On March 16, 1865, Mr. Murphy laid down the burden of life. He went peacefully to rest, “like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams.” Supported by the consolations of religion, surrounded by his children, the venerable pioneer passed away, sincerely mourned by all. I quote here a few lines taken from the tribute to his memory offered by F. B. Murdock, a pioneer editor of California:
We have known Mr. Murphy personally and well for the last twelve years. He seemed to enjoy as good health, and look as young a few weeks before his death as when we first saw him twelve years ago. He was in many respects a remarkable man. He was always gentlemanly, always kind and considerate, with a countenance singularly mixed with an expression of gravity, gentleness and cheerfulness. We don’t think he had an enemy, we never heard of one; we never heard any one speak of him except in terms of high respect. Truthfulness, conscientiousness and natural goodness, in its broad sense charity, were prominent marks in his character. We never heard Martin Murphy, Sr., say an unkind word of a single being, living or dead—we have often heard him utter a word of excuse or apology, something to extenuate when others were condemning. Certainly that was a most beautiful Christian trait in his character, and it is not to be wondered at that such a man should live beloved and respected and die regretted.
These sentiments voiced the feelings of the immense concourse that attended the solemn funeral rites at St. Joseph’s church, San José, heard the eloquent eulogy of the deceased pronounced by Rev. Father Kenny, S. J., and followed Mr. Murphy’s remains to their last resting place in the Catholic graveyard in Santa Clara.
As a token of respect for Mr. Murphy, and that all who desired might attend the funeral, the County Court adjourned immediately upon opening on the 18th.
Realizing the wide influence of Mr. Murphy’s long years of gentle unostentatious virtue, it is not too much to say in closing this brief notice of his life, that “the world is better because he lived.”
Mr. Murphy married early in life. His wife was Mary Foley, daughter of Daniel Foley of Enniscorthy, Ireland. Of Mr. and Mrs. Murphy’s children, Martin, James, Margaret, Johanna, Mary and Bernard were born in Ireland, Helen, John M. and Daniel in Canada.
Martin married Mary Bulger; died Oct. 20, 1884.
James married Anne Martin; died Jan. 14, 1888.
Margaret married Thomas Kell; died Dec. 30, 1881.
Johanna married Patrick Fitzgerald; died Dec. 28, 1899.