William T. Murphy
Montana GenWeb Archives 
May be copied for non-profit purposes. 

John T. Murphy, is a native of Missouri, his birth having 
occurred in Platte County, February 26, 1842. William S. 
Murphy, the father of John T, was a native of the state 
of Pennsylvania, and they became the parentsof two 
children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the 
first born. John T. Murphy was reared to farm life in 
Missouri and received his education there. In 1859 when 
seventeen years of age, he started out in life on his 
own responsibility, coming as far west as Colorado, and 
there securing employment as a clerk. In 1860 he went to 
Nevada City, Colorado and engaged in business on his 
own account. He conducted a general merchandise business 
there for a year and a half. Then he sold out and 
engaged in the wagon transfer business. In 1864 he 
came to Virginia City, Montana with a wagon train of 
merchandise and after selling out he returned to 
Nebraska City Nebraska. The following spring he loaded 
a wagon train with merchandise, also shipped goods by 
steamer on the Missouri River, and brought all to 
Helena where he opened a store July 1, 1865.His stock
 brought good prices in gold dust and he did a 
prosperous and remunerative business. As his trade 
and capital increased he established several branch 
stores and conducted a successful mercantile 
business until the fall of 18980 when he disposed 
of his business in Helena. He is still, however 
interested in merchandising at Great Falls. He had 
not been long in Helena until he discovered that 
there was money to be made in the stock business, 
and he has all these years been more or less 
interested in raising sheep and cattle. In 1890 
he became one of the organizers of the Helena 
National Bank and was elected its president. He 
was also one of the organizersof the Montana 
Savings Bank and one of its directors. After 
the death of Col. C.A. Broadwater, president of the
Montana National Bank, the directors looked 
about for a suitable financier to succeed him 
and after much thoughtand the due exercise of 
judgement in the matter, John T. Murphy was 
selected as the man best adapted for the important 
position. He therefore resigned the presidency of 
the Helena National Bank and entered upon the 
duties of the presidency of this great financial 
institution for which by large experience it is 
conceded he is so admirably fitted. In 1871 Mr. 
Murphy marred Elizabeth T. Morton, a native of 
Clay County Missouri and the daughter of William 
Morton. They have four children, all natives of 
Montana, their names being William M, Francis D, 
Addie M. and John T. Jr. They reside in Helena. 

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