Biography of Joseph F. Murphy

Identified with the dairy industry for more than twenty years, ever since he left school as a youth, Mr. Murphy has been for many years one of the best-known and most highly regarded men in the dairy industry in Newport. Both as manager of the Aquidneck Dairymen’s Association and, more recently, as president and manager of the Aquidneck Ice Cream Company, Incorporated, he has shown himself exceptionally able. These two enterprises, among the leading establishments of their kind in Rhode Island, owe much of their success and prosperity to Mr. Murphy.

Joseph F. Murphy was born at Newport, on October 1, 1893, a son of Dennis J. and Julia A. (O’Neil) Murphy. His father, a native of Carmel, Maine, was for many years the proprietor of a livery stable and also was successfully engaged in farming, continuing to be active in these two directions until his death. Mr. Murphy’s mother is a native of Fall River, Massachusetts. Educated in the public schools of Newport and at St. Joseph’s Parochial School, Newport, Mr. Murphy, as soon as he left school, worked for his father in the latter’s dairy business. Eventually he took over this undertaking and continued it on his own account until 1918. In that year he was made assistant manager of the Aquidneck Dairymen’s Association, of the board of directors of which he also became a member at that time. Six years later, in 1924, he became general manager of the association, in which capacity he has continued to serve ever since, with much credit to himself and to the great benefit of the association and its members. In April, 1930, Mr. Murphy bought out the ice cream department of the association and at that time changed its name to Aquidneck Ice Cream Company, Incorporated, of which he has been president and manager ever since. The headquarters of the business are located at No. 17 Chapel Street, Newport, where, under Mr. Murphy’s capable management the business enjoys a steady growth and a healthy prosperity. Mr. Murphy is a member of Newport Council, No. 256, Knights of Columbus; Aquidneck Grange, Patrons of Husbandry; Division No. 1, Ancient Order of Hibernians; the Newport Rotary Club; the Newport Chamber of Commerce and the New England Association Ice Cream Manufacturers. In politics he is independent, while his religious affiliation is with St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church of Newport. His favorite sport is baseball and for many years he has been an ardent baseball fan.

Mr. Murphy married, in 1918, Marie Vanicek, like himself a native of Newport. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy have three children:

  1. Margaret F. Murphy.
  2. Barbara Murphy.
  3. Joseph F. Murphy, Jr.

Source: Carroll, Charles. Rhode Island: Three Centuries of Democracy, vol 3 of 4. New York: Lewis historical Pub. Co., 1932.

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