Father Eugene Murphy was pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in the early 20th century during the period in time the Bolands, Gallaghers, McCafferys and Silverthorns were parish members.
Father Eugene Murphy was godfather to Mary (Keller) Gallagher when she was baptized into the Catholic religion. Mary was born and raised in the Lutheran faith and converted as an adult.
Father Eugene Murphy was also the reason Collum Eugene Gallagher (Uncle Gene) was given his middle name of Eugene.
Father Eugene Murphy was a notable force behind the building of the new church, parish school and St. John the Baptist High School. Father Murphy strongly believed in the education of children and believed girls as well as boys should be properly educated. He also encouraged the parents of his parish to keep their children in school until high school graduation because he felt children had a better chance to succeed in the world if educated instead of placed in factories at young ages.
Father Eugene Murphy was against the war in Europe and when our country entered into World War I, he marched against it. When the men of his parish were drafted, he held a banquet in their honor (Sept 23, 1917) then said a 6am mass the morning afterwards before he marched with them to the 13th police district to where they were to meet to be sent off to training camps. One of those men was Charles Silverthorn.
Father Eugene Murphy died in May 1938 and the evening of his viewing, Anna (McCaffery) Gallagher was in labor with her fourth child. Her mother-in-law Mary (Keller) Gallagher told Anna she was not to have that baby until her return. Mary Louise Gallagher waited until the return of her grandmother before she entered into the world.
Father Eugene Murphy is buried in St. John the Baptist Churhyard located on the parish grounds.
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