San Francisco County
Biographies
JAMES J.
MAHER.
For over thirty years, James J. Maher has given able and conscientious service as a member of the staff of the San Francisco Civil Service Commission, and since January 13, 1908, has held the important position of chief examiner and secretary of this commission.
Mr. Maher is a native of New York city, where his birth occurred November 29, 1868. He is a son of the late Daniel and Honora (Kelly) Maher. Daniel Maher and his wife were both born in Ireland, and came to the United States when they were very young. They first settled in Rhinebeck, New York, and later moved to New York city. In 1873, they came to San Francisco by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Daniel Maher was a foreman painter by trade. It is an interesting fact that he was employed in Fort Sumter when the first shot of the Civil war was fired thereon. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Maher.
James J. Maher attended parochial and public schools, also commercial high school, in San Francisco. For a period exceeding ten years he was associated with Davis Brothers, Bergman & Company, one of the largest wholesale general merchandise houses on the Pacific coast, and in this employment he received a most thorough business training, which was to be of vast benefit to him in his subsequent work with the city. On January 11, 1900, he entered the services of the San Francisco Civil Service Commission, at the time of the inception of this commission under the new city charter of that date. As chief examiner and secretary of this commission, he is one of the most highly regarded of the officials of San Francisco. He has been faithful to his duties, of unquestioned integrity, and has achieved definite results throughout the many years he has been so affiliated.
In the year 1889, Mr. Maher was married to Miss Josephine Marley, who was born in San Francisco, June 1, 1873, and is a daughter of Edward and Kate (Hanavan) Marley. Her father was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1846, was a soldier during the Civil war, and died about twelve years ago. Mrs. Maher’s mother was born in San Francisco on May 3, 1852, and is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Maher there have been born nine children. Mary, the wife of William Doolittle, is a resident of Burlingame, California, and is the mother of two sons. Daniel P. is a paint manufacturer of San Francisco, is married and has two sons and a daughter. Irene is now Mrs. William Turner, and with her husband and son reside in Piedmont, California. James J., Jr., died when he was twelve years of age. Edmund A. is a member of the San Francisco police department, and has a wife and a daughter. Estelle is a Sister in the Dominican Order. Vincent J., who resides with his parents, is in the employ of his brother, Daniel P., in the paint business. Joseph J. and Robert S., who are attending school, reside with their parents.
James J. Maher has always been interested in civic affairs aside from his line of duty. He has been public-spirited to a high degree. In October, 1931, the officials and employes of the city and county of San Francisco decided to contribute monthly, for a period of eight months, one day’s pay for the relief of the unemployed. Mr. Maher was appointed chairman of the executive committee which will superintend the distribution of these contributions.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Byington, Lewis Francis, “History of
San Francisco 3 Vols”, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1931. Vol. 3 Pages 325-327.
© 2008 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
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