San Francisco County
Biographies
FRANCIS W.
MURPHY
One of the representative figures in the legal profession of San Francisco, and one who gained wide recognition as an able counsellor (sic), is Francis W. Murphy, who has offices in the Mills Tower. He is a native of this city, where his birth occurred December 8, 1895.
Francis W. Murphy is a son of the late Charles Francis and Annie (Griffin) Murphy. His grandfather, William Murphy, was born in Ireland, and came to San Francisco with his family after the close of the Civil war. Charles Francis Murphy was born in New York city, and received his education in the public schools and at Christian Brothers College in New York. During his active life he engaged in the draying business. He was a strong supporter of the democratic party; a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church; and a member of the Knights of Columbus. His death occurred June 15, 1922. His wife was born in San Francisco, September 16, 1867, and was a daughter of Hugh and Bridget (Lynn) Griffin, members of one of San Francisco’s pioneer families. She died on September 3, 1928. They were the parents of three sons and two daughters, as follows: Genevieve, who was born June 6, 1892, and died in childhood; Francis W., of this review; Charles V., born October 14, 1899, and now a resident of San Francisco; Anita, born December 1, 1904; and Cyril Lynn, whose birth occurred April 24, 1909.
The education of Francis W. Murphy was received in the parochial schools, in the public high school, and at St. Ignatius College, from which latter institution he received the Bachelor of Laws degree in 1921. He supplemented his schooling with work from the time he was twelve years of age, when he began to sell newspapers. He worked as an errand boy, and for a five-year period ending in 1917 he was employed as a clerk by John A. Roebling’s Sons Company. Military service interrupted his studies during the United States’ participation in the World war, but after his return from overseas he entered the law office of Sullivan, Sullivan and Theodore J. Roche, as a clerk. This was his first direct contact with the profession which he intended to follow as a career. He remained in this association from August, 1919, until March, 1922, and then entered the private practice of law, which he has continued ever since. He has made a specialty of insurance litigation, and has conducted cases of prime importance in the local courts. He is a member of the San Francisco and the California State Bar Associations.
In San Francisco, on June 16, 1926, Mr. Murphy was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Cottle, who was born in Santa Ana, California, June 8, 1897, and is a daughter of Clairmore and the late Pearl (Shively) Cottle. The Shivelys were pioneer settlers of Santa Clara county, also the Cottles. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy have one daughter, Elizabeth Ann, who was born April 21, 1929, in San Francisco, and a son, William F., born August 10, 1931. The family residence in this city is situated at 330 San Benito way.
Mr. Murphy’s political activities have been along independent lines. He is a member of St. Emydius parish of the Roman Catholic Church, and is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, being past grand knight of the California Council. He belongs to San Francisco Lodge, No. 3, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Fishing and golf are his favorite recreations.
On June 20, 1917, Mr. Murphy enlisted in San Francisco in the United States Army. He was assigned to the headquarters troop of the Seventh Division of the regular army and sent overseas. He served in the Pu Venelle sector, and in the second army offensive. His honorable discharge from the army was dated June 9, 1919, and he attained the rank of sergeant. Mr. Murphy’s reputation as a self-respecting member of the local bar, who maintains a high degree of integrity, has been considerably augmented by his personal popularity. In civic affairs and in social circles wherein he moves he has acquired hosts of friends by his characteristic geniality and his straightforward methods of ordering his life.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Byington, Lewis Francis, “History of
San Francisco 3 Vols”, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1931. Vol. 2 Pages 438-440.
© 2007 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
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