USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County, California : including its geography, geology, topography, climatography and description > Part 90
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R 2146 Henry Phelps. D & 1 2917
Geo. F. Baker ..
W. Z. Angney .. D & 1 3131|W. Z. Angney ...
OFFICES.
SUPERVISORS: District No. 4.
II. M. Leonard ..
160 11. M. Leonard S. F. Ayer W. II. Rogers [W. N. Furlong.
H. M. Leonard | 247]S. F. Ayer .. .... 324 W. II. Rogers 327 W. N. Furlong ... . .
422 11. M. Leonard S. F. Ayer. II. 11. Main
S. Rea.
S. Rea ..
At Large ... JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. San Jose Township.
Gee. May W. M. Williamson .. M. S. Wilson
819 Geo. May 627 /W. M. Williamson
1065 R. B. Buckner 933, R. I. Barnett ..
1216 R. B. Buckner.
1971|R. B. Buckner. 170%
Santa Clara
228 G. C. Jenkins
306 E. B. Stiles
232 E. B. Stiles
496 F. W. Cleaneay
446
Burnett
C. Piatti
16 G. Fitzgerald 15 E. A. Esworthy
22.L. Pinard ..
35 L. Pinard
46
Redwood
A. S. Luse. F. Dresser
95 F. Dresser
113|HI. J. Bradley P. Dowdy Win. J. Day ..
237 J. J. Robb.
230
Fremont
J. L. Chandler.
157 Win. Page.
149 N. Eaton ..
195 1. M. Paul.
196 R. B. Fink.
344
Alviso
=
W'in. Erkson
20 C. W. Vandegrift. 17 H. Wade
26 C. W. Vandegrif 18 J. Pelle .
48 C W. Young.
31
Almaden
Ralph Lowe
101 Ralph Lowe .
111 AA. Sellman.
135 T. S. Shaw
131 .1. S. Shaw
267
106 M. McPherson
110 W. S. Taylor
2|M1. MePherson
189
Milpitas
. 6
.I. R. Weller
67 .I. R. Weller
68 M. Barthel
21 E. Tapham.
54 | A. F.ench
75
CONSTABLES.
San Jose Township
(. T. Cottrell
1286 II. A. De Lacy
958 R. T. O'Hanlon
1516 Jacob Hobson
1285
J. R. Hall.
1206 J. K. Hall ..
1513 .1. R. Hall
1659 J. R. Hall
1640
Santa Clara
J. E. Haight
515 1. E. Haight.
313 J. E. Haight
311 W. W. Squire 362
343 J. Lard.
203
Burnett
J. F. Phegley
6 R. Anderson 41 |J. B. Peppin .
29 E. Frost
41 Thos. Fisher
24
Redwood
J. 11. Lyndon
209 E. A. Kennedy
164 S. D. Bishop
306 S. D. Bishop .
299
Gilroy
A. G. Hinman
436 A. G. Hinman
346 G. E. Bennet!
268 G. E. Bennett. .
254
Fremont
E. Burke.
C. Van Buren
157 1. Baumgartner
272
Alviso
R. A. Wade
52 C. E. Wade 49 E. Mailott.
47 E. Marlott.
23
Almaden
Richard Jacka ..
16- lohn Job ..
117 John Job.
311 John Job. .
126
Milpitas
M. Pixley
117 B. Clarke ..
81 J. J. Schemmerhorn
16
M. Pomeroy
122|A. C. Wise
10 Scott Miller
3
Notes, 1871-2-3.
Jan. 4, 1872-J. C. Hutchinson to be Constable, Redwood Township. Jan. 15, 1872 - Francis Dresser to be JJustice of the Peace, Redwood Township. Aug. 13, 1872 James Swinerten to be Justice of the Peace, Santa Clara Town- ship, vice Squires, resigned. Oct. 7, 1872 G. M. Mason to be Justice of the Peace, Gilroy Township. Feb. 3, 1873-J. R. Hall to be Constable, San Jose Township.
