San Mateo-Santa Clara County CA Archives Biographies.....Murphy, James Russell 1871 - 
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Author: S. J. Clarke (1928)

JAMES RUSSELL MURPHY

   On the roster of officials of the city of Burlingame, no name stands higher
than that of James Russell Murphy, who for seventeen years has faithfully and
capably discharged the duties of city clerk. A man of sterling character and
sound judgment, he has always held positions of responsibility and his record
has gained for him the unqualified confidence and respect of his fellowmen.

   Mr. Murphy was born in Redwood City, San Mateo county, on the 3d of March,
1871, and is a son of Jeremiah and Catharine (Corridon) Murphy. His father was
born near Listowel, Ireland, in 1839, and came to the United States in 1852.
Being of an adventurous nature, he drifted westward and reached California in
1862. He was employed on the construction of the railroad from San Francisco to
San Jose and on its completion was made a foreman, which position he held many
years, his death occurring in 1907. His wife was born in Ireland in 1843 and
came to this country in 1860. In 1867, in Redwood City, she became the wife of
Mr. Murphy and to them were born ten children, of whom six reached years of
maturity.

   James R. Murphy was graduated from the public schools of Redwood City in 1888
and immediately afterwards entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad
as a telegraph operator. Later he was promoted to the position of station agent,
in which capacity he served at various stations on that line, continuing with
that company until 1908, when he resigned the agency at Burlingame and assumed
the joint agency for the Wells-Fargo Express Company and the Western Union
Telegraph Company at Burlingame, which position he held until 1914, when he
resigned. In 1910 he was elected city clerk of Burlingame, in which office he
has been retained by successive reelections to the present time, being regarded
as a most efficient and satisfactory official, closely devoted to the
performance of his duties. He is a director of the Peninsula Building & Loan
Association of San Mateo and is a member of the advisory board of the Burlingame
branch of the Bank of Italy.

   On June 26, 1895, in the Mission church in Santa Clara, California, Mr.
Murphy was united in marriage to Miss Jessie E. Nichols, who is a daughter of
Benjamin Nichols, one of the early pioneers of California, having located in
Santa Cruz in 1851. He was a mill owner, prominent in business affairs and took
an active part in shaping the early history of Santa Cruz. His death occurred in
 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy have three children: Justina, born February 11, 1898;
Russell, born August 26, 1902; and Robert Ward, born March 18,1905. Mr. Murphy
attends the Roman Catholic church and is a charter member of San Mateo Lodge,
No. 1112, B. P. O. E. He takes a deep interest in the educational affairs of his
community and is a member of the board of trustees of the San Mateo union high
school, in which position he has served continuously since 1917. He has shown a
helpful public spirit in his relations with civic affairs and has given his
efforts and influence to the upbuilding of the city and the advancement of the
public welfare, so that he has long held an enviable place in public esteem.



Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY
OF
SAN MATEO
COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
VOLUME II ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO, ILL. 
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1928


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