Profile of Richard Murphy
New York State Assemblyman in 1899
Montgomery County, NY
Source: "The New York Red Book, containing the portraits and biographies of its governors, State officers, and members of the Legislature, with the portraits of Congressmen, judges and mayors, the new constitution of the State, election and population statistics, and general facts of interest," by Edgar L. Murlin. Albany: James B. Lyon, Publisher. 1899. pp. 215-216.
Richard Murphy
Richard Murphy, Republican, who represents Montgomery county in the Assembly, was born in Amsterdam, April 27,
1869. In the same city he grew to manhood and began his career of usefulness and honor. He was educated in the
public schools, St. Mary's Institute and Georgetown University, graduating with the latter institution in 1890, with
the degree of LL.B. Before going to Georgetown, he read law in the office of Hon. W. Barlow Dunlap. His examination
for admission to the bar showed that legal principles were rooted and grounded in his mind. He has won a considerable
measure of fame as a practitioner and his clientage has steadily increased until he now stands in the front rank of the
younger attorneys of the city of Amsterdam.
Mr. Murphy made his political debut in 1893, when he was elected Supervisor as a Republican, from the Democratic Third ward of Amsterdam, by a majority which showed his popularity and the confidence reposed in him by the people. His service in the Board of Supervisors was marked from the beginning by a commendable devotion to the public welfare. In 1894 he was re-elected by an increased majority. He was appointed to some of the most important committees of the board, among others the Building Committee, under whose supervision the armory of the Forty-sixth Separate Company in Amsterdam was erected. During his second term, his fellow Supervisors gave evidence of their regard for his ability and character by electing him Chairman, and he filled the place in an admirable manner, presiding with dignity and grace and obtaining a reputation for the fairness of his rulings. He was elected to the Assembly, by receiving 4,977 votes to 4,691 for David M. Kittle of Canajoharie.
In the Assembly of 1898, Mr. Murphy was a member of the Committee on Public Education and State Prisons.
At the fall election of 1898, Mr. Murphy received 6,108 votes; James W. Ferguson, Democrat, 5,597 votes.
In the Assembly of 1899, he was Chairman of the Committee on Public Education, and a member of the following committees: General Laws, Soldiers' Home.