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ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
Straw & Goodrow
J. B. Murphy Co
James B. Murphy
Nicholos Murphy
118 and 120 West Main Street
Straw & Murphy 107 N Water, paint WHS_PC_235.jpg
118 West Main WHS_005_698
James
B. Murphy and his brother Nicholas Murphy both lived in Watertown. James owned a Painting and Decorating Store
and Nicholas was a Stone Cutter. James
was married to Emma Charboneau and Nicholas was married to Mary Alice
Casey. James died: May 9, 1915, in
Watertown, WI. Nicolas died: December
30, 1936, in Watertown.
1843
Memorial for
Simeon P. Straw and wife, Martha, 1841.
Straw, a painter for J B Murphy died 7-30-1843. Wife died 6-27-1841.
Date? 
Crayon point
illustration of woman by J. B. Murphy
1863
06 25 ADAM’S
PAINTING AND GRAINING PATTERNS
A New and Beautiful Style of Graining.
Mr. Drew Straw, an experienced and skillful painter in this city, has
just introduced an entirely new and superior system of graining. With the exception of the Village of Fort
Atkinson, he has obtained the exclusive right of using in Jefferson and Columbia
counties Adam’s Painting and Graining Patterns, which enable the operator to
produce the most perfect and beautiful imitations of Rosewood, Oak, Black
Walnut, or any other wood that may be preferred. The rapidity and accuracy with which the work
is done, combined with the finish and fineness and durability of the
imitations, will make this method supersede all others heretofore in use . . .
Fine specimens of Mr. Straw’s work with his new patterns may now be seen at the Robinson House, the painting of which has been
done by him. There is no failure or
humbug about this new and useful invention and we strongly commend Mr. Straw to
the favor of all who wish to unite taste and economy in adorning the interior
of their dwellings. WD
1864
03 17 STRAW
& GOODROW: PAINTING AND GRAINING
Messrs. Straw & Goodrow, both skillful and experienced in their
business, are now prepared to do all kinds of house and sign painting. In graining and beautifying dwellings they
use Adams’ Patent Grainer, which gives them the means of imitating with
astonishing accuracy our choicest woods, such as mahogany, oak, maple, black
walnut, or any other variety that may be preferred. This method is far superior to any other
heretofore used and for beauty, durability and cheapness, will be preferred
wherever its merits are known. We
cheerfully commend this firm to the favor of the public as gentlemen who
thoroughly understand every department of their business. WD
10 13 MOVED
Messrs. Straw & Goodrow have changed their place of business to
the west side of the river, one door north of Howell’s and nearly opposite the
Lindon House, where they may be found in the future, ready, as in the past, to
execute all orders with neatness and dispatch.
WD
10 27 HOUSE
AND SIGN PAINTING AND GRAINING
Having associated ourselves together for the purpose of carrying on
the painting business, we are prepared to receive orders for any work in our
line, such as house painting, glazing, paper hanging, etc. Special attention paid to graining with
Adam’s Patent Graining Machines. We have
the controlling right to use them in the county. Call and examine our specimens of graining
produced by this new, beautiful, cheap and unsurpassed style. Our shop is in the Democrat block, on Main
Street, just west of W. C. Fountain’s drug store. D. Straw, J. Goodrow. WD
09 14 HOUSE AND SIGN
PAINTING AND GRAINING
similar to previous 1865
ad, but new address here
Having
associated ourselves together for the purpose of carrying on the painting
business, we are prepared to receive orders for any work in our line, such as
house painting, glazing and paper hanging, etc.
Special attention paid to graining with Adams’ Patent Graining Machines.
As we
have the controlling right to use them in this county, call and examine our
specimens of graining, produced by this new, beautiful, cheap and unsurpassed
style.
Our shop is one door north of R. &
H. S. Howell’s store, West Water Street.
D.
STRAW,
J.
GOODROW. WD
1878
02 20 CRAYON DRAWING OF FIRE CHIEF MARSHAL
SCHULTE
The opening and
reception by the members of the Phoenix Fire
Company last Saturday evening was a pleasant affair . . . The Company’s meeting room was a surprise to
everyone; its fine tasty appearance, its floor nicely carpeted and the walls
decorated with handsome pictures, principally representing scenes in the life
of an American Fireman not forgetting, however, the excellent crayon of Chief
Marshal Schulte from the pencil of J. B. Murphy, and a present to the company
from Straw & Murphy.
1889
Beynon & Murphy,
milling devices, ad, James B. Murphy
1891
Weltburger,
1891 drawing
1904 Murphy and Dobratz, Joseph
Wolfram obit, 118-120 W Main St, Painters and Wallpapers
1906
-- -- LARGE
OIL PAINTING OF A COW
By J. B. Murphy, Watertown artist and merchant
1908
09 25 Received contract for frescoing St.
