My Genealogy Hound

PATRICK MURPHY, president Miners’ Bank, Joplin Zinc Co., and Joplin Woolen Mills, was born in county Moneghan, Ireland, Jan. 6, 1839. His parents, Michael and Margaret Murphy, were also natives of the Emerald Isle. When about ten years of age our subject immigrated with parents to America, arriving at Philadelphia after a voyage of six weeks. The family located on a farm in Bucks county, Penn. There young Murphy engaged in agricultural pursuits and attended the common schools. His education has largely been acquired from experience and hence is of a practical nature. In 1859 he crossed the plains to Denver, Col., and engaged in prospecting for a time. In August of that year he struck a very rich lead and after several months successful operations returned to the states. Proceeded to Philadelphia, but shortly after came west again, to Leavenworth, Kan., purchased a number of mule teams, and engaged, with a partner, for about five years, in freighting across the plains, with headquarters at Plattsmouth, Neb. His operations extended through Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah. In 1865, under government contract, he transferred goods from Plattsmouth to Fort Halleck, acting as wagon-master for his own train. Crossed the plains in all thirty-one times. On quitting the frontier in 1866 he came to Jasper county and engaged in the mercantile business at Carthage. A half decade later his attention was attracted by mineral developments in this vicinity and in the fall of 1871 he came here, laid out Murphysburg, and established a store on what is now corner First and Main streets. Shortly after engaged in mining on North Main Street, having few conveniences for the work. At first the air furnace was constructed. In 1875, however, the blast furnace displaced the former, and has since been exclusively used. In 1880 the Joplin Water-works were constructed, our subject being chosen vice-president and treasurer. In December, 1881, the present zinc works were established and Mr. Murphy was chosen president of the company. He was also instrumental in organizing and incorporating the Miners’ Bank, of this city, of which he is president and one of the heaviest stockholders. At the organization of the Joplin Woolen Mills Company, in 1882, he was chosen president. In fact few enterprises of considerable importance have ever been carried to a successful completion in Joplin without Patrick Murphy at the helm. He was married in this county Nov. 19, 1868, to Miss Belle, daughter of John S. and Ann Workizer. Mrs. M. was born in Chester county, Penn., in 1846. From this union there are six children: Ida L., Howard C., Frank, Lulu, Minnie, and Nettie. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy have a fine residence on the corner of Fourth and Wall streets. Subject is a man of extraordinary business qualifications. Energetic and enterprising, he is ever awake in public as well as individual matters, and ready to give aid financially and other wise to every worthy enterprise calculated to promote the interests of state, county, and especially of Joplin.