JOHN O. MURPHY

Sacramento County

Biographies

JOHN O. MURPHY

JOHN O. MURPHY.--Few understand both their line of business and all the related conditions in local commercial and social life, as well as John O. Murphy, the far-seeing and enterprising proprietor of the well-equipped store on Del Paso Boulevard, North Sacramento, where he is engaged in the sale of electric supplies and gas appliances. He was born at Molino, Fla., on July 30, 1882, but was reared in Mobile, Ala., where he attended the public schools, and at the age of seventeen he started out to make his own way in the world, serving his apprenticeship as a mill-worker in a sash and door factory at Mobile, and in time becoming a full-fledged journeyman. Then, in July, 1905, he came West, but just in time to be a loser by the great earthquake and fire at San Francisco, in April, 1906. He was able, however, to return to Mobile, and in that city was married, in 1906, to Miss Cornelia F. Byrne, a native of Mobile and a lady of accomplishments, whose sister and brother later came to North Sacramento, where they now reside. Two children blessed this fortunate union: John B., a member of the class of 1924 of the Sacramento High School, and Lucile, who is a member of the class of 1927 at the same institution.

In 1909, Mr. Murphy and his family came to California, where he was occupied for the following four years as a contractor in plumbing, having had previous experience in that line from 1906 to 1908 at Mobile. In May, 1913, he came to Sacramento County, to take charge of the installation work of the North Sacramento Water Company, in what was then a new subdivision, and he did so well here that he continued to remain. Having seen the water company’s plant in successful operation, he turned to the development of his own business, in which from the beginning he has prospered. In connection with his work for the water company, Mr. Murphy was instrumental in making a map of the entire North Sacramento system; and this map, accepted as official and authentic, is the one in use today. He has become one of the men best-posted regarding North Sacramento and its wonderful development from a few scattered homes and a couple of stores, to the thriving industrial and trading center that it is today. He is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, and also of the Builders’ Exchange of Sacramento and the Northern California Electrical Association; and he evidences by his own investments his faith in the section these organizations are endeavoring to serve and develop, personally owning desirable business and residential property, including his own store-building.

Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Pages 947-948. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.