Historic Hood River
The Old House Where I Was Born
3-7-2024
Notes
This fine old image made its way into the Photo Cave in-basket last year. It has this descriptive inscription:
This is our old home where I was born, June 19 1861. In the picture are my mother, Lillie A Murphy, sister Ida, and Nora Murphy and myself– B.L. Murphy. Hood River Oregon, August 5 1934.
According to this 1907 article B. L. Murphy was the instructor at the Barrett School. He is later listed as the principal. It is not clear from the inscription where this home was, but I don’t see mention of Mr. Murphy in Hood River prior to 1907. In the 1900 census he was living in Monmouth Oregon. Perhaps that’s where he was born.
Here is a nice image of Professor Murphy with a Barrett School class.
Jeffrey Bryant
Byron Lincoln Murphy’s death certificate indicates he was born at Monmouth, Oregon. He died 15 February 1937 at the Hood River Hospital.
L. E.
I was confused at first, because, 1861 seemed very early for a Hood River family.
As Jeffrey says, Byron L. Murphy was born 1861 in Monmouth Oregon to William and Elizabeth Murphy. Elizabeth passed away 1889 in Monmouth, so this photo must predate 1889.
I think this is Elizabeth sitting on the porch of the home in Monmouth. Byron’s sister Ida who passed away in 1943 in Walla Walla.
Byron’s wife Lillie Powell Murphy, who passed away 1934 in Hood River.
Byron is holding a baby, but I cannot find that he and Lillie had a child named Nora. Their daughter Vera was born 1887 in Monmouth.
Their son Ray was born 1889
Vera married Harry Bennett and died at the young age of 21 from consumption. She is buried at Idlewilde.
Bryon and Lillie’s son Lester (1967) is buried at Idlewilde, daughter Lois is buried there (1931).
Daughter Dorothy Brashers (1994) is buried at Lyle. Her son Tom, is buried in my community of Glenwood and his family still lives here.