Ben was born in the house that his father built in 1881 on his share of the David Murphree estate. It was near "Point Evergreen," the house that Ben's paternal grandfather, Judge David Murphree (1811-1866) had built (completed in 1848). It was located on Prices Creek, near its intersection with the bend of the Guadalupe River between Cuero and Victoria. That area later became part of the Thomaston community which was established in 1872 upon the arrival of the Gulf, Western Texas and Pacific Railway's new extension from Victoria.

After Judge Murphree's death in 1866, Ben's father, James Owen Murphree (1847-1923) assumed responsibility for management of the family's ranch. After his marriage to Lulu Smith (1853-1939) on 27 Mar 1972, Jim and Lulu continued to live on that ranch and in that house where all 12 of their children were born.

Some of the information in the above bio was provided by Find A Grave contributor Bob Webb (#104352825) whose primary source was the 1962 book "A History of DeWitt County," written by Ben's older sister, the noted DeWitt County historian, genealogist and author, Nell Lulu "Nellie" Murphree (1882-1982).
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Ben F. Murphree

Ben F. Murphree, 70, of 3609 S. Saxet, died at 6:30 p.m. yesterday in a local hospital after suffering a heart attack late Friday night at his home.
A native of Cuero, Murphree had lived in the Robstown and Petronilla areas for the past 30 years and in Corpus Christi area for the last 11 years.
He was a grocery store and service station owner.
Surviving are his wife, Mildred; a daughter, Mrs. M. B. Morris of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; two sisters, Misses Nell and Ann Murphree, both of Cuero; two brothers, John of Houston and Robert of Cuero; and two grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by Cage-Mills Funeral Home.

Corpus Christi Caller, September 4, 1960, page 5A