Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

as pastor of St. Bridget's Church, and for
sixteen years he labored zealously in the
behalf of his congregation. During his
pastorate, Father Murphy completed the
church edifice and built the rectory. He
succeeded in reducing the indebtedness
to a large extent. Beloved by his congregation,
they were loath to part with
him in 1913, when he was appointed to
St. Mary's Church, Greenwich, Connecti-
cut, and where in the short seven years
he has been pastor has attained a permanent
place among the townspeople as one
who is anxious and willing to do all in
his power to promote the general welfare.
He takes a keen and active interest in all
public affairs, particularly those which
have the betterment of the people at
heart. Rev. Father Murphy is a member
of Orinoco Council, Knights of Colum-
bus, and is an ardent worker in that
cause.
JOHNSON, John R.,
Business Man, World War Aviator.
Among the enterprising business men
of the town of Greenwich, Connecticut,
there is none more deserving of mention
than John R. Johnson, who has been a
resident there since 1889. Mr. Johnson
was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
May 30, 1885, son of parents long resident
in that city.
He was named for his grandfather,
John R. Johnson, who was a prominent
iron manufacturer of Philadelphia. In
1862 he established himself in business
in Bristol, Pennsylvania, under the name
of The Johnson Forge Company, and
after a few years removed to Richmond,
Virginia, where he established a similar
business under the same name. That
business is still carried on by some of his
descendants. He died in 1910, aged sixty-
eight years. After he had been in Rich-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
123
mond for some years, he established a
business in Wilmington, Delaware, under
the name of The Wilmington Iron Company,
and this property was inherited by
John R. Johnson, of this review, who operated
it two years, until 191 2, when he
sold it.
John R. Johnson was educated in the
Hill School and the Phillips-Andover
Academy. In 1907 he went into the cigar
business on his own account in New York
City. After about two years he sold this
business and entered the employ of bond
brokers, Wagner, Dickerson & Company,
of Wall street. There Mr. Johnson remained
for three years, until 1910. The
property left him by his grandfather oc-
cupied his attention for the next couple
of years, and in 1912 settled permanently
in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he had
removed with his family in 1889. The
same year, 1912, he engaged in the garage
business and the handling of auto sup-
plies and repairs. Two years later he es-
tablished a cut-rate taxi cab business,
which has proven very successful, and
about twenty taxis are operated. Mr.
Johnson is of the aggressive, alert type,
and this quality combined with his judgment
and thrift has placed him in a posi-
tion in the business world that many an
older man might envy. In 191 7 he added
the sale of cars to his other business, and
is agent for the Nash, Essex, Hudson and
Dodge cars. In all of the lines of business
which he has undertaken, he has been
highly successful ; he has the best years
of his life before him and it is safe to say
that he will progress even further.
Mr. Johnson does not take an active in-
terest in politics, but does nevertheless
interest himself in public affairs and is
at all times willing and anxious to be of
assistance in any matter concerning the
general welfare. He was an ensign in the
Naval Aviation Service during the World