Person:Francis Murphy (7)

and his family moved to Rochester, NY. Frank attended Catholic schools in Rocehester, first two years of college at Notre Dame, and them graduated from the University of Michigan. Served in the army during World War I. Employed by Allied Stores', at Lord & Taylor a retail establishment in New York City. For Allied he traveled to St.Paul, MN in the early 1930s. While there, decided it was a good place to live and start a business, in spite of it being the time of the "great depression".

   With only  $26 in his pocket, but with the backing of Dun & Bradstreet, Frank and wife Madeline opened a women's apparel store bearing his name (Frank Murphy). After being down the block on St. Peter street moved to the corner of Fifth and St. Peter, across from the St. Paul Hotel. It was at this location for over sixty years.
   The exterior of the store was decorated with ornate wrought iron from New Orleans, and a gilded "black-a-moor" statue was centered on the second level facing the street intersection.The interior design and decoration reflected the opulent, victorian tastes of Madeline.
  The interior was broken up into a number of areas, each with elaborate fitting rooms. In the "sportswear" area  was a pool, surrounded by plants and behind which lived Freddy, a parrot, in a large brass cage.  Furniture, mirrors and other decorative pieces acquired on travels were throughout the store. Frank's good luck mascot was a small cast itron penquin. His motto was "forever progressing". After his death, and on the store's fiftieth birthday, Madeline had a live penquin in one of the store's windows. It was later given to the zoo.
   The store from the beginning catered to the affluent, and became the social gathering point for the communitee's "carriage trade". Merchandise included the latest couture bought from the leading designers at home and abroad.
   As a team Frank and Madeline had a flair for retailing and building personal friendships with their well heeled customers. The store had a large following and was recognized not only as a fashion leader in the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis but attracted a following from patons located about the country.
  Famous, black photgraher, composer, film directir and writer Gordon Parks had his first assignment photographing models for Madeline.

In the mid 1940s Madeline's two sisters Dorothy (Dotes) and Blanche (Buddy) Reynolds also moved to St. Paul from Rochester and began long careers in the store. At age 87 Dotes was still working in the store. Daughter Shannon became associated with the store shortly after college and became owner and president after Frank and Madeline's death's in 1972 and 1976. Shannon sold the store in 1989 and it was closed for business in January 1996. Frank, Madeline and Shannon were a close family enjoying living and working together. Madeline's sisters added to the family involvement. The Murphys frequently traveled for pleasure and/or business. There were frequent New York buying trips throughout the year, and on occasion trips to Europe via ocean liners like The Queen Mary. For many yearsthe family spent long winter vacations on Key Biscaynne outside of Miami,FL.

   Although he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and golf (shot 72 at his course, The White Bear Yacht Club),  Frank's primary diversion was "playing" the horses, an interest he passed onto his daughter.

1. ↑ Complications from strokes.
2. ↑ World War I field Artillery