James W. Murphy

James W. Murphy (September 27, 1852 – ?) was an American merchant, farmer and politician who served as a Democratic member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from Marquette County and of the Wisconsin State Senate from Milwaukee County.

Background

Born in Little Falls, New York, he came to Briggsville, Wisconsin with his family in 1854. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in June of 1868. He became a merchant and farmer. As of 1879, he had held the offices of town clerk and town supervisor, and was chairman of the Marquette County board of supervisors;

Assembly and Senate

He was elected to the Assembly for 1879 to represent Marquette County to succeed fellow Democrat William H. Peters, receiving 953 votes against 718 for former Republican Assemblyman Robert Mitchell (running as a Democrat) and 69 for Greenbacker 0. C. Pomeroy. He was succeeded by Republican Charles Kelsey.

He was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate from the Fourth District in 1892, defeating Republican ex-Congressman Isaac W. Van Schaick.^[1]

He is not the same person as James William Murphy, mayor of Platteville, Wisconsin and member of the United States House of Representatives.

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