Notes. 1873-4-5.
Feb. 2, 1871 J. J. Sontheimer to be Justice of the Peace, Almaden Township.
Feb. 3, 1874-1. L. Albough to be Constable, Redwood Township, rice Somer- ville, failed to qualify. April 6, 1874 F. B. Smith to fill unexpired term of E. W. Harrison, as Public Administrator. May 5, 1874 - J. A. Shoemaker to be Constable, Santa Clara Township, rice Moulin, resigned. Dee 7, 1574-Win. Page to be Justice of the Peace, Fremont Township, rice Chandler, resigned. March 1, 1875 - John Chisholm to be Constable, Redwood Township.
789
COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
II. M. Leonard ..
..
S. F Ayer .. H. H. Main
1818 |W. P. Veuve (city ) .. 396
1143
Sam. Morrison
165 J. S. Dilley .
211 F. W. Cleancay 22 M. W. Drinkwater 15 E. A. Esworthy ..
228 F. W. Cleaneay 25 G. W. Wilson.
66
M. W. Drinkwater
110 J. L. Dowd.
139 A. S. Luse.
191 A. S. Luse.
202|J. M. Whipple
294 1. Dowd ..
130
Gilroy
R. B. Bnekner
233
248|P. Dowdy
356 P. Dowdy
147
146
B. O'Brien.
77 R. JJenkins
106.J. Mckibben
1º5 Walter Henderson
205 Walter Henderson .. 36 John Karr
3>
..
R. Shields
.
J. B. Moulin .
271 A. B. Singleton
4.2 E. E. Burke
17 R. Anderson
41 E. Frost ..
54
J. B. Peppin
156 R. S. Moultrie .
136|J. Bolton
254[R. S. Moultrie.
11. M. Wilson
357 Thos. Dougherty
443 T. Dougherty
347 A. G. Ilinman ..
209
163 S. A. Menzemer
223 S. A. Menzemer
231
169 E. Burke .. 198 C. Van Buren
218 J. Baumgartner 26 0. P. Emerson 36 E. Marlott.
-14 J Pelle
24
-
G. Berreyessa
William Yeager.
167 Wm. Yeager
120 Win. Paull.
312 J. Moyle.
186
62 J. J. Schemmerhorn 47 A. French
A. French.
63 A. Freuch
53 A. French
21
277 J. F. Tobin
210
C. C. Beal
226
45 John Karr
E. J. MeKean
+4 5.
6. 7
1127 J. W. Johnson.
S. Somerville.
Table showing the County and Township Officers of Santa Clara from 1850 to 1881 Inclusive .- Continued.
June 7, 1875-G. C. Jenkins to be Justice of the Peace, Santa Clara Township, vice Wilson, resigned.
Notes, 1875-6-7.
Nov. 1, 1875-A. B. Singl ton to be Constable, Santa Clara Township, vice Shoemaker, resigned.
Jan. 6, 1876-C. 11. Clement to be Supt, of Schools, vice Kennedy, resigned. Feb. 16, 1876-A. McMahon to be County Physician.
March 6, 1876-1. K., and Anna Reasoner to be Supt. and Matron of County Infirmary. March 7, 1876-Wm. S. Taylor to be Justice of the Peace, Almaden Township, vice Lowe, resigned.
April 6, 1876 R. Anderson to be Constable, Burnett Township. July 3, 1877 E. W. Briggs to be Constable, Fremont Township.
Notes, 1877-8-9
Sep. 11, 1877-E. E. Burke to be Constable, Santa Clara Township, vice Single- ton, resigned. Oct. 1, 1877-J. Frost to be Constable, Burnett Township.
Nov. 5, 1877-S. D. Bishop to be Constable, Redwood Township. Jan. 8, 1878-Martin Hobin to be Constable, Burnett Township, rice Anderson, resigned. Feb. 4, 1878-Dr. J. B. Cox to be County Physician.
Feb. 5, 1878-John E. Edson to be Constable, San Jose Township, vice De Lacy, resigned.
