San Francisco County
Biographies
HON. JOSEPH
M. GOLDEN
Among the younger lawyers of San Francisco, none has risen higher than the Hon. Joseph M. Golden, who is now the municipal judge, Department 7, in this city, and who has made a most satisfactory record during the years he has held this responsible position. He is a native of San Francisco, born March 13, 1893, and is a son of Patrick J. and Elizabeth (Fitzpatrick) Golden.
Patrick J. Golden was born in County Sligo, Ireland, and came to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1875, the same year that his future wife arrived from Ireland. Soon afterward, they moved to California, and in Alameda they were united in marriage on September 9, 1876. Later in the same year they established their residence in San Francisco, where they have since retained their home. Mr. Golden was an employee of the city and county board of public works during his active career. He is a republican, and a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church. He and his wife became the parents of six sons and four daughters, of whom Judge Golden in the ninth in order of birth.
Joseph M. Golden attended the General John C. Fremont school in San Francisco, but he was compelled by force of circumstances to leave high school when he was sixteen years old and enter the employ of the Savings Union Bank & Trust Company, where he subsequently held various positions. In 1912, he began to study law in the evening classes of St. Ignatius College, and by persistent work and determination completed the course, receiving his degree of Bachelor of Laws on June 9, 1916. After the United States declared war upon Germany, he laid aside his plans for the future in the law practice and enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve. For two years he was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone and then received his honorary discharge. Immediately after his graduation, however, he had become associated with his brother, William P. Golden, who is now assistant district attorney, under the firm name of Golden & Golden, and this partnership was continued until he was elected police judge.
Judge Golden first became a candidate for police judge in San Francisco in 1923. The opposition was strong and the campaign was a strenuous one, but, through the fine efforts of his mother, who managed his fight for the office, he was successful in the election. For four years he fulfilled the duties of this office with distinction to himself and complete satisfaction to the people of San Francisco. Then again he became a candidate, and again his mother, inspired by mother love and hopes for his success, managed his campaign successfully and he was reelected to his second term. On July 1, 1930, by constitutional amendment, he was made municipal judge, the office he is now filling.
Judge Golden is a stanch republican, and has been zealous in his support of the party principles. He is a devout member of St. Ignatius parish of the Roman Catholic Church. His fraternal and kindred associations include the following: San Francisco Council, No. 615, Knights of Columbus; Independent Order of Foresters; San Francisco Lodge, No. 3, Foresters of America; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Golden Gate Camp, No. 64, Woodmen of the World; the Ancient Order of Hibernians; the Fraternal Order of Eagles; the Young Men’s Institute; Pacific Parlor, No. 10, Native Sons of the Golden West; and the Alumni Association of the University of San Francisco, formerly St. Ignatius College. The Judge has found recreation principally in golf, swimming, and handball, and indulges in these beneficial sports at every opportunity. He is unmarried, and makes his home at 848 Lyon street in San Francisco. He has won hearty commendation from every source for his able service as police and municipal judge. His decisions have been fair, decisive and evident of thorough study and thought before having been given. The loyalty and the enthusiasm shown by his beloved mother in his career have provided him with a splendid incentive to carry on to the best of his ability. This, with the natural talent he possesses, has brought to him the meritorious reputation he now enjoys in San Francisco.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Byington, Lewis Francis, “History of
San Francisco 3 Vols”, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1931. Vol. 2 Pages 168-172.
© 2007 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S SAN FRANCISCO
BIOGRAPIES