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file part of www.watertownhistory.org website
Straw & Goodrow
J. B. Murphy Co
James B. Murphy
Nicholos Murphy
Straw & Murphy 107 N Water, paint WHS_PC_235.jpg
118 West Main WHS_005_698
James
B. Murphy and his brother Nicholas Murphy both lived in Watertown. James owned a Painting and Decorating Store
and Nicholas was a Stone Cutter. James was married to Emma Charboneau and
Nicholas was married to Mary Alice Casey.
James died: May 9, 1915, in Watertown, WI. Nicolas died: December 30, 1936, in
Watertown, WI.
1908
09 25 Received contract for frescoing St.
John's Lutheran Church at Mayville WG
1908
Ad for J B Murphy [gives 111 W Main;
should be 118?]
1915
05 14 James Murphy
Answers Call Watertown Mourns Death of One of Best Known Businessmen
The many personal friends and acquaintances of J. B. Murphy were much
grieved to hear of his death which occurred at his home in Watertown last
Sunday, May 9, 1915.
For the past fifty years Mr. Murphy has been a well known figure in the
business activity of Watertown commercially and socially. The following extracts are taken from an
extensive obituary notice which appeared in the Watertown papers:
“Mr. James B. Murphy, engaged in business in Watertown for more than half
a century, passed away in the family home, 301 Church Street, Sunday morning,
following an illness of three months.
Mr. Murphy suffered a stroke of paralysis in February, and gradually
failed.
“Born in Richmond, Mass., December 25, 1844, Mr. Murphy was a son of the
late Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew Murphy, who removed with their family to Ohio a
few years after the birth of the son James and came to this vicinity about
1860, settling on a farm in the town of Shields. In 1861, Mr. Murphy came to Watertown and
entered the employ of the painting and decorating firm of Straw & Goodrow.
“His natural artistic talents assured Mr. Murphy an early success in this
line of business and it was only about three years later that he went to
Chicago in response to flattering offers.
Mr. Goodrow retired from the Watertown firm, and Mr. Straw, needing a
partner, made Mr. Murphy an offer which induced him to return to Watertown,
where he rounded out a half century as a master painter and decorator and
dealer in painting and decorating supplies.
Following the death of Mr. Straw, Mr. Murphy became the head of the
firm, which was later incorporated under the name of the J. B. Murphy Company.”
Mr. Murphy was a prominent member of the Knights of Columbus and was
identified with the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of America since its
organization over forty years ago.
He was prominent in the Master Painters Association of Wisconsin and he,
himself, was conceded to be one of the best artists, with the brush, in the
northwest. As a portrait painter he had
few equals and no superiors. Church
decorations in Watertown and all over this vicinity testify to his skill in
that line.
“Mr. Murphy’s marriage to Miss Emma Charboneau took place in Watertown,
February 5, 1879. Their marriage was not
blessed with children, but resulted in a beautiful home life, about which Mr.
Murphy’s interests were largely centered.
Though his talents as a speaker and organizer made his services in much
demand, he preferred to spend quiet evenings and Sundays at home, giving vent
to his talents as painter, draughtsman and musician.
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Murphy and Dobratz |
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Murphy Co., J B |
1909, 118-120 W Main, painters-house & sign |
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Murphy Co., J B |
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Murphy Co., J B |
1935, 111 W Main, decorators |
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Murphy Home, J B |
Image
Portfolio
Click to
enlarge
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Weltburger 1891 drawing |
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Cross References:
No 2:
Charles Straw, Straw & Murphy Painting firm