March 5, 1878-Isaiah Moyle to be Constable, Almaden Township, vice Paull, resigned. July 2, 1878-J. L. Dowd to bo Constable, Redwood Township, vice Bolton, resigned. July 15, 1878-HI. F. Dusing to be Justice of the Peace, Almaden Township, vice Taylor, resigned. Feb 3, 1879-J. E. Foster to be Justice of the Peace, Redwood Township. Notes, 1879-80.
Nov. 4, 1879-3 W. Johnson to be Justice of the l'eacc, San Jose Township, vice Barnett, resigned.
Dec. 8, 1879-James Snow to Supervisor Dist. No. 2, vie. Townsend, resigned. Feb. 2, 1880 Dr. Ben. Cory to be County Physician.
March 1, 1880 -- E. E. Peppin to be Constable, Burnett Township.
March 2, 1880 -T S. Shaw to be Justice of the Peace, Almaden Township.
April 5, 1880 -- W. M. Williamson to be Justice of the Peace, San Jose Township, vice Johnson, deceased.
May 4, 1850 -Harry Wade to be Justice of the Peace, Alviso Township, vice Young, failed to qualify.
May 4, 1880-W. Jeter to be Constable, Redwood Township. June 9, 1880 -- Jo8. Peters to be Constable, Fremont Township. July 6, 1880 -- R. Brown to be Constable, Fremont Township.
By order of the Board of Supervisors made pursuant to act of Legislature of 1880, the number of Justices in each Township was reduced to one, except Redwood, Fremont and Almaden, which are allowed two. The number of Constables was reduced in same manner.
790
HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
BIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN MURPHY, JR.
THIS gentleman, one of California's earliest Territorial pioneers, whose portrait will be found the first in the History of Santa Clara County, was born in the year 1807, at Balnamough, County Wexford Ireland, and is descended from an ancient family whose genealogy is lost in, the vague dawn of Hibernian tradition. His life from infancy to the attain- ment of man's estate was passed amid those historic scenes which have on one side, Oulercree, whose venerable towers overlook that lovely vale in which it so beautifully nestles, seemingly proudly conscious of having once been the home of Leinster's long line of kings while on the other is the poetie town of Enniscorth. Towering above the a ljacent country stands Vinegar Hill, which has so many times witnessed those splendid displays of valor that have fired the Irish heart with the hope of Ireland's independence. April 9, 1828, Mr. Murphy, accompanied by his sister Mary (now Mrs. James Miller of Marin county), embarked to join his father in America, who had eight years before sold his farm and set out with the younger members of his family to build up a home in that inviting and more hospi- table country. Passage was taken on board the Thomas Farrell, a packet that plied between Wexford and Quebec. Trouble soon commenced, how- ever, for, when but three days out, stress of weather compelled them to seek refuge in Waterford harbor, where two weeks were compulsorily passed in recaulking and making good other defects. While in this port many of the passengers, fearful of facing the dangers of the deep, left the vessel and abandoned the voyage. In due time the good ship was once more ready for sea-the Blue Peter at the fore-the anchor was weighed and the voyage again undertaken, happily with success and in the remarkably short time- for steamers were then unknown-of twenty-eight days. Arriving in Quebec, Mr. Murphy allowed not the grass to grow beneath his feet-he went to work with a will; he employed his time like most others of those days and put " his shoulder to the wheel." Then he met, courted, and married Mary Bulger, a lady who has through long years buoyed him through life and still shares the blessings that the world and a course of unerring recti- tude have brought to them and their children in a yet green old age. We are proud to state that it has been our privilege to meet Mrs. Murphy-and a privilege it is for any one to hear her genial voice speak of events that occurred which to us to-day seem wrapt in the mist of the almost unknown
792
.
HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
past. Mr. Murphy was wedded on the 18th of July, 1831, and with his wife remained in Quebec until the year 1832, when, cholera breaking out, he proceeded to and joined her father at Frampton, who had settled there twelve years before, where the subject of our sketch purchased two hundred . acres of land and settled thereon. Undeterred by the vast natural obstacles, with a whip-saw Mr. Murphy cut the lumber from the felled monarchs of the forest brought down by his own hand, and with these primitive planks in the heart of this primeval region built a home -- a roof-tree for his wife and self. In the meantime, the father of our subject had left for the then far West-what is now the densely-populated State of Missouri, but the gentleman, a narrative of whose life we write, remained until September, 1842, in which month the township of Frampton was thrown into a gloom of regret by the departure and leave-taking of Martin Murphy and his family, who had also determined to remove to Missouri. He left behind him his first two children in the little church-yard of St. Edward's. Time has noted among its many changes the disappearance of this little church where the devout of the parish flocked from far and near to receive the consola- tions of religion; to be strengthened in their holy faith with the refreshing words of the gospel. To those who look back over those bygone years, will, with softened remembrances of those Sunday gatherings in the wilds of Canada, learn with regret that the little graveyard and its vicinity is now overrun with thicket, wildbriar, and underbrush, concealing every evidence of a former civilization and destroying all the landmarks that affection had reared over dear and familiar friends who there sleep the long repose which awakens only with the dawn of eternity. The glowing accounts of friends in the United States of the milder condition of government induced Mr. Murphy to place himself and his family under the protection and benign influence of American institutions. As a matter of curiosity, the journey of this little band from Canada to Missouri undertaken nearly forty years ago may be of interest to those who to-day fly over the same distance linked to the iron horse of progress. From Quebec they steamed up the St. Lawrence to Montreal; thence across Lake St. Louis; from here once more on the bosom of the mighty river to Kingston ; again across lake Ontario; up the Niagara river to Lewiston, just below the falls; from Lewiston to Buffalo; from Buffalo across Lake Erie to Cleveland, Ohio; then by canal to Portsmouth on the Ohio river; from here by steamer to Cincinnati; whence they pro- ceeded to Louisville, Kentucky; thence down the Ohio to Cairo, and travel- ing on the Mississippi, the "father of waters" to St. Louis. From here they proceeded up the Missouri to the Platte Purchase, a few miles below the present flourishing City of St. Joseph, which in those frontier days was the site of a solitary mill where corn was ground for the settlers. Here our party landed and were conveyed in wagons to a place called "English
793
BIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN MURPHY.
Grove," the name of a farm owned by an Englishman, around whose house stood like sentinel's a few tall trees, which in that timberless country assumed the dignity of a grove. Here Mr. Murphy purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, devoted himself to the cultivation of corn and wheat, and intended to make Missouri his home for the remainder of his life. Happily for Santa Clara county and valley, such, however, was not his destiny. The ague, that terrible malarial affection so prevalent in newly- opened countries adjacent to the Mississippi and its tributaries, assailed the family and carried off Ann Elizabeth, his only daughter, born but six short months previously. About this time Martin Murphy, senior, who had a few years before " blazed" the way to this far-off, western frontier, lost his beloved wife-a victim to the same malignant fever. These circumstances, together with a lack of educational facilities and the remoteness from the saving influence of religion, suggested to Mr. Murphy's father the advisa- bility, of moving to some more healthful climate, where his children might receive the advantages of education and be reared in the faith of their fathers. These views were strengthened by conversation with Father Hookins, a Catholic priest, whose medical skill had contributed to the relief of the suffer- ing colony. He gave them glowing descriptions of California, into which country his labors among the Indians had called him. His graphie stories