Legislator Details
Number of sessions served 4
Gender: Male
Age at election: 40
Vital Records Information:
Birth
Date: 9/3/1870
City: Flatbush, Long Island, NY
County: Kings
Country: US
Death
Date: 11/2/1921
City: Flatbush, NY
County:
Country: US
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date:
City:
County:
Country:
Cemetery:
Marital Information:
single
Number of Children: 0
Background
Religion:
Military Service:
Occupation: lawyer
Race: Caucasian or White
Education:
Public Schools of Brooklyn NY;
attended Larchmere Academy; LLB from Columbia University, 1893
Biographical Sketch:
Son of James A. and Elizabeth Murtha. After graduating from Columbia, he practiced law in New York City. In 1901, he moved Denver but in 1904 moved to Detroit where he practiced criminal law. Member of the board of commerce the Harmonie Society, Idle Hour Club and Concordia Club. Was a presidential elector for the third congressional district of NY on the Palmer & Buckner Gold Democrat ticket and was also a candidate for congress from the same district. Held high positions in the Elks.
Notable Facts:
Viewed as the originator of the court reform system in Michigan.
Sessions Served:
Committees Served On: Judiciary , Banks and Corporations , Constitutional Amendments , Labor Interests, Normal College , State Public School , Saline Interests
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed
Committees Served On: Executive Business , Normal School at Kalamazoo , Constitutional Amendments , Immigration , Judiciary , Soldiers' Home
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Notes: Chair of Executive Business; and Normal School at Kalamazoo
Committees Served On: Counties and Townships , Executive Business , Fisheries , Judiciary , Normal School at Mount Pleasant , Rules and Joint Rules , State Library
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District Description: City of Detroit wards 5, 7 and 9
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Committees Served On: Claims and Public Accounts , Constitutional Amendments , Counties and Townships , Fisheries , Gaming Interests , Joint Committee on Administrative Rules [JCAR] , Normal School at Marquette , Labor Interests
County of Residence Wayne
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Notes: Committee chairmanships: Counties and Townships; Normal School at Marquette
Bibliography:
MIBiog. 2:134; Manual 1915 p.766; Manual 1917 p.781; PolGryd; DFP 11/3/1921 p.1 and p.3 col.5
