San Francisco County
Biographies
JOHN H. GRADY
JOHN H. GRADY is one of San
Francisco’s representative native sons and is one of
her active, reliable business men. He was born in San Francisco
July 23, 1852, and is a son of James H. Grady, a native of county
Galway Ireland,
born in 1822. The father received his education in his own country, and when 18
years of age he came to the United States; the gold discoveries of 1848 brought
him to the Pacific coast, and seeing the excellent opportunities for engaging
in commercial enterprises, he opened a clothing store; he had been in this
business before coming to California; his venture was proving a brilliant
success when the fire of 1851 swept the city, and commerce was for a time
crippled. After the fire he went to Tuolumne County
and mined there for eleven years; he then returned to San Francisco
and after one year he went to Virginia City, where he
passed the remainder of his life; his death occurred in 1874. He married, when
in New Orleans, Miss.
Mary Dolly, a native of the town in which he was born. They were the Parents of
eight children, all of whom still survive. John H. the subject of this notice,
was educated in the public schools of San Francisco,
and was for some years engaged in the manufacture of furniture. He became a
prominent factor in the political movements of the city, and was nominated by
the Democratic Party for the Office of City and County
Tax Collector in 1881; he was
elected and was re-nominated and re-elected. At the close of the second term he
received the appointment of deputy State Treasurer, in which capacity he served
most satisfactorily from 1885 to 1887. Upon retiring from public office he made
some investments in Real Estate, both on his own account and for others, and
has been quite successful in all his dealings. He was a prominent actor in the
organization of the order of Native Sons of the Golden West, and was a charter
member of the first Parlor in the State of California.
It dates its beginning in 1875, and in 1882 he was elected Grand President of
the Grand Parlor of N. S. G. W. He discharged the duties of this office with
honor and distinction, and at the close of the term he was presented with a
handsome gold badge by the delegates, as a token of their appreciation of his
services. He united with the A. O. U. W., interested himself in the prosperity
of the order, and became Past Master of his lodge.
Mr.
Grady was united in marriage in 1877 to Miss Nellie G. Rourke,
a daughter of California. Seven
children have been born of this union. Mr. Grady has built a delightful
residence on Twenty-Fourth Street,
where he resides surrounded with his family and all the comforts of a modern
home. He has affiliated with the Democratic Party since his majority, and has
taken a deep interest in its success; he has participated in its deliberations
where his opinions have carried weight and conviction. He is a man highly
esteemed throughout the State and thoroughly respected by all who know him.
Transcribed by Kim Buck.
Source: "The Bay of San
Francisco," Vol. 2, Pages 519-520,
Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.
© 2006 Kim Buck.
California
Biography Project
San
Francisco County
California
Statewide
Golden
Nugget Library