Joseph T. Murray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Thomas Murray
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Joseph Thomas Murray
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| Born | May 12, 1834 Salem, Massachusetts, US
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| Died | January 27, 1907 (aged 72) Springfield, Massachusetts, US
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| Citizenship | United States |
Joseph Thomas Murray (born May 12, 1834, died January 27, 1907) was an amazing American. He was an inventor, a factory owner, and someone who fought to end slavery. He also worked closely with the famous inventor Thomas Edison.
Contents
Early Life and Adventures
Joseph Thomas Murray was born in Salem, Massachusetts. His father, James Murray, came from England. James was a mathematician and worked for the United States Senate.
Moving to Newark
In 1844, when Joseph was ten, his family moved to Newark, New Jersey. A year later, at age eleven, Joseph wanted to be a sailor. He sailed to Africa with his uncle.
Life in Benin
Sadly, his uncle treated him badly. Joseph jumped off the ship as soon as he could. He lived for six months with local people in Benin. This was where he first saw how terrible slavery was.
Learning a Trade
After returning to Massachusetts, Joseph started training at age 14. He worked at The Everett Mills in Lawrence, Massachusetts. There, he learned how machines work and became a skilled machinist. For two years, he also worked as a postmaster in Danvers, Massachusetts.
Fighting for Freedom
Joseph Murray became an abolitionist in 1848. This meant he strongly believed that slavery should be ended. He worked with other important abolitionists like John Greenleaf Whittier.
Helping the Underground Railroad
Joseph helped slaves escape from the South to the North. He was a connection for the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom. He also knew William Lloyd Garrison and Wendell Phillips, who were famous for fighting against slavery.
Facing Danger
Once, a US Marshal named Charles Devens arrested Joseph. This happened while Joseph was helping a runaway slave get into Boston. During the American Civil War, Joseph served as a soldier. He was part of the 35th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
Working with Thomas Edison
In October 1870, Joseph Murray started working for Thomas Edison. He and George Harrington hired Joseph to work at American Telegraph Works. This company made equipment for telegraphs, which sent messages over long distances.
Starting Companies Together
In February 1872, Joseph and Edison started their own small company. It was called J.T. Murray and Company. They also made telegraph equipment. In 1873, they changed their company to Edison and Murray. They also took over another company that had closed.
New Partnerships
In 1874, Edison, Murray, and another inventor named Jarvis B. Edson started a new company. It was called the Domestic Telegraph Company. Even though Edison and Murray officially stopped being partners in July 1875, Edison kept using and improving products that Joseph had made.
Later Life and Inventions
Joseph Murray continued to invent new things throughout his life. At one point, his inventions were worth a lot of money. However, his financial situation changed a lot over the years.
His Passing
In 1907, Joseph T. Murray died from pneumonia. He passed away at his daughter May Murray's home in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Inventions and Patents
Joseph Murray received patents for his inventions. A patent is like a special license that protects an inventor's idea. Here are some of his patents:
- U.S. Patent 413,081 - Journal Bearing - 1889-10-15
- U.S. Patent 519,795 - Lamp Wick - 1894-05-15
