Henry Clyde Murph was born on April 28, 1897, in Arp, Smith County, Texas. His father was James Henry Murph and his mother was Ada Jarvis Murph. He enlisted as a Marine on June 2, 1917 at Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. His discharge from the military came April 26, 1919 at Houston, Harris County, Texas. He married Carrie Mae Irwin on August 20, 1919 in Smith County, Texas. They had two children during their marriage. He died on July 19, 1972, in Houston, Harris County, Texas, at the age of 75.