THE J.E. MURPHY FAMILY
Mr. Murphy had two sons and a daughter.  The sons were called to serve in World War II, and since they were vital to the business, it left Mr. Murphy short handed.  During the war years, it was tough on every one, since there was a shortage of almost everything.  In the early days, caskets were sold from the store.  Soon after that, a need for embalming and funeral directing developed. Mr. Murphy took on the new aspects of the business with the help of his two sons.  Eventually, an ambulance service was added to the operation. Families could pay 25 cents for  three months of service, and could be transported free to the nearest hospital.  Needless to say, this was just to help members of the community.  It was very difficult to find drivers for the ambulance service, because so many of the young men were serving in the war.
	Mr. Murphy's  death brought  about changes in the business. Mr. J.E. Murphy,Jr.  became the sole owner of J.E. Murphy Hardware.     The office area of the store was enclosed in a brass fencing that was original to the store, as was the old, tall desk with a high stool where the bookkeeping was done.  When you went into the store, one would see the original oak filing cabinets, as well as octagon cases that swivel.  These cases held many different sizes of bolts and screws.  On the top of one of these cases, there are grooves made to hold axes for display.  A very tall metal stand held every size of nails.  You would scoop the nails into a pan that weighs them.  Next to the tall metal case was a huge coal burning stove, which was once used to heat the store.  There was an old National Cash Register t, as well as one of the oldest Burroughs adding machines.   Glass fronted wooden drawers held every hardware item imaginable.  These drawers extend nearly to the ceiling, and two wooden ladders on the rails attached to the ceiling were used to retrieve items from the drawers.