John W. Murphy

John William Murphy (April 26, 1902 – March 28, 1962) was a United States Representative from Pennsylvania and a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

John W. Murphy
Murphy with his wife Ella at their wedding
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
In office
1955–1962
Preceded byAlbert Leisenring Watson
Succeeded byFrederick Voris Follmer
Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
In office
May 27, 1946  March 28, 1962
Appointed byHarry S. Truman
Preceded byAlbert Williams Johnson
Succeeded byWilliam Joseph Nealon Jr.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 10th district
In office
January 3, 1945  July 17, 1946
Preceded byJ. Roland Kinzer
Succeeded byJames P. Scoblick
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 11th district
In office
January 3, 1943  January 3, 1945
Preceded byVeronica Grace Boland
Succeeded byDaniel J. Flood
Personal details
Born
John William Murphy

(1902-04-26)April 26, 1902
Avoca, Pennsylvania
DiedMarch 28, 1962(1962-03-28) (aged 59)
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Resting placeSt. Catherine's Cemetery
Moscow, Pennsylvania
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of Pennsylvania (B.S.)
University of Pennsylvania Law School (LL.B.)

Education and career

Murphy was born in Avoca, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.[1][2] His father, Edward T. Murphy, was a coal miner, and he worked as a mine slate picker after his father's death.[3] Murphy attended the public schools, then received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1926. He received a Bachelor of Laws from University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1929. He was admitted to the bar in 1929 and commenced private practice of law in Scranton, Pennsylvania from 1929 to 1943. He was an assistant district attorney of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania from 1934 to 1941. He was a United States Representative from Pennsylvania from 1943 to 1946.[1][2]

Congressional service

Murphy was elected as a Democrat to the 78th and 79th United States Congresses and served from January 3, 1943, until his resignation on July 17, 1946.[2] Murphy served on the Joint House-Senate Committee to investigate the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1945. That led to a close friendship with Vice President Alben W. Barkley, who headed the Senate side of the investigation.[3]

Federal judicial service

Murphy was nominated by President Harry S. Truman on May 7, 1946, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania vacated by Judge Albert Williams Johnson. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 21, 1946, and received his commission on May 27, 1946. He served as Chief Judge from 1955 to 1962.[1] He served on the Committee of Operation of the Jury System in the United States Courts of the Judicial Conference of the United States.[3] His service was terminated on March 28, 1962, due to his death in Scranton.[1]

Other service

Murphy was a member of the Board of Managers of the University of Pennsylvania Law School and Chairman of the Board of Advisors of Marywood College.[3]

Interment

Murphy is interred in St. Catherine's Cemetery in Moscow, Pennsylvania.[2]

Honor

Murphy was made a Knight of the Cross of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher in an investiture ceremony at St. Patrick's Cathedral on September 10, 1960.[3]

Family

Murphy married Ella Heffron and had four children.

References

  1. "Murphy, John William - Federal Judicial Center". www.fjc.gov.
  2. United States Congress. "John W. Murphy (id: M001099)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  3. "John W. Murphy, U.S. Judge, Dies". The New York Times (pg 33). 29 March 1962.

Sources

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Veronica Grace Boland
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 11th congressional district

1943–1945
Succeeded by
Daniel J. Flood
Preceded by
J. Roland Kinzer
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district

1945–1946
Succeeded by
James P. Scoblick
Legal offices
Preceded by
Albert Williams Johnson
Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
1946–1962
Succeeded by
William Joseph Nealon Jr.
Preceded by
Albert Leisenring Watson
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
1955–1962
Succeeded by
Frederick Voris Follmer
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