morning Father Co?fey officiating. The remains were laid to rest in St. Mary's Cemetery in Roberts.

--Roberts Herald.  29 August 1928.