Richard L. Murphy
Encyclopedia
Richard Louis Murphy (November 6, 1875 July 16, 1936) of Dubuque, Iowa
was a Democratic U.S. Senator from Iowa. Elected with President Franklin D. Roosevelt
in 1932, as only the second Democratic Senator from Iowa elected since 1858
, Murphy's service was cut short by his accidental death in 1936, with over two years remaining in his only term.
Louis Murphy was born to John and Anna Murphy in Dubuque, Iowa
, on November 6, 1875. His father was the publisher of the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald
. Louis attended the public schools in Dubuque, including two years of high school, but his earnings were needed at home, so his formal education ended. He began a career in journalism at age 15, by serving as a reporter for the Galena, Illinois
, Gazette from 1890-1892. Returning to Dubuque in 1892, he worked at the Dubuque Times-Journal as a reporter then as a city editor. Upon his father's death in 1902, he became the editor of the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, serving in that position until 1914. He was appointed by the Woodrow Wilson
Administration to serve as collector of internal revenue for Iowa from 1913 to 1920. After the end of that administration, he worked as an income tax counselor from 1920 to 1931, when he retired from active pursuits.
In 1932, he ran as the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat then held by Smith W. Brookhart
. Henry Field seized the Republican nomination from Brookhart. In the general election, Murphy defeated Field by a wide margin, as part of the Democratic landslide that accompanied the election of Roosevelt and defeat of Herbert Hoover
. A chief plank of Murphy's platform was the restoration, as an agricultural relief measure, of the legality of beer.
Murphy served from March 4, 1933, until his death in an automobile accident near Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
, on July 16, 1936. He and his wife were returning to Dubuque from a week's vacation in Hayward, Wis., with Fred W. Woodward, publisher of the Dubuque Telegraph Herald, and his wife, Elsie, according to the Telegraph Herald (July 16, 1936). Murphy's wife, one of three passengers injured in the crash, reported that the accident occurred when a tire blew out when Murphy was driving at low speed, causing it to plunge off an embankment. He was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery, in Key West, Iowa
(a suburb of Dubuque).
With Murphy's death, the Roosevelt Administration lost a reliable ally in the Senate. Although Murphy was replaced by another Democrat, (Guy M. Gillette), Gillette was often at odds with the president, opposing his plan to expand the Supreme Court, and opposing, until late 1941, Roosevelt's support for Great Britain.
At the time of the accident, Mr. and Mrs. Murphy were the parents of five children—Mary, Elinor Ann, Imelda, Ellen and Charles. A sixth child had died in infancy.
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
was a Democratic U.S. Senator from Iowa. Elected with President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
in 1932, as only the second Democratic Senator from Iowa elected since 1858
United States Congressional Delegations from Iowa
These are tables of congressional delegations from Iowa to the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives.-United States Senate:...
, Murphy's service was cut short by his accidental death in 1936, with over two years remaining in his only term.
Louis Murphy was born to John and Anna Murphy in Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
, on November 6, 1875. His father was the publisher of the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald
Telegraph Herald
The Telegraph Herald, locally referred to as the TH, is a daily newspaper published in Dubuque, Iowa for the population of Dubuque and surrounding areas in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin...
. Louis attended the public schools in Dubuque, including two years of high school, but his earnings were needed at home, so his formal education ended. He began a career in journalism at age 15, by serving as a reporter for the Galena, Illinois
Galena, Illinois
Galena is the county seat of, and largest city in, Jo Daviess County, Illinois in the United States, with a population of 3,429 in 2010. The city is a popular tourist destination known for its history, historical architecture, and ski and golf resorts. Galena was the residence of Ulysses S...
, Gazette from 1890-1892. Returning to Dubuque in 1892, he worked at the Dubuque Times-Journal as a reporter then as a city editor. Upon his father's death in 1902, he became the editor of the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, serving in that position until 1914. He was appointed by the Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
Administration to serve as collector of internal revenue for Iowa from 1913 to 1920. After the end of that administration, he worked as an income tax counselor from 1920 to 1931, when he retired from active pursuits.
In 1932, he ran as the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat then held by Smith W. Brookhart
Smith W. Brookhart
Smith Wildman Brookhart , was twice elected as a Republican to represent Iowa in the United States Senate. He was considered an "insurgent" within the Republican Party; his criticisms of the Harding and Coolidge Administrations and of business interests alienated others within the Republican...
. Henry Field seized the Republican nomination from Brookhart. In the general election, Murphy defeated Field by a wide margin, as part of the Democratic landslide that accompanied the election of Roosevelt and defeat of Herbert Hoover
Herbert Hoover
Herbert Clark Hoover was the 31st President of the United States . Hoover was originally a professional mining engineer and author. As the United States Secretary of Commerce in the 1920s under Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge, he promoted partnerships between government and business...
. A chief plank of Murphy's platform was the restoration, as an agricultural relief measure, of the legality of beer.
Murphy served from March 4, 1933, until his death in an automobile accident near Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Chippewa Falls is a city located on the Chippewa River in Chippewa County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 13,661 at the 2010 census. Incorporated as a city in 1869, it is the county seat of Chippewa County....
, on July 16, 1936. He and his wife were returning to Dubuque from a week's vacation in Hayward, Wis., with Fred W. Woodward, publisher of the Dubuque Telegraph Herald, and his wife, Elsie, according to the Telegraph Herald (July 16, 1936). Murphy's wife, one of three passengers injured in the crash, reported that the accident occurred when a tire blew out when Murphy was driving at low speed, causing it to plunge off an embankment. He was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery, in Key West, Iowa
Key West, Iowa
Key West is an unincorporated community in Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, near the extreme southern end of the city of Dubuque. Parts of the community are now within the city of Dubuque, while others are unincorporated. Owing to the presence of U.S. Highways 151, 61, and 52, and the nearby...
(a suburb of Dubuque).
With Murphy's death, the Roosevelt Administration lost a reliable ally in the Senate. Although Murphy was replaced by another Democrat, (Guy M. Gillette), Gillette was often at odds with the president, opposing his plan to expand the Supreme Court, and opposing, until late 1941, Roosevelt's support for Great Britain.
At the time of the accident, Mr. and Mrs. Murphy were the parents of five children—Mary, Elinor Ann, Imelda, Ellen and Charles. A sixth child had died in infancy.