My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE DEAN MURPHY. Among the highly cultivated and therefore productive farms of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, located in Whitpain township, is the one owned and operated by George D. Murphy, fourth son and fourth child of John and Mary Ann (Gillen) Murphy nee Dean, who was born in Gwynedd township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, September 28, 1860.

He attended the public schools of the district, and later was a student at Sunnyside Academy which was located at Ambler and conducted by the Misses Knight. He continued his studies in this institution until his nineteenth year, after which he assisted his father on the home farm at Pennlyn, until the death of the latter on August 20, 1887. He then purchased the homestead and operated it for seven years, and at the expiration of this period of time he sold the same to Charles Edward Ingersoll, of Philadelphia, for whom he farmed for three years. In April, 1897, Mr. Murphy purchased the farm owned by Mrs. Phillips, widow of Thomas Phillips, situated on Skippack pike in the vicinity of Center Square. It contains twenty-five acres of highly improved and fertile land which is well watered and drained, being supplied by several streams flowing from never failing springs, and from this circumstance the property has taken the very appropriate name of Springbrook Farm. He cultivates the farm for general purposes, operates an extensive dairy in which are all the modern improvements, and in addition is engaged in the operation of filling silos and harvesting grain and grass, for which purpose he furnishes the machinery and power that is necessary. He has always exhibited a keen interest in local politics, and has served his township in the capacity of tax collector and constable. His affiliations are with the Democratic party.

September 8, 1892, Mr. Murphy married Emma Jacobine Sophia Halberstadt, born June 21, 1869, a daughter of Jacob and Frederica Emma (Ebalt) Halberstadt, of Philadelphia. Mrs. Murphy, in girlhood, attended the public schools of that city and also the Knapp school located at Ninth and Race streets until her sixteenth year, then remained at home and assisted her mother in various domestic duties until her twenty-third year. In 1891 her parents removed to Gwynedd township where they purchased the Bodine farm of twenty-five acres. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy are the parents of two children: Anna Dean, born June 11, 1893; and Charles Fitzwater, born September 10, 1897. The family are members of St. Thomas’ Episcopal church at Whitemarsh.