John's Lutheran Church at Mayville WG
1908
Ad for J B Murphy [gives 111 W Main;
should be 118?]
1909 118-120 W Main, painters-house & sign
04 02 Chi-Namel demonstration WG
09 17 Decorate Burnett
Lutheran Church WG
10 01 Color Guessing
Contest at the Inter-County Fair WG
1910
1912
03 21 PAINTERS,
DECORATORS, DEALERS IN WALL PAPER, PAINTS, OILS AND GLASS
The development and perfection of
social tastes and refinement are nowhere displayed to better advantage than in
the aims and desires of society to beautify and decorate the home, and the
demand for attractive designs and superior taste in artistic painting,
frescoing and house decorating generally has enlisted the intelligent and
clever handiwork of men possessed of superior facilities for decorative art.
Among
the accredited leaders in this city in this branch of business is the J. B.
Murphy Co., who are the pioneers, having been established in 1864. J. B. Murphy, the senior member of the firm,
is thoroughly experienced in all branches of the business. He was born in the old state of Massachusetts
and came to Wisconsin in 1860. In 1864
he commenced the painting and decorating business in Watertown, as an
apprentice, and afterwards, in 1869 he became a partner in the same
establishment and the firm was Straw
& Murphy, which continued successfully for twenty-four years.
In 1908
the company was incorporated with J. B.
Murphy as president and treasurer and A. E. Schebstadt [Albert]
superintendent of painters. They occupy
two stores, 118 and 120 West Main Street, of which we present in this issue one
illustration. In the salesroom the
elegant stock of wall paper is very handsomely arranged. They are the exclusive agents for the best
makers of wall paper in the United States, and also carry a fine line of
imported paper. Here can be found a
large stock of paints, oils, glass, brushes, picture frames, window shades,
machine oil and homemade boiled linseed oil.
They are also wholesale dealers and jobbers in illuminating and
lubricating oils.
The number of our churches, public buildings
and fine residences that are so much admired by visitors to the city are the
artistic work and decorations of the J. B. Murphy Co., and we can also add that
some of our most successful painters learned their trade with this company. WG
08 08 JAMES B.
MURPHY AT WAUSAU
In its write-up of the Master Painters' Convention at
Wausau last week, the Wausau Daily
Record-Herald of August 1st says of James B. Murphy of this city:
"James B. Murphy, a delegate from Watertown, and
the oldest master painter in this state in point of service, as the first
business of the morning session today gave a very interesting lecture on relief
ornamentation and frieze work [a broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted
decoration, esp. on a wall near the ceiling].
He demonstated the different methods and principles upon a
blackboard.
"This lecture," as one of the delegates
expressed it, "is one of the most valuable and instructive yet presented
before the organization, and its influence will be felt in the painting fraternity
for years to come.” When the speaker
concluded his address with an example of harmonious lettering in the words,
"Hurrah for Wausau," an enthusiastic audience accorded him a rising
vote of thanks, three cheers, and a "tiger" in appreciation of his
learning." WG
1913
01 30 CORBY
CLUB BANQUET
Monday evening James B. Murphy and wife gave a banquet to
the members of the Corby Club at their home in Church Street. Their guests had been invited to come to
their home attired in old-time costumes, and the arrival of each lady in
grotesque finery brought forth much laughter.
The host and hostess had particularly fine old-time costumes. The banquet was a delicious one, at which
many fine toasts were responded to, including Miss Marie Killian's history of
the club and Mr. Murphy's humorous views of an outsider. At the conclusion of the banquet Miss Ruth
Duffy gave a splendid reading and all present joined in singing old-time songs,
ending up with "Auld Lang Syne.”
The entire evening’s program was interesting, amusing and most joyful
and the guests were unanimous in their expressions that Mr. and Mrs. Murphy
were adept at giving old-time entertainments, with a bounteous share of
old-time hospitality. WG
02 13 BUILDINGS FOR SALE
The store buildings owned by Charles
E. Straw, located at northeast corner of West Main and North Water streets
and occupied by J. B. Murphy Co. Inquire
of Skinner & Thauer. WG
09 27 NEW STORE AT 111 W. MAIN ST
The J. B. Murphy Co. is now located in their new store at
111 W. Main St., west of Stapleton's drug store. The senior member of the J. B. Murphy Co.,
James B. Murphy, was located in the former quarters for nearly half a century,
and around the old place much sentiment hovers, and though it was with much
reluctance Mr. Murphy removed to new quarters, he is now so comfortably located
and everything looks so neat, new and up-to-date in his present stand that we
are sure he will feel well repaid for a change of base.
Our citizens will find the Murphy Co., in their present stand, in
a better position than ever to cater to their wants in anything in their
line. WG
1914
02 26 MOVED
TO 111 E. MAIN
The J. B. Murphy Co has removed across the street to No. 111
Main Street, next to Stapleton’s drug store.
