Santa
Clara County
Biographies
JOHN McCARTHY
A man of
much energy and activity, prominent in mercantile and financial circles, the
late John McCarthy, of San Jose, lived a strong and useful life,
and his death, while yet in the full vigor of manhood, was deeply deplored as a
public loss not only to the community in which he resided but to the county and
state. Liberal-minded, with a high moral
sense, keen perceptive faculties, and an integrity that was never questioned,
he was held in high regard by his large circle of friends and acquaintances. In business matters his advice was sound and
worthy of consideration while his geniality and native kindness of heart made
him a most agreeable and helpful associate.
Like many other of California’s valued citizens, he was an American by
adoption only, his birth having occurred June 15, 1854 in
County Cork, Ireland. His parents,
Charles and Mary (Attridge) McCarthy, emigrated [sic.] to the United States, landing first in
New York City from there coming by way of the Isthmus of Panama to
California. They located with their family
in San Francisco, where they spent the remainder of their days, the father
during his later years being retired from business pursuits.
Coming as
a boy to San Francisco, John McCarthy was educated in the common and high
schools of that city. While yet a young
man he became bookkeeper for Charles Bernard, a large coffee merchant, with
whom he remained a number of years. He
was particularly faithful and zealous in his work, winning the praise and favor
of his employer, who frequently gave him gifts of value,
at the time of his resignation as bookkeeper presenting him with a gold-headed
cane. Subsequently in company with his
brother Edward, who was also an employe [sic.] of Mr.
Bernard, Mr. McCarthy embarked in the coffee business as a roaster and dealer
of the berry in San Francisco, locating first on Sacramento street and then at
No. 113 Front street, under the firm name of McCarthy Brothers. Succeeding well in his venture, Mr. McCarthy
enlarged his operations in 1899 by opening a branch store in San Jose, at No.
375 Santa Clara street, becoming head of the firm of
John McCarthy & Co. The following year
in 1900, he sold his interest in the firm of McCarthy Brothers, of San
Francisco, and gave his entire attention to the development of his San Jose
business, which grew with great rapidity, extending throughout the southern
part of the state, and keeping two salesmen busily employed. With this large trade Mr. McCarthy was
actively identified until his death, September 29, 1903, the business being one
of the largest of the kind in this section of California. Since his death Mrs. McCarthy, his widow, has
sold the entire business to Mr. McCarthy’s brother, William McCarthy, who is
conducting it most successfully.
A man of
unusual ability and enterprise, Mr. McCarthy was ever a promoter of beneficial
projects, and did his full share toward the upbuilding [sic] of San Francisco,
San Jose, and the state. Through his
efforts a commodious fir house, the home of the Hester Fire Company
, was located on The Alameda, and the present hydrants were installed,
proving a great benefaction and protection to the residents of that
thoroughfare, which had hitherto been without.
By thrift, industry, good judgment, and wise investments, Mr. McCarthy
acquired considerable property. He had
two valuable ranches near Hollister one the Grass Valley ranch, containing one
thousand one hundred and forty acres of land, and the other oak Knoll ranch, contains
four hundred and fifty acres. He was
also the principal owner of the Hollister water works, putting in the system,
obtaining the water from the mountain stream passing through the Grass Valley
Ranch. He was the principal stock-holder
of these water works, and also one of the directors of the company, and was
likewise a stockholder and one of the directorates of Enterprise Foundry and
Manufacturing Company in San Jose. Mr.
McCarthy, as previously mentioned, died September 29, 1903, and his body was
buried in the Santa Clara Catholic Cemetery.
In
September 15, 1877 in San Francisco Mr. McCarthy married Mary E. Donovan., who
was born in Boston, Mass., a daughter of Cornelius and Ann (Dalton)
Donovan. She was a graduate of the State
Normal School and at the time of her marriage was one of the successful
teachers and educators in San Francisco.
Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy two children were born, namely:
Grace and Ethel. Politically Mr.
McCarthy was a steadfast Democrat. He
was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and belonged to the Manhattan Club
of San Francisco, of which he was president for five years.
Transcribed by
Louise E. Shoemaker, April 11, 2016.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 1114-1117. The Chapman Publishing
Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Louise E. Shoemaker.