of its Catholic missions, the salubrity of its climate and the fertility of its soil decided them upon undertaking the dangerous journey of the pathless prairies, the unforded rivers of the trackless Sierras. Consequently after a residence of less than two years, Mr. Murphy told his family to prepare for the trip to California, and selling his farm at a great sacrifice started for the place of rendezvous, Council Bluffs, now an important city but then a mere Indian post. Here their co-voyagers were met, the party consisting of eleven wagons, twenty-six men, eight women, and about a dozen children. Let us give the names: Dr. John Townsend and wife; Martin Murphy, Sr .; Martin Murphy, wife and four sons-James, Martin S., Patrick W., Bernard D .; James Murphy, wife and one child-Mary F .; Bernard Murphy (unfor- tunately killed on board the Jenny Lind in 1853); Miss Ellen Mur- phy (the present Mrs. Weber of Stockton); John M. Murphy, Daniel Mur- phy, James Miller, wife and four children; Allen Montgomery and wife, Captain Stevens, Mr. Hitchcock, Mrs. Peterson and family, Mat Harbin, Moses Schallenberger, John Sullivan, his sister and two brothers, Robert and Mike; John Flomboy, Joseph Foster, Oliver and Francis Marguet, Mr. Mas- tin, Sr., Dennis Mastin, Pat Mastin, John and Brittain Greenwood, and old Mr. Greenwood. About May 1, 1843, these intrepid pioneers started from Council Bluff's to undertake the untried journey which lay before them, little thinking of its thousand dangers and vicissitudes, hardships enough to deter the bravest. They little knew when venturing toward that " undiscovered
794
HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
country," that they were to be among the earliest argonauts of the greatest commonwealth in this great Union of Empire. In the language of the gifted niece of Mr. Murphy, whose genius has illumined the poetry of the Pacific shores and won bright chaplets of national renown :-
"Pioneers! name that like a conjurer Summons all the past before our eyes ;- Toils, struggles, wants, and hardships, Perils, dangers, sacrifice."
Pioneers ! well may you say like Cæsar, "I came, I saw, I conquered!" Yes, more; you can say that you remained, and by your industry built up a com- monwealth freer and more enduring than the empire of Rome itself. The pioneers of America, fleeing from an unrelenting persecution, braved the dangers of the ocean in the hope of finding beyond a haven of repose and safety, were not surrounded by such a multiplicity of dangers nor subjected to so many terrors as the early pioneers of California were compelled to con- front in their journey through the untraversed wild of the Great West. The long and uncertain march on the plains, attendant with its ills, its nat- ural inconveniences and possible starvation, was enough to deter ordinary individuals from so hazardous an undertaking. These dangers, however, were trifling when compared to the tortures which the savage might inflict, or, the actual and intense suffering from cold, when snow-bound and shelter- less 'in the mountains during the rigorous inclemency of a severe Winter. Let us picture a band of pioneers, houseless and scantily clad, overtaken in the mountains by one of those fearful storms which drives the wild animal to his lair in terror, and that to-day even impedes the progress of overland trains despite the scientific precaution of snow-sheds, and snow-plows, then we will have a faint idea of the labors and sufferings to which our pioneers were subjected in early days. Some of these noble souls may be prostrate with sick- ness, burning with fever or shaking with ague, yet there is no skillful hand to administer relief. Mayhap their supplies are exhausted, and possibly the grim, ghastly spectre of starvation is reigning in their midst. Ah! many a pioneer can trace his backward course by the mounds of long-neglected graves which mark the way. Fitly indeed should California enshrine the memory of her honored pioneers. Gallant men, long will your names be remembered, for California herself will remain the sublime monument of your creation; yes, as long as her seal-covered cliffs shall continue to dash back the waters of the mighty Pacific. The Missouri river was crossed at Traders' Point, near Bellevue. Thence the present line of the Central Pacific railroad was followed, and the Elkhorn river crossed in boats improvised from wagon-beds covered with rawhides to make them water-tight. Thence their course was directed to Pawnee, Loupe, or Wolf river; then on line of the present railroad along the Platte river to the North Fork of the Platte.
795
BIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN MURPHY.
