William Francis (Frank) Murphy, April 13, 1890 - July 19, 1949

The Honorable Justice Frank Murphy

Born in Harbor Beach, Michigan, he received his law degree from the University of Michigan. Among many other things, he served in WWI, had a private law practice, became Mayor of Detroit and later, Governor of Michigan.

He served as Governor General of the Philippines and then became the U.S. Attorney General and established the first civil rights unit in the Justice Department.

From 1940 until his death in 1949, Murphy was a Supreme Court justice, appointed by president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

On February 19, 1942, Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 that authorized the relocation of Japanese people to detention camps. Fred Korematsu refused to comply and was arrested and jailed. He sued claiming the Executive Order was unconstitutional but lost in Federal Court. The U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the original verdict. 

In 1944, the case of Korematsu v. the United States came before the Supreme Court and the court, in a 6-3 decision, upheld the constitutionality of the government's internment of Japanese-Americans. Murphy's dissent is famous among legal scholars and a plaque stands in front of his old home in Harbor Beach (his home is now a museum).

On a random trip through Harbor Beach a few years ago, we came across the museum, which was not open at the time.

The first time the word 'racism' appeared in a Supreme Court opinion was in Murphy's dissent when he called the government's internment of Japanese Americans the legalization of racism.

Also in 1944, Murphy chaired the National Committee against Nazi Persecution and Extermination of the Jews (this came about years too late but it happened, nonetheless, thanks to Frank Murphy).

This was a man on the right side of history.

June 2022 Update:

We were back in Harbor Beach in June of 2022 and this time the museum was open as was the home of his birth, both of which comprise the Frank Murphy Memorial Museum.

This house was built in the 1870s and one wing of it was used as a law office by Frank's father. Frank was born here in 1890 and the family later moved into the larger home next door (the other part of the museum).

Our tour then moved into the larger home.

Murphy with FDR.

Our tour guide was wonderful and agreed to give us the 30 minute version instead of the 2 hour tour. Lastly, we went to pay our final respects to Justice Frank Murphy.

"I dissent, therefore, from this legalization of racism. Racial discrimination in any form and in any degree has no justifiable part whatever in our democratic way of life. It is unattractive in any setting, but it is utterly revolting among a free people who have embraced the principles set forth in the Constitution of the United States...". 

Justice Frank Murphy 

Ada Cemetery, 6340 Grand River Dr SE, Ada MI

 Being just over a mile from my old house, this is a cemetery I've walked through many times, and like most cemeteries, it is peaceful and interesting.

Here is Emiel Peters, a horse shoer at Camp Custer in Michigan, John Waltz, a Civil War Veteran, and W.L. Stinson, a member of the Michigan Cavalry.

Epitaphs are always fascinating.

Visitors leave curious but meaningful things, to them, at gravesites.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is represented but with no details.

Some people like to pre-plan.

Kenneth Hood-Hood has since passed away and is surrounded by his family.

Having lived in Ada for more than 30 years and having attended a local church for that long, there are people residing here that I have personally known and I am always happy to stop by and pay my respects. The DeYoungs were among the first to welcome us to our new church.

The Kamp sisters were staples in the back pew of church for years and I never knew they lost a brother in WWII until I found his memorial stone.

The Carlsons are still with us.

Anna was our neighbor for many years.

Lynne was hilarious and a wonderful woman, as was Barb.

The son of a dear friend went way too soon.

And this WWII vet fought at the Battle of the Bulge.

The older portion of the cemetery is off Grand River Drive (newer sites are off Fulton).

Many veterans of many wars are resting here.

Rix Robinson could, and probably does, have a book written about him but is considered to be a founder of West Michigan and was a noted fur trader among many other things. He resides high on a hill.

A stone memorial for his two Native American wives lies down below, just off Grand River Drive.

Here's the perspective looking up the hill to Rix and then down from Rix to their stone.

At least they have a stone? The placement is still irritating.

There are always cemetery mysteries to solve and this place has been one of my favorites.