Special bargains at present time.
WG
1915
Ad, painters,
decorators, artists’ supp, 111 W Main
02 18 A SLIGHT
STROKE OF PARALYSIS
In its write-up of the Master Painters' Convention at
Wausau last week, the Wausau Daily Record-Herald
of August 1st says of James B. Murphy of this city: WG
05 13 DEATH OF JAMES B. MURPHY
One of Watertown’s
Oldest and Most Esteemed Businessmen.
At 7
o’clock on Sunday morning, May 9, 1915, James B. Murphy died at his home, 301
Church Street, of paralysis, with which he had been a sufferer since February
last. Since then, however, he was able to be
downtown on several occasions and it was hoped that he would be restored to
health, but about a week previous to his death, it became apparent that he was
gradually becoming weaker, and his wife, relatives and intimate friends fully
realized that his death was only a matter of a short time.
Mr.
Murphy was born in Richmond, Massachusetts, on December 25, 1844, being a son
of the late Bartholomew Murphy and wife.
He removed to Ohio with his parents when a small child and later the family
came to Wisconsin and settled on a farm in the town of Shields, Dodge
county. In 1861 Mr. Murphy entered the
employ of Straw & Goodrow, painters and decorators of this city and three
years later he went to Chicago and was employed at the same line of work.
When Mr.
Goodrow retired from the firm of Straw & Goodrow, Mr. Straw induced Mr.
Murphy to return here and go into partnership with him, and for the past half
century he has been engaged here as a master painter and decorator, and dealer
in all kinds of painting and decorating supplies.
On the death of Mr.
Straw, Mr. Murphy continued the business with different partners, and a few
years ago incorporated the business under the firm name of the James B. Murphy
Co., in which name it was conducted up to the time of his death.
Aside
from his busy business life, he found time to assist and take an interest in
other lines of work that was of benefit to our city in a social and business
way. He was a charter member of Watertown Council
No. 1478, Knights of Columbus, and served three years as its Deputy Grand
Knight. He was well known to members of
the fraternity throughout the state and was a highly honored member of that
patriotic and magnificent benevolent organization. He was also a charter member of the Master
Painters’ Association of the state and was its president in 1906. At their annual meetings he usually had an
address to deliver and what he had to say always was of great interest to the
members of that craft.
When the
Wisconsin State Catholic Total Abstinence Association was a powerful temperance
organization in the state, Mr. Murphy was president for many years of St.
Bernard’s Total Abstinence society, and for many years was leader of
St. Bernard’s brass band.
He was
well versed in music and took great interest in it up to the time of his
death. He was also a charter member of
the Out Door Art Association and took a very active part in the efforts of this
organization to beautify our city. He was a public-spirited man in every sense
of the word and did much to advance the interest of our city, both in a
material and moral way.
On February 5, 1879,
he was married to Miss Emma Charboneau, who survives him. Five brothers and one sister also survive
him, being John Murphy, Tacoma, Wash.; Mrs. Thomas McCoy, Fond du Lac; Nicholas
Murphy, Watertown; Patrick Murphy, Milwaukee; Matthew Murphy, Three Rivers and
Joseph Murphy, Portland, Oregon.
Funeral
services were held Wednesday morning at 9:30 o’clock at St. Bernard’s
church. Interment was made in St.
Bernard’s cemetery. A delegation of the
Knights of Columbus attended in a body, and the following
members of the order were pallbearers.
Edward Sipp, grand knight; James W. Moore, past grand knight; Otto C.
Hahn, advocate; James J. Prendergast of the Madison council K. of C., and Neil
Boyle of the Portage council K. of C., and Edward J. O’Byrne of Watertown
council.
In the
death of Mr. Murphy his devoted wife has lost one of the very best of husbands and
our city a citizen whom we will all greatly miss, for Mr. Murphy was of that
class of intelligent business men that is of great benefit to any community,
not only in a material manner, but in a moral sense, to an eminent degree. His good example was always an inspiration to
young and old to lead better lives, and many there are who were induced to lead
better and purer lives by his kind words of advice and his own good
example. In his chosen profession he
ranked with the very best in the whole country.
In art, he was an idealist, and he took greater pleasure in advancing in
his profession than he did in accumulating this world’s goods and seeking
honors that so many people run after nowadays.
He was a
man who made friends and invited confidence without intensively seeking
either—-a modest, winning, earnest man of real worth, you were drawn to him
intuitively. The quick look of sympathy and
innate good will that on occasion sprang to and suffused his thoughtful face,
in a most kindly, cordial manner, was an inspiration for many of us — he has
gone, but he will live in the memory of his friends for many a day. His noble
character, his influence for good, will long survive him.
