The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-03-29

vive the war and return home. Her prayers were answered
 Hon. Joel b. Murphrec attended in his youth, such schools as his nelgADornoOd aHorded, which were meager Al Il years Of age, his father, needing his ser vices, took him from school, and from that time until his aiority ne was con- tinuously employed as salesman in his fathers store. For his last years ser vices he received $500, with which he and his brother-in-.aw, Urban l.. Jones, com menced business at Troy Ala, (mer- chandising). the firm being Murphree & Jones. Their business prospered until the commencement of the Confederate war. 1881, at which time their estimated wealth was $75.0O0 After the cessation of hostilitles, they resumed business at Troy, which continued about two years, when they dissolved partnership, After which MT. Murphree was engaged in vari- ous honorable pursuits. The results of the war caused the unavoidable failure of nearly every merchant in the South. all of whom were owing more or less to houses in New York and other Northern cities. Those who were able to pay any thing. compromised their liabilities at from 10 to 50 cents on the dollar. MT. Murphree could have done the same, but preferred to pay 100 cents. which he says was the proudest act of his life; not only SO, but the payment of the full amount at that time gave him a standing in the commercial world that has been worth ten times the amount he could have saved by compromise, besides the satisfaction of mind of having done the right thing by his creditors. His wealth is now esti- mated at $1COOO0. A great man has well said that success is the rule by which men must be tried" Tried by this rule, Mr. Joel n. Murphree will stand the test in very nearly all departments of life. He grew to wealth with this people. but not in disregard of his good name. He maintained for himself the bearing and position Of a gentleman. honest in his dealings with men. and upright in what ever business he might be engaged.
 His life had an object in view, and that object was the honest accumu!ati tion of fortune. which should he useful to him self and to others; useful to business and morals, to society and religion. His sue cess Is largely due to his temperate hab- It's, honesty and personal attention to the details of his business. MT. Mur- phree is now. and has been from his youthI strong advocate of the cause Of temperance, and has contributed to the press many articles in its advocacy. He regards the traffic in intoxicating liquors as a great sin. and an impeachment to civilization. and never fails to condemn 1t upon all proper occasions. He has been a member of Troy Lodge, No. 66, F. and A. NJ. since May 1850, and served the same as secretary for fifteen years; he is also member of Tyrian Chapter, No. 54. In 1891. being the oldest mem Der of the lodge, he delivered, by re- quest. an address on Practical Freema- sonry," which Clicited high Commenda- ton. In politics Mir. Murphree is sound Democrat always voting for the nominees of his party In 1855 he was defeated for the Legislature by the Know Nothing Party. but in 1857 was triumph Rntly elected to that body, and was again chosen in 1872. Tn 1875 he was nominated and elected member of the Constitu- tlonal Convention; he was again elected q member of that body in 1901. and assisted in framing the present Constitution of the State He was Chairman of the County Executive Committee of his coun- ty for fourteen years, reaching tn 1890. at which time he was displaced at the instance of the Alliance Party. IIc has often been delegate to political con ventions of his county and State. and in 1884 was q delegate to tho National Con Nentton at Chicago. that nominated Cleye- land and Hendricks
 The marriage of Mir Murphrce took place January lS 1S55 to Miss Ursula A. Mullins. laughter of Thomas K. and Amelia Mullins. wlo came from Ice county, Ca. ani settled in Pike Coun- Y' f'la.. in l42. Mrs Murphree Is a native "f Georgia, and was born April F. l@2 Th"v have five children born to the in the following order: Jose nbIOR Wife if ID
 Thomas F., Allie. wife of I S rarroIl, Joel D., Jr. and Kettle. wife of I II WilkerS"n. MT. and Mrs. Murphree are members of the Baptist Church. and are ever foremost in church work and church