Biographical Sketch of
Edward Murphy
Transcribed by Robert Schieber Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 708 - 709 Edward Murphy, a resident of Kilbourn City, Columbia county, Wisconsin, was born in the town of Dell Prairie, and is a son of David and Mary (Cusack) Murphy. He has won for himself a good standing in Kilbourn City, and bids fair to attain still more marked success in the not distant future if health and strength remain. David Murphy, the father of our subject, was one of the remarkable men of his time. Born in humble circumstances, oppressed with poverty and privation, he reared a large family to maturity, gave them a good education, and prepared them for an active and honorable career, and passed away at last, full of years and honor. He was born near Limerick, Ireland, November 27, 1835, and died September 27, 1898, leaving he priceless legacy of a good name and an upright character. He came to America in 1841, when his father, John Murphy, brought his family across the ocean and settled near Montreal. He was a shoemaker, and worked at his trade. In 1848 the family came to Wisconsin, and settled on a large farm near Madison. Here John Murphy was very successful. He worked hard, managed wisely, and became quite prosperous. When his wife died he came into Madison and retired from active life. He died in Duluth at the home of a son in 1880. David Murphy was well educated, receiving instruction in the public schools of Canada and Wisconsin, and finishing in the high school at Madison. At the age of seventeen he began life for himself, and for a time worked in the lumber woods. He became foreman of the W. H. Knox Lumber Company, and by strict attention to business gained a very good position. In 1857 he located in the town of Dell Prairie, where he had secured one hundred acres of choice farm land. Upon this he made substantial improvements, including a fine residence, and it is now one of the choicest farms in this highly cultivated region. Seventy-five acres are under cultivation, and the place is very attractive. He was an honored member of the Catholic church, and a trusted officer of the town. He possessed a genial spirit and a social disposition, and was a popular character. He was not an active party man, though interested in public affairs, and ever free to express himself. He was a great reader, fond of the best literature, and fully informed on current affairs. David Murphy and Mary Cussack were married, in July, 1861. She is a daughter of Edmond and Katherine Cusack, pioneer settlers in the town of New Haven, Wisconsin, who did much to improve the country. Mrs. Murphy was born in August, 1845, and is the mother of ten children, nine of whom are still living: John A., born Mary 5, 1863, is an engineer and a resident of Kilbourn City. Margaret E., born August 10, 1868, was educated in the common schools and the Kilbourn high school. She was a successful school teacher for ten years, and is now the wife of Joseph Donahue, a successful farmer in New Haven, Adams county, Wisconsin. David J., born April 2, 1871, lives in Winton, Minnesota, where he is working for a lumber company. Mary, born January 1, 1873, was educated in Kilbourn, where she graduated from the high school, and began teaching when seventeen years old. She was a successful teacher for five years, and in 1895 became a student of the Caton Business College at Minneapolis, from which she graduated in two years. She took a position as stenographer with the N. A. Publishing Company, which she held a year. When her father died she returned home, and resumed teaching in the neighborhood. Celia R., born December 6, 1875, graduated from the Kilbourn high school, and taught school a year. She went to the college of Journalism a year, received a diploma, and is now employed in New York city where she is very popular. Thomas F., born February 2, 1878, lives at home and has charge of the old homestead. William C., born June 1, 1880, works at home. Elizabeth, born October 1, 1882, is a student at the Kilbourn high school. Harry, born April 8, 1885, died October 4, 1893. Edward Murphy was educated in the common school, and when fifteen years of age struck out for himself. He worked first as a lumberman along the Green Bay Railroad for a year, and then went west for some months. He came back to Wisconsin again, and resumed work in the lumber trade. He was with the same company ten years, and by close application to the interests of the company gained a responsible position at Auburndale. He kept a boarding house at Sherry, for the Sherry Lumber company, at Sherry, Wisconsin, four years, and in 1894 located on a farm in the town of Newport, Columbia county. It consisted of eighty-six acres, and received substantial improvements at his hands. He sold it out after a time and moved to Kilbourn, where he was engaged in business for a year, when he sold out. He was married, October 2, 1888, to Miss Maggie Holihan. She is a daughter of Michael and Margaret (Nugent) Holihan. Her parents were pioneer settlers in the town of Dell Prairie, where she was born, and where her father was widely known as a successful farmer. She was educated in the common schools of Adams county, and is a lady of many excellent traits of character. They are the parents of one child, Mary E., who was born May 27, 1899. Transcribers Note: The different spellings of Cusack and Cussack was how it was written.Transcribed by Robert Schieber
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