Thence up the North Fork of the Platte to the Chimney Rock and Scott's Bluffs; then along the north side of the Platte toward Laramie; thence to Independence Rock on the Sweetwater. At this point the caravan halted for a few days to await a reinforcement, which arrived there in the person of Miss Ellen Independence Miller, whose fascinating manners have since formed no little attraction to the guests of her father's hospitable and handsome home at San Rafael. The Sweetwater river was followed up through South Pass in Nebraska to the summit of the Rocky Mountains. The Little Big Sandy river was crossed to Green river, to what is known as "Sublette's Cut-off;" in Wyoming Territory. At this point the weary travelers were sur- prised by a party of Indians, whose demonstrations were probably made more with the intention of striking the pale-faces with terror at their strength and formidableness than to commit any hostile act. The band of braves after having surrounded the party, and having gone through the most approved maneuvers of Indian tactics, as laid down by some dusky Upton of that day, came forward and were friendly. Some of them were so friendly, that whenever an opportunity offered itself, they did not fail to furtively appropriate any trifling souvenir which they could conceal about their persons. The journey was continued from here to Bear river, and down Bear river to Soda springs, Idaho; thence to Old Fort Hall, on Snake river, Washington Territory; down Snake river to Goose creek; up Goose creek to about the City of Rocks; thence to Thousand Spring valley; to the head of the Humboldt, then known as St. Mary's river; up to its "sink;" thence to Steamboat springs; to the Truckee; up this river to what is now known as the town of Truckee. Truckee now is one of the most flourishing lumber centers west of the Rocky mountains. From this point the party passed on to what is now known as Donner lake, but then christened by the Murphy party, Truckee lake, in acknowledgment of valuable aid rendered by their Indian guide. Here, tarrying a few days, they erected a log cabin, which Mr. Murphy only saw again when two years later he proceeded to the spot to relieve the ill-fated Donner party. From this point Mr. Murphy crossed the summit of the Sierra Nevada to the Yuba river, where they pitched their tents; and the able-bodied men, after getting their cattle from the snow-clad heights, proceeded in quest of some settlement whence a fraternal hand and brotherly assistance might be obtained. On this voyage of discovery they first saw the hospitable haven of Fort Helvetia, so familiar in our mouth as Sutter Fort. Here they learned the intelligence of hos- tilities between Micheltorena and Pio Pico, and being pressed into the service of the government were marched to Soledad (now in Monterey county), where our subject with his comrades, on explanation, received permission to return to his anxious family and friends, who, during their absence, had been deprived of manly aid, and were almost destitute of the proper means
796
HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
of subsistence. On their return to Sutter's Fort they provided themselves with provisions, and started to rejoin their families. They had not pro- ceeded more than half way when they were met by James Miller, who told them of want suffered in the camp, an intimation which put action into their hearts, and urged them on to the relief of their well-tried companions. On their return welcome joy was pictured on every face, justice was done to fresh provisions, and for a few days well-earned rest was won. Here, from December until March, 1844, were the party encamped; and while at this place the first child of white parents born in California saw the light. This was a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Martin Murphy, a young lady who received the name of Elizabeth, and afterwards became Mrs. Wil- liam P. Taffe. About the latter part of the month of March the camp was broken up, and following the Yuba river down in a southerly direction, and striking the head-waters of Bear river, and crossing the "Deep Hollow " near Johnston's ranch, situated close to the foot-hills in the Sacramento valley; thence to Sutter's Fort, where they inet Bidwell and company. The many incidents of this trip would make an interesting volume. At Pawnee Loupe the Pawnees and Sioux were at war, but neither tribe molested the travelers. The fact that so small a party crossed through so great a stretch of Indian country unguarded by any escort, is a good guarantee of their sagacity and justice in their treatment of the savages. At Truckee, or Winnemucca, the party divided; Daniel, Jolm, and Miss Ellen Murphy (now Mrs. Weber, of Stockton), Mrs. Townsend, Oliver Magnan and his brother, branched off and went down to lake Tahoe. Daniel Murphy was the first white man to gaze on the placid bosom of that beautiful lake Between the Platte river and Fort Laramie there was a large tribe of bad Indians, but the party was always fortunate in having no trouble, because they always treated the Indians kindly, and consequently were allowed to pass undisturbed. The saddest incident of the trip occurred near Fort Hall, where a young man, who was traveling with the party, died. He was with a gentleman named Shaw, who was driving a lot of sheep to Oregon. The young man was buried on the lonely plain, and his coffin was made from boards contributed by the different parties from their wagon-beds. Mr. Shaw continued with the party as far as the sink of the Humboldt, when he branched off to Oregon. His are the first sheep recorded to have crossed the plains. When the party arrived at the sink of the Humboldt, an Indian, namned Truckee, advised them to follow the river, which they did. In gratitude to him for his services they named the river after him, and also gave his name to a lake. This was the Indian who guided them into California.
