MICHAEL H. MURPHY

DEATH COMES WITH LITTLE WARNING
M.H. MURPHY'S SUDDEN DEMISE GREAT SHOCK TO CITY SATURDAY NIGHT
Well Known Business Man Had Been About City During Day in Apparent Health
Life's end came suddenly for Michael H. Murphy, well known business man of
the city Saturday night when he was stricken almost without warning at his
home during the early evening and passed away within a few moments. Mr.
Murphy had been about the city as usual Saturday apparently in his usual
health and had returned home in the afternoon and spent the evening with
his family. Shortly after the evening dinner, he complained of distress
and passed away within a short time despite efforts ro relieve him.
The news of the death of Mr. Murphy which spread rapidly was a shock to the
community of which he had been a resident most of his life and on every side
called forth expressions of regret and sympathy. Few men were more widely
known in the city and county, Mr. Murphy haveing been identified with the
business, civic and political life of the community for a half century.
Had Not Been Seriously ill
Although Mr. Murphy had not been in robust health for some time, his
condition had never been considered alarming and he was about as usual up
to the hour the summons came. Saturday he had been down town and visited
at the Elks Club where he called daily and had returned home early in (photo)
the afternoon but had not complained of illness.
Mr. Murphy's death occurred just one year, almost to the day, after that of
his brother John Murphy who passed away on March 9, just a day later than
the date on which Mr. Murphy was stricken.
A Native of Ohio
M.H. Murphy was born at Steubenville, Ohio, May 8, 1853, the son of Michael
Murphy, and his parents moved to Manitowoc county when he was still a small
child, settling at Cato where they acquired a large farm with Peter C. Murphy,
a brother of his father, as a neighbor. It was here that Mr. Murphy gained
his early education and then decided that he would rather live in the city
than on the farm. He came to Manitowoc where he became a farm machinery
salesman and later engaged in the farm machinery business.
Mr. Murphy early became interested in politics and the fall of 1880 at the
age of twenty-six was elected sheriff of Manitowoc county, a position which
he held in 1881 and 1882 and then was relected in 1884 to serve during 1885
and 1886. Fearing his youth might count against him in his first campaign Mr.
Murphy grew a heavy beard which he continued to wear for many years. He was
rated as one of the most efficient officers this county has ever had and drew
from Judge Gilson the compliment of being the best sheriff in the circuit
which included four counties at that time.
Served City In Council
Besides serving as sheriff Mr. Murphy on a number of occasions served his
ward as alderman and during the Cleveland administration served as deputy
collector of internal revenue for this district. He was chairman of the
committee which had charge of the erection of the present Eight street bridge
back in 1892 and one of his cherished possessions was a letter from Fred
Schuette, then mayor, commending him for the manner in which the work was
handled. He was one of the organizers of the old Advancement Association
and a moving spirit in that body and was also one of the men who helped to
organize the Manitowoc Building & Loan Association, which now has grown to
be a million dollar concern.
Built Seating Works Plant
It was in April 1892 that the Manitowoc Manufacturing company plant, then
on Franklin street between Eleventh and Twelfth on what is known as the
triangle, was burned and Mr. Murphy immediately set to work to reorganize
the company and erect a new plant. The new plant was known as the Manitowoc
Seating company and just a year after the fire it was in operation and has
been in continuous operation ever since without a single shut-down in the
thirty-two years. A large force of men have always been employed and the
product shipped to all parts of the world.
When the plant was first organized it was manufacturing school and church
funiture and opera chairs. In 1898 a merger of a number of plants throughout
the United States was effected under the name of the American School Furniture
company. The local plant was turned over to the exclusive manufacture of church
furniture and some of the finest carved work is the ???? ???? turned out here
(next sentence unreadable). Mr. Murphy became the general manager of all of the
plants of the American School Furniture company and for ten years made his home
at Chicago and New York the greater part of the time. He never lost his identity
with the local plant and resigned his position as the general manager to return
here as manager of the local plant, a position which he continured to hold until
about a year ago when he retired and was succeded by his son Clement W. Murphy,
who now holds the position as manager. Mr. Murphy however continured his
interests and acted in an advisory capacity, having his desk at the local office.
