Ronald,
I don't know if this helps any but there was a William and Elizabeth Tarpley living in Johnston County, NC (On the 1930 census). There wasn't anyone else in the household. Also I have a John Broughton born 1874 to John W. Broughton and Rebecca A. Johnson. I don't have any information on him other than his birth date. Maybe he is the one who died in 1917??