Salem Pioneer Cemetery ~ John J. Murphy ~ part of the Marion County Pioneer Cemeteries of Oregon
John J. Murphy
LAST NAME: Murphy FIRST NAME: John MIDDLE NAME: J. NICKNAME: 
MAIDEN NAME:  AKA 1:  AKA 2:  AKA 3: 
TITLE: Judge GENDER: M MILITARY: 
BORN: 22 Jun 1832 DIED: 19 Jun 1907 BURIED: 21 Jun 1907
ETHNICITY:   OCCUPATION:  Carpenter; Supreme Court Clerk; Judge, Sheriff
BIRTH PLACE:  Ireland
DEATH PLACE: Salem, Marion Co., Oregon
NOTES: 
BIOGRAPHICAL: John Joseph Murphy, for many years a resident of Marion County, Oregon, was born in Ireland June 22, 1832, and died near the east entrance of the county courthouse at Salem on June 19, 1907. In early manhood he came to Oregon from California, and took up his residence at Champoeg in the northern part of Marion County. He was a carpenter by trade and pursued that occupation for several years. He was a Justice of the Peace in Champoeg precinct in the latter sixties and his characteristic disposition to know all about anything he undertook, and to perform its duties creditably, led him to study law for the purposes of that office. He was afterward elected Sheriff of Marion County and his connection with the courts, as such officer, and the legal questions affecting his administration of this office still further stimulated his research in law, so that he studied systematically and was regularly admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of this state in 1873. He served with ability in the Legislature of the state and in various positions in the city government of Salem. He acted for several years as United States Postal Inspector with energy and fidelity. For some sixteen years prior to his death he was clerk of the Supreme Court of the State of Oregon and died an incumbent of that office. In every relation of life, both public and private, his record is one of unvarying integrity, and tho many in the struggles of politics and law felt his prowess as an antagonist, yet no one can truthfully assail his honor as friend or foe. He was a pronounced man in whatever he undertook and he was zealous for a friend or against an enemy. He was, in the full sense of the word, a "self-made man" and the architect of his own career. History of the Bench and Bar in Oregon, p. 271 

MURPHY, Judge J. J.: Chapman, pg. 130 [need citation--June 1907 written in] 
J. J. Murphy put in four years as Sheriff beginning in 1866 when he was elected to the position. Murphy at one time was a County Clerk in Marion County and a Supreme Court Clerk for 15 years. He also served at one time as Salem Mayor. 

PHOTOGRAPH NOTE - the picture of the home of J. J. Murphy, is shown courtesy of the Salem Public Library Photographs Collections, Salem Public Library, Salem, Oregon (Photo ID#837, Ben Maxwell Collection).  The photo is not dated, the photographer was Hugh Stryker.  The house was located at 625 Court Street (later renumbers 765 Court St.)
A History of the Oregon Sheriffs 1841-1991, by Linda McCarthy.
OBITUARY: 
JUDGE J. J. MURPHY EXPIRES ON STREET -- 
Clerk of Supreme Court Attacked by Heart Disease. (Telegram Coast Special) -- 
Salem, Oregon, June 20 -- 
Judge J. J. Murphy, Clerk of the Supreme Court for over 20 years, dropped dead on the street here last night. Heart disease was the cause. He was father of Chester G. Murphy of Portland. He was an Oddfellow and a Mystic Shriner. He sustained a paralytic stroke three years ago, but apparently fully recovered. His age was 75. Evidently he suffered an attack of dizziness last night, for he wandered across the street to the Courthouse Square before falling dead near the east steps. His body was found by Sheriff Culver at 9 o'clock and taken to the undertaking parlors. Dr. J. W. Reynolds, who has been the family physician for many years, was summoned and he broke the sad news to Mrs. Murphy. Judge Murphy was a prominent factor in Republican politics and was a member of every county convention for many years and frequently a delegate to the state convention. His fairness, his tact for smoothing over party differences and his unbroken good humor made him a desirable member of party counsels. He was born in Ireland 75 years ago this month and came to the United States with his parents when a small child. He came to California in 1858 and to Oregon in 1860. He lived for a number of years at Champoeg, where he engaged in business. He served in the Legislature and was twice elected Sheriff. Later he served as United States Postal Inspector, and, having been admitted to the bar, he practiced his profession for a number of years in Salem. He was appointed Clerk of the Supreme Court in 1891. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, having been a charter member of Champoeg blue lodge, in which he retained his affiliation to the day of his death. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He was also a charter member of Chemeketa Lodge, I.O.O.F. In 1876 he married Mrs. Stephen Church, who survives him. Mrs. A. J. Giesy and Mrs. L. G. Clarke, of Portland, are step-daughters, and Miss Ruth and Genevieve Church, of Portland, grand-stepdaughters. 
Oregon Statesman 20 June 1907 1:7 

Funeral at 2 p. m. Today. Funeral services over the remains of the late Judge J. J. Murphy will be held at the First Congregational church at 2 o'clock this afternoon. The sermon will be preached by Rev. F. E. Dell, pastor of the church. At the close of the church services, the Masons will take charge of the body and proceed to the I. O. O. F. cemetery where the Masonic ceremonies will take place. The services at the grave will be conducted by the officers of the Champoeg Masonic lodge of which the deceased was a charter member. 
Daily Oregon Statesman 21 Jun 1907 4:6. 

Relatives Arrive. 
Attorney Chester G. Murphy, son of the late Judge J. J. Murphy, Mrs. S. Church, daughter-in-law, and Paul Geisy, grandson of Mrs. Murphy, arrived from Portland yesterday morning. Mrs. J. A. Geisy and Mrs. L. G. Clarke, daughter of Mrs. Murphy, who were at Seaside when they received the sad news of Judge Murphy's death, will arrive in Salem on the 11:03 train this morning. 
Daily Oregon Statesman 21 Jun 1907 4:6.
INSCRIPTION: 
John J. Murphy 
Born 
June 22, 1832 
Died 
June 19, 1907
SOURCES: 
LR 
LD 
OSBH DC (Marion Co., 1907) #4056
Saucy Survey & Photographs 
DAR pg 50 
Chapman pg 130 
HBB p. 271 (portrait) 
OS 20 June 1907 1:7 
DOS 21 Jun 1907 4:6 
DOS 21 Jun 1907 4:6. 
McCarthy, p. 158 (photo included)
CONTACTS: 
LOT: 532 SPACE: 4 NW LONGITUDE: N 44° 55.191' LATITUDE: W 123° 02.875'
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