Contra Costa County Biography

WILLIAM HENRY MURPHY

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta, December, 2006.

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
Prominent among the men who were conspicuous and influential in developing and 
advancing the agricultural resources of eastern Contra Costa County was the late 
William Henry Murphy, a son of Thomas Murphy, an honored and esteemed citizen of 
this county, who came to California in 1856. Thomas Murphy, the father of 
William H., was born in County Cavan, Ireland, March 24, 1830. At the age of 
five years his parents left him in the old country with an uncle and came to 
America, residing in New York for five years. Thomas joined them at the age of 
seven. His parents removed to Connecticut. Thomas received a common-school 
education and in June, 1856, he started for California via the Isthmus route. He 
intended to return to New York State in one year, but, liking the climate and 
resources of California, he remained and sent for his family. On joining them he 
went to Napa Valley and followed farming until 1867, when he removed to the 
eastern part of this county and purchased four hundred and eighty acres where 
Knightsen is located. In 1873 he purchased eleven hundred acres in Round Valley. 
At a later time he purchased more land in Round Valley, and had at the time of 
his death, which occurred in August, 1905, sixteen hundred acres. Thomas Murphy 
was married in Mystic, Connecticut, to Miss Alice Ross. To this union have been 
born five children, William H., the subject of this sketch, James B., Annie L., 
Alice, and Hattie. William Henry Murphy was born in Napa, California, and died 
June 9, 1910. He received his education in the Iron House and Eden Plain 
schools, after which he attended the University of the Pacific, at San Jose. 
Finishing his education, he returned to the home place, where he was identified 
with general farming and stock-raising until his death. He was a systematic and 
thoroughgoing farmer, and after his father's death, by his enterprise, rendered 
both ranches the most attractive in this section. He was held in the highest 
esteem by his fellow-men. William Henry Murphy was united in marriage to Miss 
Catherine Braun, a native of San Jose, and a daughter of C. W. and Florentine 
Braun. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy were blessed with five children - Arthur Ray, born 
near Antioch, March 9, 1889; Katie, born near Antioch, July 24, 1890; William 
Henry Jr., born in Round Valley, April 2, 1892; Esther, born in Round Valley, 
June 24, 1895; James Campbell, born at Brentwood, November 3, 1906.
 
Source:  "The History of Contra Costa County, California," Elms Publ. Co., 1917, 
p. 552.