Version 6.01

11 February 2025

David March © 2014

ADELBERT ARTHUR MURPHY

Adelbert Arthur Murphy was born on 11 April 1884 in Gananoque, Leeds, Ontario to William Henry Murphy (1857-1936) and Margaret Willis (b 1859). He had two brothers: William Samuel (1882-1960) and Ormond Willis (1885-1919). Adelbert was raised in Bastard and Burgess Township, Leeds, Ontario until at least 1901.

Adelbert was an electrical engineer for the city electricity company in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania in 1910 and then Yorkton, Saskatchewan in 1911. He married Estella May (Stella) Merkley in about 1912. She was born on 29 October 1881 in Chesterville, Dundas, Ontario to Jacob Merkley (1845-1918) and Annie Maria Coard or Cord (1850-1914). Her siblings were: Wilburn Adam (b 1870), Bertha M (1871-1934), Albert Stanley (b 1875), Annabelle (Anna) (b 1878), Harry George (b 1883), James Howard (1886-1963) and Cora Luella (1888-1976). Stella lived in Chesterville with her family until at least 1911.

Adelbert and Stella had four children: Margaret Catherine (1913-1984), William Adelbert (1918-2000), Mary Isobelle (1920-2003) and Harold Ormond (b after 1921-2009). From at least 1916 to 1925 the Murphy family lived at 520 5th Ave North in Saskatoon.

In the 1930s Adelbert took over the Electric Shop at 212 2nd Ave and was likely involved with the Saskatoon broadcasting station CFQC. The electrical business was then known as AA Murphy and Sons Ltd.

In the 1950's they were at 830 Saskatchewan Crescent. Stella and Adelbert both died in Saskatoon, Stella on 11 July 1957 and Adelbert on 2 December 1959. Both were buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.

This family tree can be found on Ancestry under the title 3rd Ave Murphy Tree.

Aerial view of 2nd Ave including Electrical Shop - in the background is 3rd Ave Church
Courtesy of Saskatoon Local History Room