Placer
County
Biographies
WILLIAM C. CONROY
William Charles Conroy is the owner
and manager of the Conroy Hotel at Auburn.
Few cities of its size afford as elegant hotel accommodations as does
the house of which our subject is proprietor.
Perhaps no other business interest so clearly demonstrates the standing
of a town or city as does the hotel. The
enterprise and industry of its commercial life is indicated here, for the
traveling public who has to do with its commercial affairs demand certain
qualities of entertainment. Metropolitan
in its appointments, perfect in its equipments and conveniences, and supplied
with many luxuries that add to the comforts and its guests, the Conroy Hotel
has found favor with the public and is accorded a very liberal patronage.
The proprietor is a native son of
California, his birth having occurred in the city of Sacramento on the 2nd
of March, 1857. His father, Michael
Conroy was born in County Mayo, Ireland, and was married there to Miss Ella
Murphy, a native of County Limerick.
Before leaving the Emerald Isle this worthy couple became the parents of
a daughter who is now Mrs. William H. Harrison, of El Paso, Texas. Crossing the Atlantic to the United States,
the father served as a railroad fireman for three years in the east and then
came to California, making the trip by way of the Isthmus and arriving in San
Francisco in 1856. He engaged in placer
mining and also secured a ranch whereon he devoted his energies in the cultivation
of the ground. Subsequently he resided
for a time in Rocklin, and then he removed to Pine Grove. In 1866 he came to Auburn, where he spent his
remaining days, his death occurring on the 6th of June, 1878. His wife and three children born in California
all survive him and are residents of Auburn.
Ella is now the wife of John Davis; Mary, the wife of William H.
Harrison; and William C. is the only son in the family.
In taking up the personal history of
William C. Conroy, we present to our readers the life of one who is widely and
favorably known in California. He was
nine years of age when his parents came to Auburn and in the public schools he
pursued his education. He entered upon
an independent business career as a baggage master and freight agent in the
employ of the railroad and was thus engaged for thirteen years. In 1890 he was placed upon the Democratic
ticket as a candidate for sheriff of the county, and the election returns
showed he was triumphant in his race. He
was three times elected and filled that important position with marked ability
for eight years. He discharged his
duties without fear or favor, performing his services in behalf of justice, and
at all times winning the commendation of the law-abiding citizens. He was very successful in capturing and
bringing to justice many high-handed and dangerous criminals and was the means
of ridding the county of an element that long threatened the safety of life and
property. While he was feared by men who
have little regard for the law, he was, with the majority, a most popular and
capable official. He now has in his
possession a large and interesting collection of weapons and tools taken from
criminals whom he arrested, indicating something of the desperate character of
the crimes committed.
After his retirement from office Mr.
Conroy purchased the hotel, remodeled, refitted and refurnished it in the most
modern style, making it one of the best houses in the county, a credit to the
owner and to the city in which it is located.
He does everything in his power for the comfort and convenience of his
guests and has a large and remunerative patronage. The building is eighty by one hundred feet in
dimensions and contains forty-two sleeping rooms, a fine large office, a
beautiful parlor and a commodious dining-room which is supplied with all the
delicacies of the season, rendering this a first-class hotel. In connection he also has mining interests
and is widely recognized as one of Auburn’s enterprising businessmen.
In 1880 Mr. Conroy was happily
married to Miss Ella Peacock, of El Dorado County. They now have three children: Walter, Grover and William. Mr. Conroy is a gentleman of social
disposition and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he
has taken the Rebekah degree; the Red Men; the Ancient Order of Foresters and
the Independent Order of Foresters. He
is also affiliated with the Native Sons of the Golden West. Mr. Conroy has made good use of his
opportunities. He has prospered from
year to year, but has conducted all business matters carefully and successfully
and in all his acts displays an aptitude for successful management. He has not permitted the accumulation of a
handsome competence to affect in any way his actions toward those less
successful than he, and he always has a cheerful word and pleasant smile for
those with whom he comes in contact.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
“A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of Northern
California”, Pages 315-316. Chicago Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. 1901.
© 2010
Gerald Iaquinta.