Franklin Murphy | |
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31st Governor of New Jersey | |
In office January 21, 1902 – January 17, 1905 |
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Preceded by | Foster MacGowan Voorhees |
Succeeded by | Edward C. Stokes |
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly | |
In office 1885 |
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Personal details | |
Born |
Jersey City, New Jersey |
January 3, 1846
Died | February 24, 1920 Palm Beach, Florida |
(aged 74)
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Janet Colwell |
Religion | Episcopalian |
Franklin Murphy (January 3, 1846 – February 24, 1920) was an American Republican Party politician, who served as the 31st Governor of New Jersey, from 1902-1905. He was the founder of the Murphy Varnish Company in Newark, New Jersey.
Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, he was attending Newark Academy when the American Civil War started. In July 1862, he enlisted in the Union Army, despite being only 16 years old, and was mustered in as a Private in Company A, 13th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry on July 19, 1862. He rose in rank during his field service, being promoted to corporal on August 25, 1862, to second lieutenant on February 22, 1863, and to first lieutenant on February 24, 1864. His regiment fought in the Battles of Antietam, Chancellorsvile, Gettysburg, the Atlanta Campaign, the "March to the Sea", and Bentonville. He was honorably mustered out of service on June 8, 1865.
After leaving military service, Murphy founded the Murphy Varnish Company in Newark in 1865. In 1868 he married Janet Colwell of Newark and they had two children. In addition to politics, he was involved in several civic pursuits, to include serving as a member of the Essex County Park Commission, a board member for the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, and heading the committee that planned the 250th anniversary of the founding of Newark. Additionally, he served as the President General of the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution from 1898-1900.