This is from a Murphysboro, Ill newspaper article dated 1873.
The school at Allyn Grove with Mr. J. T. MURPHY as principal, is in a flourishing condition. An assistant will be employed soon.
Could be him, there was also a fairly prominent communist who lived in Great Britain during the 1910's with the same name. I doubt he was your J. T. Murphy. I am more inclined to think it may have been the fellow above, you never know.