Franklin Murphy

Franklin Murphy (born January 3, 1846 in Jersey City , New Jersey , † February 24, 1920 in Palm Beach , Florida ) was an American politician and governor of the state of New Jersey from 1902 to 1905 .

Early years and political advancement

Franklin Murphy attended Newark Elementary School . Despite his youth, he joined the Union Army in 1862 during the Civil War at the age of 16. He took part in several battles and was first lieutenant at the end of the war. On June 8, 1865, he retired from the army. After the war, he founded the Varnish Company in Newark.

Murphy was a member of the Republican Party . Between 1883 and 1886 he was city councilor in Newark and temporarily its president. In 1885 he was also a member of the New Jersey General Assembly for one term . From 1886 to 1889 he was also the curator of the Jamesburg Reform School for Boys . Between 1892 and 1904 he was chairman of his party in New Jersey. He then exercised this function again between 1907 and 1910. In 1900 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention , at which incumbent William McKinley was again nominated as a candidate for president. In 1901 he was an envoy to the world exhibition in Paris . On November 5, 1901, Franklin Murphy was elected governor of his state against James M. Seymour , the Democratic candidate .

Governor of New Jersey

Murphy took up his new office on January 21, 1902. In his three-year tenure, he was able to implement some progressive measures. Among other things, the Child Labor Protection Act was improved and the education system reformed. A sanatorium for tuberculosis patients was also established at that time . The fees in the district and state administrations were abolished. In addition, the pre-election principle was introduced in New Jersey during Murphy's tenure. Due to a constitutional clause, he was not allowed to run again directly in the gubernatorial elections of 1904. He supported his party friend Edward C. Stokes , who was then also elected as his successor.

Even after the end of his governorship, Murphy remained politically active. He was chairman of his party in New Jersey and a delegate at all federal party conventions of his party until his death in February 1920. In 1908, he was even a candidate for the office of US Vice President under discussion. Franklin Murphy was married to Janet Colwell, with whom he had two children.

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personal data
SURNAME	Murphy, Franklin
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	January 3, 1846
PLACE OF BIRTH	Jersey City , New Jersey
DATE OF DEATH	February 24, 1920
Place of death	Palm Beach , Florida