He had planned several trips for the summer.
Interested in Many Projects.
In addition to his interest in the Ameriacan School Furniture company Mr. Murphy
organized the Manitowoc Real Estate company in 1891. This company platted Lawndale
addition to the city and in 1890 he organized the Manitowoc Land & Salt company
which was later changed to the Manitowoc Land & Fuel company which is under the
management of his son, Francis X. Murphy. The Murphy Cement Construction company
was another of his organizations. He later sold his interest in the company which
became the Manitowoc Construction company.
Funeral Held Tuesday
Mr. Murphy was married in 1878 to Miss Charlotte Flynn of Two Rivers, the family
immediately taking up their home in this city where Mrs. Murphy died April 1, 1913.
On April 17, 1916 at St. Louis his marriage to Miss Madora Finney occurred and he
is survived by his widow and three sons, Francis X., Henry J., and Clement C., the
former and later of this city while Henry J. makes his home at Greensborough, North
Carolina. Five grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. Mary Brennan of this city and two
brothers, Jere and William of Minneapolis, also survive him.
Fraternally he was associated with the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Knights of
Wisconsin and the Elks. He was a member of Sacred Heart congregation from which
church the funeral will be held Tuesday morning and burial will be at Evergreen.
Six foreman with the plant, five of whom have been associated with Mr. Murphy in
the thirty-two years of its operation and the sixth one for thirty years, will
act as the pall bearers. They are Anton Sporer, Henry Knell, Henry Klein, Henry
Wesphal, Dan Danielson and Alis Lange. The plant will be closed down Tuesday and
many of the officials of the American School furniture company from Chicago and
other points will be here to attend the funeral.
Manitowoc Herald News, Manitowoc, Wis. Monday, March 10, 1924 P. 2
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[Bur. 03-11-1924/cause: apoplexy]
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MANITOWOC MAN CLAIMS BRIDE AT ST. LOUIS TODAY
Marriage of Miss Medora Finney, Prominent Society Woman of that City
and M. H. Murphy Is Celebrated
In the church of St. Francis Xavier at St. Louis, Mo., this morning,
was celebrated the marriage of Miss Medora Finney, member of one of
the most prominent families and social leader of that city, and
Michael H. Murphy, of this city, the wedding being quietly celebrated
at an early hour, the Rev. Father O'Connor who conducted a mission
here at Sacred Heart church, officiating. Following a wedding breakfast
and reception Mr. and Mrs. Murphy departed for the coast for a month's
trip before returning to this city to take up their home at Foarin (sic)
and Park streets. They will be at home to friends after June 1.
The marriage of Mr. Murphy and Miss Finney is the culmination to a
friendship of the two families for years. The bride is a daughter of
the late Judge John Finney, for years prominent as a jurist at St.
Louis, and has always made her home in St. Louis where she has been a
leader in social circles. Though a stranger to Manitowoc, she will be
warmly welcomed by society of the city which is to be her future home.
Mr. Murphy is one of the best known business men of the city, a life
long resident and is held in high esteem in the community. He is
manager of the local plant of the American Seating company, a position
which he has held for years and is also interest?? ??? number of
enterprises in the city including the Murphy Construction ?? and the
Manitowoc Land and Fuel Co. Mr. Murphy has been identified with the
city's growth and development for years and has been prominent in
organizations devoted to this ????? ??. He has taken an active interest
in politics and served as sheriff of Manitowoc county, and has been in
???? counsels of the democratic party of which he has been a supporter.
Mr. and Mrs. Murphy left St. Louis this afternoon and will stop enroute
at Kansas City and Denver, being guests at the Oxford hotel of which
James Brooks, a former Manitowoc resident, is manager at the latter city.
They will visit Grand Canyon and will be at Los Angeles, Cal., May 4 for
an extended stay and then visit Pasadena.
It is expected that Mr. Murphy and bride will return to this city in
three weeks to take up their home.
(Photo of Miss Medora Finney and M.H. Murphy)
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Wednesday April 26, 1916 P.1