San Francisco County

Biographies

JAMES D. MURPHY, M. D.

JAMES D. MURPHY, M. D., deceased, was for about thirty years one of the prominent physicians of the Pacific coast. He was born in county Louth, Ireland, in the early part of 1837, but came with his parent to America when quite young. His earliest advent into active life was in New York, where he learned the engineering business, and for several years operated a locomotive on one of the railroads in that State. He was very successful as an engineer and machinist, having early developed a decided taste for machinery and mechanical work. In later years, when he had become a medical student and practitioner, the eminence in that profession was largely due to the dexterity of a trained hand and the precision obtained as a mechanic. For about two years he was also engaged as a surveyor in New York State, and in that capacity was employed in laying out additions to the Albany cemetery. In the latter part of the ‘50s he came to California, and found employment in the Allison mines, of which he was soon afterward made superintendent. While in this employ he met with an accident, which though extremely painful and severe influenced his future life. While repairing some part of the machinery his foot slipped between the machinery, crushing the ankle and its small bones into splinters. In connection with this accident is mentioned a fact which strikingly showed the courage and character of the man. He saw the wound, and as no surgeon was at hand he attended to it himself with a pocket knife, cutting away several pieces of bone, and leaving a clean surface which he bandaged. He was removed to San Francisco and given into the care of Dr. Cooper, who found an excision of the ankle joint, and it was two years before the foot grew strong enough to be used by the patient sufferer. Meanwhile Dr. Murphy had become interested in anatomy and surgery, and at once began the study of that profession, in which he grew famous from Texas to Alaska and from Mexico to Washington. He studied with Drs. Tolaud and Cooper in the Medical College of the Pacific, of which Dr. Cooper was the founder and Dean, and which is now known as the Cooper Medical College. After graduation he went to Chicago and passed through the Rush Medical College with honors. Dr. Murphy then opened an office in this city, where he has practiced continuously for the past thirty years, and for twenty-eight years in the same office. He was demonstrator of anatomy in the Toland College for one year, and for seven years acted as Police Surgeon, and he may be said to have created that office in San Francisco, as before his time there was no regular surgeon attached to the police department. He has held offices as a member of the State and City Boards of Health, and was visiting surgeon of St. Mary’s Hospital for twenty years. Dr. Murphy has made during his whole career in the medical profession a conscientious study of every discovery or theory that promised to relieve pain or benefit suffering humanity. His was a noble life’s work, and he received ample reward in the numerous and wonderful cures which won him eminence as a surgeon. Patients come from Texas, Alaska, Utah, Arizona, Mexico and all the Pacific States to this city to avail themselves of his skill, he having at one time as many as twenty-three from Virginia City under his care. Even from Central America people have journeyed for his advice.

Dr. Murphy was married twice. His first wife died, leaving one son, now verging into manhood. In 1886 he was married to Miss Enright of Santa Clara county, and they have two promising children.

Transcribed by Donna L. Becker.

Source: “The Bay of San Francisco,” Vol. 2, Pages 485-486, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.

California Biography Project

San Francisco County

California Statewide

Golden Nugget Library