Thus far have we followed Mr. Murphy's footsteps across the then truly " boundless prairies, over the snow-clad peaks of the Sierras, and into the fertile slopes of the California valleys. His wagons were the first to make
797
BIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN MURPHY.
a mark on these unknown wastes, his cattle were the first to be driven over the trackless sea of virgin country, to him be the credit then of having been able to find himself ready to equip a farm and make a settlement. He early purchased a property on the American Fork, from a man named Rufus. comprising two leagues, and there dwelt until 1850, when he disposed of it and removed to Santa Clara valley, when he purchased the homestead on which he now resides. It is no small pride to us to be able to give so full and complete a narrative of Mr. Murphy's carcer, for it is not often that we have it in our power to follow the movements from boyhood to maturity of one so worthy-of such a true pioneer. Martin Murphy is to-day what he has always been, a man true to himself, true to nature, and true to God. We leave him and his most worthy spouse with the simple, yet heart-felt expres- sion, that they may both be spared long years of health, peace, and happiness.
The golden anniversary of their wedding was celebrated on the 18th of July, 1881, with all the éclat that wealth could throw around it, and the thousands of friends who paid their respects on that day loudly demon- strated the high estimation in which Martin Murphy and his family is held by the people of California, who look upon him who first broke a wagon trail across the Sierras as the avant courier of a higher civilization. Mr. Murphy desired to see his friends on this occasion, but utterly refused to dis- criminate by issuing invitations. He wanted to take no chance of over- looking any of them. His friends are so numerous and so widely scattered over the State, that it would be hardly possible that some would not be over- looked, unless a general invitation was extended. Consequently arrangements to that effect were made. A dancing pavilion one hundred feet square was laid down; hundreds of feet of tables were built, with sitting capacity for a thousand, and immense wine cellars were improvised and crammed with the choicest vintage of foreign lands. His vast herds and flocks were held sub- ject to the order of the butchers, and San Jose and San Francisco were placed under contri bution for all the delicacies they could furnish, and taken all in all, the festival was the largest private affair and the viands distrib- uted with a more princely prodigality than at any similar fete in this or any other State, and could compare only with those holiday occasions when the regal Elizabeth used to go down with her courtly retinue to fête the country people at Woodstock and be for a few days the royal guest of the lordly Leicester. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy's family consist of: Patrick W. (twice Senator, once Assemblyman, and at present General of the Tenth Division of the National Guard of California-a resident of San Luis Obispo county); Bernard D. (the present Mayor of San Jose, and who has represented Santa Clara county in both houses of the State Legislature); Mary Ann (now Mrs. Richard T. Carroll, of San Francisco); Ellen G. (now Mrs. J. R. Arques, of Santa Clara county) ; James T. (now a prominent grain merchant of San
798
HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
José, and one of the first Bank Commissioners for the State of California. In concluding this biography, as well as the history of Santa Clara county, we would observe that if there is any special honor due to our pioneers, the fame indisputably belongs to Martin Murphy, Senior, and his family. Truly we say, Palmam qui meruit ferat. Honor to whom honor is due, and thus we fittingly close our labors, thankful that we have been placed in a position to put on record a fact which though patent to all is yet, however, sometimes unremembered.
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formi 410
FEB 1 6 1927
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