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Michael C. Murphy (New York politician) facts for kids

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Michael Cotter Murphy
Michael Cotter Murphy circa 1903.png
1st New York City Police Commissioner
In office
February 22, 1901 – January 1, 1902
Appointed by Robert A. Van Wyck
Succeeded by John Nelson Partridge
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the New York County, 1st district
In office
January 1, 1867 – December 31, 1870
Preceded by William Minor
Succeeded by Michael Madigan
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the New York County, 1st district
In office
January 1, 1881 – December 31, 1883
Preceded by James Fitzgerald
Succeeded by Patrick H. Duffy
Member of the New York Senate
from the 5th district
In office
January 1, 1884 – December 31, 1889
Preceded by John G. Boyd
Succeeded by William L. Brown
Personal details
Born (1839-03-07)March 7, 1839
Kilmallock, County Limerick, Ireland
Died March 4, 1903(1903-03-04) (aged 63)
New York City, New York
Awards Medal of Honor ribbon.svg Medal of Honor
Military service
Allegiance  United States of America
Branch/service United States Department of the Army Seal.svg United States Army
Years of service 1861 - 1865
Rank Lieutenant colonel
Unit New York (state) 11th New York Infantry
New York (state) 170th New York Volunteer Infantry
Battles/wars American Civil War

Michael Cotter Murphy (March 7, 1839 – March 4, 1903) was an American politician from New York, and a recipient of the Medal of Honor during the American Civil War. He was the first New York City Police Commissioner.

Biography

The family emigrated to the United States in 1848. He attended the common schools in Manhattan, New York City and then became a compositor.

Murphy was commissioned as a captain of the 11th New York Infantry (Fire Zouaves) in May 1861, and served with the regiment until transferring to the 170th New York Infantry in July 1862. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 170th New York Infantry in February 1863. For actions while commanding his regiment during the Battle of North Anna, he was later awarded the Medal of Honor. The following month, he was dismissed due to disability. In 1866, he was a general of the Fenian Army which prepared to take part in the Fenian raids on Canada.

Murphy was a member of the New York State Assembly (New York County, 1st D.) in 1867, 1868, 1869 and 1870. In 1870, he was charged with bigamy and was absent from the Legislature for most of the session.

He was again a member of the State Assembly in 1881, 1882 and 1883.

He was a member of the New York State Senate (5th D.) from 1884 to 1889, sitting in the 107th, 108th, 109th, 110th, 111th and 112th New York State Legislatures.

On March 3, 1898, Murphy was appointed by Mayor Robert A. van Wyck as Commissioner of Health of the City of New York, a post which he held for nearly three years, until van Wyck appointed him the first New York City Police Commissioner on February 22, 1901. He remained in office until January 1, 1902, when he tendered his resignation to incoming Mayor Seth Low. Murphy was already in poor health, and could not eat any solid food. Instead, he was fed especially prepared liquid meals through a silver tube inserted into his stomach. Thus he was absent most of the time from his office, and appointed Ex-Chief of Police William Stephen Devery as First Deputy Police Commissioner to take care of the department during his absence.

He died on March 4, 1903, and was buried at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York. Surviving him was his widow, Mary, with whom he had had no contact for more than 30 years.

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