JOHN B. MUBPHY By William Augustus Evans AS the ultimate end or life products of men are the results of many associated influences and energies, it is essen- tial in making a calculation of the importance of the various elements therein that we consider the heredity, the early environment, the necessity or choice of occupations and the energy expended in their attainment. The subject of this sketch was a descendant of sturdy im- migrants, who implanted themselves in the forest of Wiscon- sin, four miles west of Appleton, and endeavored to build a home and secure for their children the advantages which a new country offered to every line of human effort. In order to accomplish this it was necessary for these transplanted people to exercise a courage, an industry, a frugality, and in- tegrity of purpose, that good results might obtain. They soon recognized that the essentials to success in overcoming what would to us to-day seem to be insurmountable obstacles to the establishment of a home in the wilderness were continued labor, determination of purpose, husbandry of their small re- sources, and a confidence in the realization of future success, which never admitted of question. It was the conviction of this young couple in their pioneer home that indolence, and its companion, intemperance, were the most common barriers to the progress of the human race and the most frequent causes of failure, so that **work and total abstinence ' ' were dominant elements in their lives. They were insatiable readers and kept in close and intelligent touch with the progress of the times. These home influences could not fail to leave their impress on the character and intellects of their offspring. As the children attained a school age, the evening work at home was as accurate in its discipline and as exacting in its requirements as was their work at school. Inspiration and zest were added as the teacher of their country school usually