Among
those from out of town at the funeral were a delegation of master painters from
Milwaukee; Patrick Murphy, Miss Murphy, Mrs. Mallaney, Thos. J. Fleming and
wife, Miss M. Finnegan and Frank Lothamer of
Milwaukee; Mrs. Celina Carriveau Fritzinger of Grand Rapids, Wis.; Dr. W. F.
Whyte, James and Miss Mary Prendergast of Madison; Otto J. Kirschensteiner and
County Clerk John Welch of Jefferson; George Charboneau of Rockford, Ills.;
Mrs. Sarah Flanagan and Miss Annie Quigley of Chicago; Neal Boyle and wife of
Portage; Richard Quentmeyerof Columbus; Theo. P. Hemmy of Juneau. WG
05 14 JAMES MURPHY ANSWERS
CALL Watertown Mourns Death of One of Best
Known Businessmen
The many personal friends and acquaintances of J. B. Murphy were much
grieved to hear of his death which occurred at his home in Watertown last
Sunday, May 9, 1915.
For the past fifty years Mr. Murphy has been a well known figure in the
business activity of Watertown commercially and socially. The following extracts are taken from an
extensive obituary notice which appeared in the Watertown papers:
“Mr. James B. Murphy, engaged in business in Watertown for more than half
a century, passed away in the family home, 301 Church Street, Sunday morning,
following an illness of three months.
Mr. Murphy suffered a stroke of paralysis in February, and gradually
failed.
“Born in Richmond, Mass., December 25, 1844, Mr. Murphy was a son of the
late Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew Murphy, who removed with their family to Ohio a
few years after the birth of the son James and came to this vicinity about
1860, settling on a farm in the town of Shields. In 1861, Mr. Murphy came to Watertown and
entered the employ of the painting and decorating firm of Straw & Goodrow.
“His natural artistic talents assured Mr. Murphy an early success in this
line of business and it was only about three years later that he went to
Chicago in response to flattering offers.
Mr. Goodrow retired from the Watertown firm, and Mr. Straw, needing a
partner, made Mr. Murphy an offer which induced him to return to Watertown,
where he rounded out a half century as a master painter and decorator and
dealer in painting and decorating supplies.
Following the death of Mr. Straw, Mr. Murphy became the head of the
firm, which was later incorporated under the name of the J. B. Murphy Company.”
Mr. Murphy was a prominent member of the Knights of Columbus and was
identified with the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of America since its
organization over forty years ago.
He was prominent in the Master Painters Association of Wisconsin and he,
himself, was conceded to be one of the best artists, with the brush, in the
northwest. As a portrait painter he had
few equals and no superiors. Church
decorations in Watertown and all over this vicinity testify to his skill in
that line.
“Mr. Murphy’s marriage to Miss Emma Charboneau took place in Watertown,
February 5, 1879. Their marriage was not
blessed with children, but resulted in a beautiful home life, about which Mr.
Murphy’s interests were largely centered.
Though his talents as a speaker and organizer made his services in much
demand, he preferred to spend quiet evenings and Sundays at home, giving vent
to his talents as painter, draughtsman and musician.
-- -- 1915
DEATH OF MR. MURPHY
OBITUARY
- James B. Murphy, past president of the Wisconsin State Association of Master
House Painters and Decorators, died last month at his home 301 Church
Street. He was born in Richmond, Mass,
December 25, 1844. In 1861 Mr. Murphy
came to Watertown and entered the employ of the painting and decorating firm of
Straw & Goodrow. His natural
artistic talents assured Mr. Murphy an early success in this line of business
and it was only about three years later that he went to Chicago in response to
flattering offers. Mr. Goodrow retired
from the Watertown firm and Mr. Straw, needing a partner, made Mr. Murphy an
offer which induced him to return to Watertown where he rounded out a half
century as a master painter and decorator and dealer in painting and decorating
supplies. Following the death of Mr.
Straw Mr. Murphy became the head of the firm which was later incorporated under
the name of the J. B. Murphy Company. It
is stated of Mr. Murphy that he educated more Workmen in the art of painting
and decorating and turned them out as first class mechanics than any other
paint shop in Wisconsin. [ Source
]
1916
06 27 FRANK ENDERS PAINTINGS AT ST. HENRY’S
Robert Goeldner and son Alfred, Julius Goeldner and
Frank Enders of Milwaukee, were in Watertown Sunday visiting relatives and
renewing old acquaintances. This is Mr.
Enders first visit to Watertown in 30 years and at that time when he was here
he and the late J. B. Murphy painted several pictures in St. Henry’s church. He claims Watertown
sure has changed some. Watertown Weekly
Leader, 06 27 1916
1935 J. B. Murphy Co., 111 W Main, decorators
Cross References:
Charles
Straw, obit, Straw & Murphy Painting firm
Brandt
house, J B Murphy, family friend of E J Brandt, did work on house
Murphy Home, J B, Charboneau, Louis, Architect
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin