23 Facts About Isaac Murphy

Isaac Murphy was a native of Pennsylvania, a teacher and lawyer who moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas with his wife and child in 1834.

Isaac Murphy continued to teach and became active in politics.

Isaac Murphy is considered the first Reconstruction governor of Arkansas, as he was allowed to stay in office after the Reconstruction Acts were passed by Congress in 1867.

Isaac Murphy was known for his fiscal restraint and a conciliatory attitude toward former Confederates.

Isaac Murphy was born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to a wealthy paper manufacturer and his wife.

Isaac Murphy was educated locally and at Washington College in Washington, Pennsylvania.

Isaac Murphy was admitted to the bar in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania on April 29,1825.

In 1830, Isaac Murphy moved to Clarksville, Tennessee, where he taught school.

In Fayetteville, Isaac Murphy established himself as a school teacher, surveyor, and lawyer.

Isaac Murphy became active in politics, elected as the first county treasurer of Washington County in 1836, and serving for two years.

Isaac Murphy was appointed as a master in chancery in 1841.

From 1837 to 1838, Isaac Murphy ran the original government land lines for Franklin County, Arkansas.

Isaac Murphy taught both whites and Indians at the seminary, intended for young men.

Isaac Murphy taught here until the building was destroyed by fire on February 17,1845, putting him in debt, as he had invested in the school.

In 1846 Isaac Murphy was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives for Washington County, and re-elected in 1848.

Isaac Murphy ran into financial difficulties about 1849 and left for California to seek wealth in the California Gold Rush.

In 1856, Isaac Murphy was elected to the State Senate representing Madison and Benton counties, to succeed the late senator John Berry.

Isaac Murphy worked to try to heal the war wounds in Arkansas, even as the war continued in the southern parts of the state.

Isaac Murphy was allowed to stay in office, but he was criticized by both sides.

When Isaac Murphy left office, his administration had a budget surplus.

Isaac Murphy returned to Huntsville and took up farming and practicing law.

On September 8,1882, Isaac Murphy died unexpectedly at his home.

Isaac Murphy said that Murphy had been implicated in those deaths.