[3][4] Operating out of Detroit, his company logged thousands of acres of Michigan pine forests.

[citation needed] In 1887, Murphy began wintering in Whittier, California after purchasing the Ramirez Rancho.

[citation needed] In 1905, Murphy completed the process of gaining control of the Pacific Lumber Company, which, under Murphy's control and stewardship, would become a storied and one of the largest Coast Redwood lumber and milling operations to ever exist.

In September 1845, Murphy married Ann Montgomery Dorr (May 21, 1828, Bradley, Maine – May 30, 1903, Detroit).

Son Frank E. Murphy, was a Lumberman, 4 term Alderman of Green Bay Wis, VP of The Morley- Murphy Company, and Developed Horse Shoe Bay Farms, in Door County Wisconsin, Frank E. Murphy Park was Donated to the Door County OF Wisconsin.