Preceded by John Grady Occupation Attorney | Died December 1932 Succeeded by Joseph P. Manning Name John Murphy | |
John Robert Murphy (August 25, 1856 - December 28, 1932) was a Massachusetts politician and attorney who served as the Commissioner of the Boston Fire Department, Chairman of the Boston Finance Commission and in both branches of the Massachusetts legislature.
Contents
- Early life
- Brother in laws death
- Chairman of the Boston Finance Commission
- Boston Fire Commissioner
- 1921 election for Mayor of Boston
- Family
- Death
- References
Murphy was also brother-in-law of Irish poet and journalist John Boyle O'Reilly.
Early life
Murphy was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts on August 25, 1856 to John Murphy and Jane Smiley, he was born into a family of 5 (2 of his siblings passed away before he was born)
Brother in law's death
On August 9, 1890 Murphy took a night walk with his brother in law John Boyle O'Reilly (who was at the time suffering from insomnia) to the Hotel Pemberton in Hull, they returned home at around 12am. As Murphy was leaving O'Reilly said to him "Be sure and be over early in the morning, Jack, so that you can go with me and the children to Mass at Nantasket".
O'Reilly passed away later that morning on August 10, of a chloral hydrate overdose. While Murphy was not the last person to see him alive, Murphy was one of the last people to see him before he overdosed. Murphy along with his niece Mary accompanied O'Reilly's body on a Boston steamer to Charlestown.
Chairman of the Boston Finance Commission
On February 25, 1914 Murphy was named as chairman of the Boston Finance Commission, and under suspension of the rules, he was immediately confirmed by the Massachusetts Executive Council.
Boston Fire Commissioner
In 1919, Murphy resigned from the Boston Finance Commission to accept the office of the Fire Commissioner of Boston.
1921 election for Mayor of Boston
In the Mayoral election held December 13, 1921 Murphy lost to James M. Curley by 2,315 votes.
Family
Murphy married 21 year old Mary Daly on October 24, 1893, they had 4 daughters.
Death
Murphy died on December 28, 1932 at the age of 76.