San Francisco County
Biographies
WILLIAM C. McCARTHY
William C. McCarthy, who now holds the position of manager of the San Francisco division of the state motor vehicle department, has had a varied and most successful career in public and governmental service. He is a native of San Francisco, his birth having occurred here March 12, 1884, and he is a son of the late John and Elizabeth (Hickey) McCarthy.
John McCarthy came to San Francisco in the early ‘70s, for the purpose of superintending the erection of the Palace Hotel. This completed, he then entered into the building contracting business, and became one of the foremost men in this field in the west. Among the structures with which he had to do were the Appraisers’ building, the Union Trust building, the wing of the old city hall, and practically all of the largest buildings of early San Francisco, also many of the larger and more pretentious residences of his day. He purchased the city block at McAllister and Divisadero streets, and while excavating on this site discovered quicksilver. He was a native of Ireland, and possessed all the likable characteristics of his race. He was respected in this city, and had many stanch friends. He never aspired to public office. He was married in San Francisco to Miss Elizabeth Hickey, who was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Three sons and four daughters were born to their union, four of whom survive. Mr. McCarthy died November 1, 1901, and his wife followed him in death in March, 1925.
William McCarthy received his education in the grammar and high schools of San Francisco. First he entered his father’s business, and thus learned the trade of brick mason, which he followed until 1908. In that year, he became a clerk in the county recorder’s office, and held the position until 1912. He was then elected to the state assembly from the twenty-fifth district, and in the following session fulfilled his duties with eminent satisfaction to his constituents. In 1914, he entered the internal revenue service in San Francisco, and later acted as chief clerk of this local department. Next, he became revenue agent, and specialized in suppression of narcotics until 1922. Mr. McCarthy resigned from the internal revenue department in 1923, and then entered the city recorder’s office in San Francisco, where he remained until his appointment to his present position as manager of the San Francisco division of the state motor vehicle department in August, 1931.
In San Francisco, Mr. McCarthy is widely known as the type of public-spirited citizen who has been responsible for the unsurpassed growth of this western metropolis. Since the days of his youth, when he played on a semi-professional baseball team, he has been much interested in sports, and is now an ardent football fan. Golf is likewise a favorite diversion of his.
Mr. McCarthy is a married man. His wife’s maiden name was Inez Payne. They have one daughter, Mildred Elizabeth, who is now the wife of Walter B. Sequeira, and by her marriage the mother of a son, Walter B. Jr.
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 120-122.
© 2007 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S SAN
FRANCISCO BIOGRAPIES