JAMES M. MURPHY, Galion, Ohio.
James M. Murphy was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, November 11, 1857, where his father, Patrick Murphy, a railroad man, was in the employ of the Erie for a number of years previous to moving to Urbana, Ohio, in 1860. After attending school until he was 18 years of age the young man started out into the world to find employment and look after himself. He farmed a short time, but soon abandoned that vocation and entered the employ of the Erie, working in the transfer freight house at Urbana. In 1876 he went to the hoist and worked there two years, when he was placed in charge of it at night. He continued in that capacity until 1881, when it was taken down, and then he went to firing a switch engine in the yards at Urbana. After about a year he was transferred to road service, in which he continued two years, when he was promoted to engineer. Since January, 1884, he has been continuously in the freight service, with occasional extra passenger duty.

He is well known as a highly competent engineer and has made a record for himself as a man of judgment and ability in tight places. Thus it is that he has never had a wreck of any kind in his career on the footboard. On one occasion, when he was pulling the second section of train No. 18, on the Third Division, the train broke into three parts. Mr. Murphy's careful work in catching the cuts averted serious damage, and after the broken parts had been chained up the train proceeded on its way.

He was married February 8, 1888, to Miss B. Anna Graham, daughter of Wiliam Graham, a farmer of near Piqua, Ohio, and two children have come to make their home pleasant. Wilbur J., aged 9, is attending school, while Virgil C., aged 3, is the baby. Mr. Murphy owns fine residence property and is a highly respected citizen of Galion. He is a member of B. of L. E., Division 16; C. K. of O., Branch No. 107, and Crawford Court, Tribe of Ben Hur.

Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.

From the April, 1905 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine
Mr. James Murphy was taken seriously ill on his engine at North Lewisburg, and required the immediate attention of a physician.

From the November, 1905 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine
The mother of engineer J.M. Murphy died at her home in Urbana Oct. 9 (1905).

From the March, 1906 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine
Engineer J.M. Murphy had his ankle badly wrenched at Ashland recently, and was brought to Kent to have the injuries attended to.

From the November, 1914 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
J.M. Murphy was one of 42 engineers invited to a chicken dinner given at Galion, OH by Cincinnati Division engineer John Cronenwett for those Division engineers who did not move from Galion, OH to Marion, OH when the Division headquarters were moved there beginning in 1912. Unfortunately, Engineer Murphy had to work and could not attend.

From the January, 1915 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine
Cincinnati Division engineer J.M. was commended for running his engine for 32,572 miles between October 1, 1913 and September 1, 1914 without any engine failures.

From the October, 1928 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine
James M. Murphy, of 546 Union Street, Galion, OH, who was in the employ of the Erie Railroad and its predecessors for 54 years, recently retired on a pension. His last work was in the Galion yards, where he was engaged in switching. He was born at Jersey City, where his father, Patrick Murphy, was in the employ of the Erie Railroad, and came with his family to Urbana in 1860. After leaving school he got employment with the Atlantic & Great Western railway transfer at Urbana. He continued in various railroad positions at Urbana and, in 1881, began firing a switch engine in the yards there. A year later he was transferred to fireman and two years later was promoted to engineer. When the division headquarters were established at Galion, Mr. Murphy located there. For the past 25 years he had been in the passenger service. Several years prior to his retirement he had a passenger run between Marion and Dayton. Mr. Murphy was a faithful and reliable employe and retires to his cozy home with the best wishes of his superiors and fellow employes.

From the September 13, 1937 issue of the Marion Star:
James Murphy, engineer of Galion, attended the third annual picnic of the Old Timers� Club at Lincoln Park, Marion, Thursday, Sept. 9, 1937. The day was given over to a social time of reminiscing and games. The men�s diversion was horseshoe pitching. The serving of dinner to 60 members and guests was done by the women of the group. A vote of thanks was extended to the women of Snow Drop Division, Grand International Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers for their part in the day�s program. The club will meet at the same place next September.

From the January, 1939 issue of Erie Magazine:
Retired engineer John J. Daze of 472 Windsor Street, Marion, OH, was given a farewell dinner last month on relinquishing his 39-year job as secretary and treasurer of Div. 16 of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers to make his future home with his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Ivans in Chicago. The dinner also marked the 81st birthday of Mr. Daze, C.C. Church and James Murphy, three of the oldest men on the division, and the 74th birthday of George Hackadorn and George Kiehl, retired engineers.

From the January, 1939 issue of Erie Magazine:
Erie engineer James M. Murphy of 343 S. Market St., Galion, OH, who retired in 1928 after 54 years service with the Erie, died in Cleveland on September 1, 1941 at age 83. He had been living with his son, Virgil, manager of a hotel there. Per the death certificate available online at FamilySearch.org, he was born November 11, 1857 in Jersey City to Patrick Murphy and Ann Brown. He was widowed, and his wife was Bridget Ann Graham.