William Sumter Murphy
William Sumter Murphy (1796–1844) was an American lawyer and diplomat, known for serving as the American chargé d'affaires to Texas in 1843 and 1844. Early life Murphy was born in South Carolina in 1796; in his early years, he read law in Virginia, and began practicing in Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1818. Three years later, in 1821, he married Lucinda Sterret. Political and military career Although his excellent oratorical skills made him a sought-after criminal defense lawyer, Murphy was primarily interested in politics. Referred to as the "Patrick Henry of the West", Murphy made use of his abilities on behalf of the Democratic Party. In 1832, he challenged future governor William Allen for a seat in the United States House of Representatives, in Ohio's 7th district. Murphy lost, and Allen became a highly successful Ohio politician. Discouraged by the experience, Murphy abandoned the Democrats for the rest of his life. Murphy also served in the Ohio state militia, attaining the rank of brigadier general, and provided his services to the Governor of Ohio, in the aftermath of the Toledo War. Having become a member of the Whigs by 1840, Murphy supported William Henry Harrison in the 1840 election. Upon the expulsion