My Genealogy Hound

EDWARD MURPHY. During the period of his residence in South Bethlehem, of which he is one of the oldest settlers, Mr. Murphy has become well and favorably known by the people of this place. As a business man he is energetic and efficient, his dealings with others being characterized by uniform reliability and fairness. At the present time he is engaged as a contractor with the Bethlehem Iron Company, one of the most prominent concerns of its kind in the state.

A native of Ireland, our subject was born in 1833 to Dennis and Ellen (Canty) Murphy. He was the elder of two children, and was quite young when orphaned by his father’s death. His mother survived her husband for many years, attaining the advanced age of eighty-seven. As the family was poor he was early obliged to depend upon his own exertions for a livelihood, and at the age of ten years began to work upon a farm, since which time he has made his own way in the world. Thus were developed in his character the traits of self-reliance and perseverance that afterward secured his success in the business world.

Believing that America offered better opportuities for a young man without means, he emigrated hither in the fall of 1852, setting sail from Liverpool, and after a voyage of twenty-two days landed in New York City a stranger in a strange land. He proceeded to Pennsylvania and investigated different portions of the state with a view to settling. He was especially pleased with the prospects offered in Bethlehem, and accordingly located at this place. Here he remained until 1862, when he went to California via New York City and Aspinwall. Arriving in San Francisco, he remained in that place for some time, and later went to the mountains in Idaho and engaged in mining for four years. In his speculations in the far West he met with considerable success, but not caring to protract his residence there, he returned to Bethlehem in the latter part of 1868. For a time he engaged in mining iron for the Thomas Iron Company and the Bethlehem Iron Company, after which he contracted with the latter firm, gulling out sluices and opening three quarries for them, which he now operates.

At Bethlehem occurred the marriage of Edward Murphy and Miss Mary Connal, a native of Ireland, who died in Bethlehem. Three children were born to this union, Mary, Bridget and Nora. The second marriage of Mr. Murphy united him with Miss Agnes Sheehen, who was also born in Ireland. Politically our subject has been a loyal Republican ever since coming to the United States, and by that party he has been honored with various offices. For six years he has been a member of the School Board. In 1882 he was elected to the Borough Council from the old Third (now the Fifth) Ward, and since that time has been chosen for the same position at each successive election. As this is a Democratic ward, where at first there were but three Republicans, his election on the Republican ticket proves his popularity with the people irrespective of political affiliations. As Alderman he has served on many of the committees and is at the present time Chairman of the Finance Committee. He is a member of the Industrial Building and Loan Association. In religious connections he is identified with the Church of the Holy Infancy, as is also his wife.