John E. Murphy (judge)

John E. Murphy (February 13, 1900 – November 1, 1994) was an American jurist and politician who served as presiding justice of Peabody District Court and served two stints in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

John E. Murphy
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the 10th Essex district
In office
1951–1958
Preceded byLouis F. O'Keefe
Succeeded byThaddeus M. Buczko
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the 8th Essex district
In office
1935–1939
Preceded byJohn A. Jones
Succeeded byJoseph F. Luz
Personal details
Born(1900-02-13)February 13, 1900
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, U.S.
DiedNovember 1, 1994(1994-11-01) (aged 94)
Danvers, Massachusetts, U.S.
Resting placeSt. Mary's Cemetery
Danvers, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
RelationsJohn E. Murphy Jr. (son)
Alma materBentley School of Accounting and Finance
Suffolk University Law School
OccupationJudge
Lawyer
Accountant

Early life

Murphy was born on February 13, 1900, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.[1] He served in the United States Army during both World Wars.[2] He graduated from Bentley School of Accounting and Finance in 1922 and Suffolk University Law School and 1926.[1]

Politics

Murphy represented the 8th Essex district in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1935 to 1939. He ran for mayor of Peabody in 1938, but lost to Joseph B. O'Keefe by 709 votes.[3] He challenged O'Keefe in 1940, but lost by a single vote.[4] A recount later expanded O'Keefe's margin of victory to eight votes.[5] Murphy returned to the House in 1951.[2]

Judicial service

In 1958, Governor Foster Furcolo appointed Murphy a special justice of the Peabody District Court.[6][7] He was appointed presiding justice in 1964 and remained on the bench until his retirement in 1972.[8][2]

Death

Murphy died on November 1, 1994, at a rehabilitation center in Danvers, Massachusetts. He was survived by three children, one of whom John E. Murphy Jr., also served in the House of Representatives.[2][9]

References
  1. Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1935-36. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  2. "John E. Murphy, 94 Was justice of Peabody Court". The Boston Globe. November 4, 1994.
  3. "Next Peabody Mayor". The Boston Globe. December 7, 1938.
  4. "Murphy Files Writ for Certification as Peabody Mayor". The Boston Globe. January 3, 1941.
  5. "Peabody Recount Reelects O'Keefe by Eight Votes". The Boston Globe. December 27, 1940.
  6. "Furcelo Eyes Peabody Solon For Judgeship". The Boston Globe. July 15, 1958.
  7. "No Action Taken On Appointment Of Capeless". The Boston Globe. November 21, 1958.
  8. "Rep Smith New Sheriff For Essex". The Boston Globe. May 15, 1964.
  9. Murphy, Jeremiah V. (June 27, 1993). "A pol who forgot the first rule of politics". The Boston Globe.
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