Biographies
PATRICK HENRY MURPHY
The pioneer type, with its sturdy
fearlessness, its touch of romance, and its suggestion of conquest, is
one to be noted with admiration as the visible expression of a
national environment that never again can be witnessed. Every era brings its
men and its opportunities, but perhaps no greater man will ever be produced
than those who bravely faced the dangers of the deserts, penetrated the pathless
forests and by their dauntless energy passed the benefits of civilization still
further toward the setting sun. As the pioneers of California one by one enter
upon their last long journey across the desert of death and set sail upon the shoreless sea of eternity, there is called afresh to mind
the service which they rendered to their country and their commonwealth, and
appreciation wells afresh into the patriotic heart.
Not the least conspicuous among the
surviving pioneers of Sacramento County is Patrick Henry Murphy, who first
landed in the capital city on October 13, 1854. Born in St. Louis, Mo., in
June, 1838, he there grew up, and in 1854 joined a company of St. Louis
men, among them Isaac Lankershim and Mike Wiles, and
crossed the plains with a large expedition with an ox-team train and five
hundred cattle. This was a memorable year, for the Indians at that time were
warlike, but by exercising the utmost diplomacy they evaded several
controversies and probable massacre, and after a journey of six months and two
days the train dispersed on the Cosumne river, and
Mr. Murphy came on to Sacramento, where he found employment in a hotel. Later
he worked in San Francisco, but soon returned to Sacramento and then secured a
position in the Brighton flour and grist mill on the American River. For two
years he worked in the mill at monthly wages. His next venture was the purchase
of two hundred acres with a crop on the ground, and a small house suitable for
a frontier home. In an unexpected manner his identification with that ranch
brought him misfortune. While sleeping in his bed one night he was shot by negro workers, the ball passing through the board wall of
his cabin. The two thieves made their escape, but were afterward captured and
sent to the penitentiary for fifteen years. He was so seriously wounded in both
arms that he was completely disabled for one year and, in fact, was left
crippled for life.
Unable to work, the young farmer
relinquished his holdings and returned to St. Louis, where he visited at the
old house for a year or more. During 1862, in Fayette County, Ill., he was
united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Gibbs, who was born in Ohio. and died in California in 1874. Upon his return
to the west Mr. Murphy pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres in
Sacramento County and at once commenced the difficult task of clearing the
property. Later he purchased eighty acres so situated that it could be brought
into the home place as one farm, which gives them two hundred and forty acres
in this ranch. The land lies within a mile of Perkins and is improved with a
substantial residence and convenient farm buildings. A pumping plant furnishes
an abundance of water for irrigation and for domestic use. The value of the
place is greatly enhanced by the vineyard and fruit orchard covering fifty
acres, with grapes, cherries, prunes, peaches, pears and berries in fine
bearing condition.
Having an opportunity to increase his
holdings, in 1885 Mr. Murphy bought a partly improved tract of four hundred and
fifty acres on the Cosumne river, this county, of
which tract he now has over one hundred acres in hops. The balance of the ranch
is utilized for pastures, alfalfa meadows and grain. The ranch was occupied and
managed by the eldest son, Arthur D. Murphy, who with his family made his home
there until it was leased out. On both places a specialty is made of the stock
industry and the stock raised and sold includes high grade Shorthorn cattle and
pure bred Poland-China hogs. Ever since the organization of the California
state fair, a period of forty-nine years, Mr. Murphy has been an exhibitor of
stock, machinery and fruit, and at the fair of 1911 his exhibits won the same
admiration and attention they have received during the entire period of his
association with the work. There is not another man in the state who has been
such a steady exhibitor for so many years as he, and he has won
innumerable prizes and gold medals in different lines. Nor is his interest in
horticulture less than his identification with the stock business and for some
years, he has been a stockholder and director in the Florin Fruit Growers'
Association situated at Florin.
Of his first marriage Mr. Murphy has three
children living, Arthur D., Clara McDonald, and Ralph I. The daughter is a
successful teacher in the Sacramento county schools. Arthur D. is farming his
own place and the younger son acts as manager of the Cosumne
ranch. October 7, 1875, Mr. Murphy married Miss Carrie R. Jackson, who was born
and reared in New Hampshire, removed thence to Iowa, and from there came to
California during young womanhood. Five children are living of this union,
namely: William C., employed in the Sacramento street car service; Harry L.,
who is married and resides at the old homestead; Corda
L., who heads a responsible position in the mercantile house of C. C. Perkins at
Perkins; Elmer H., an expert chemist employed in the laboratory of the Union Sugarbeet Company; and George A., a farmer near Perkins.
Although Mr. Murphy cast his first
Presidential ballot for Stephen A. Douglas, for years he has been identified
with the Republican party. In 1861 he supported
Abraham Lincoln and since then he has never failed to cast a straight
Republican ticket at every Presidential election. Frequently he has been
selected as delegate to county and state conventions. In local elections he
supports the men whom he considers best qualified to serve the people,
irrespective of their political views. For four years he served as a justice of
the peace and he also has served as school trustee. As early as 1869 he became
connected with the subordinate lodge of the Odd Fellows and all but one of his
sons joined the same order. No citizen surpasses him in loyal devotion to his
township and county. It has been his privilege to witness the steady growth of
this locality and the awakening appreciation of its soil and climate. Doubtless
no one takes greater pride than does he in the constant progress of the
district, the increasing returns from the scientific cultivation of its
ranches, the growing business of the little towns and the patriotic spirit
manifested by the entire citizenship.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 1027-1029.
Historic Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.