William Tayloe Murphy (May 6, 1901 – November 16, 1962) was an American politician and businessman from Virginia. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1940 to 1942 and from 1948 to 1959. He was Virginia State Treasurer from 1942 to 1947.

W. Tayloe Murphy
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
In office
1948–1959
In office
1940–1942
Virginia State Treasurer
In office
1942–1947
Preceded byJohn M. Purcell
Succeeded byJesse W. Dillon
Personal details
Born
William Tayloe Murphy

(1901-05-06)May 6, 1901
Mount Holly, Virginia, U.S.
DiedNovember 16, 1962(1962-11-16) (aged 61)
Warsaw, Virginia, U.S.
Resting placeYeocomico Episcopal Church Cemetery
Kinsale, Virginia, U.S.
SpouseKatherine Griffith
Children2, including W. Tayloe Jr.
Alma materCollege of William and Mary
Occupation
  • Politician
  • businessman
  • bank president

Early life

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William Tayloe Murphy was born on May 6, 1901, in Mount Holly, Westmoreland County, Virginia, to Mary (née Tayloe) and Robert Murphy.[1][2][3] He was educated at Alexandria City High School and the College of William and Mary. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.[3]

Career

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Murphy served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1940 to 1942. In 1942, he was appointed as state treasurer by Governor Colgate Darden. In 1948, he served again in the House of Delegates until his retirement in 1959.[1][3][4] He was author of the Revenue Bond Act, a plan to finance the construction of a toll bridge system in eastern Virginia. He was chairman of the Chesapeake and its tributaries committee. He also served on the appropriations, game and inland fisheries, and insurance and banking committees. He served on the governor's advisory board and on the state advisory council on the Virginia economy.[1]

Murphy was a member of the Warsaw Council and served as president of the Northern Neck State Bank in Warsaw for 20 years starting in 1939. He also served as chairman of the board at the Northern Neck State Bank before 1959. He was a trustee of the University of Virginia School of Business Administration and helped form the Northern Neck Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission.[1][3]

Murphy succeeded Rodney M. Coggin as president of Tidewater Telephone Company. He served as president from July 1958 to 1962.[1][2] He was director of the Virginia Independent Telephone Association, the Virginia Electric and Power Company and Standard Products Inc. He was a member of VEPCO's executive committee.[1]

Personal life

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Murphy married Katherine Bradford Griffith of Richmond County in 1924. They had two children, Ann Elmoine and W. Tayloe Jr.[1][3] He was an Episcopalian.[3]

In 1961, Murphy was diagnosed with cancer and he died a year later of it on November 16, 1962, at his home in Warsaw.[1][5] He was buried in Yeocomico Episcopal Church Cemetery in Kinsale.[2]

Awards

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In 1961, Murphy was named Richmond County's outstanding citizen by the Richmond County Ruritan Club.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Tayloe Murphy, Former State Treasurer, Dies". The Bee. November 16, 1962. p. 4. Retrieved September 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  2. ^ a b c "Va. Leader W. T. Murphy Dies at 61". Richmond News-Leader. November 16, 1962. p. 12. Retrieved September 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  3. ^ a b c d e f "W. Tayloe Murphy, 61, Dies; Political, Business Leader". Richmond Times-Dispatch. November 17, 1962. p. 4. Retrieved September 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  4. ^ "Tayloe Murphy Dies at N. Neck Home". The Free Lance–Star. November 16, 1962. p. 5. Retrieved September 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  5. ^ "Tayloe Murphy". Richmond News–Leader. November 16, 1962. p. 14. Retrieved September 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.