William C. McCarthy

William C. McCarthy (1820 – January 27, 1900) was Mayor of Pittsburgh from 1866 to 1868 and from 1875 to 1878.

William C. McCarthy
Portrait of William C. McCarthy,
c. 1866–1878
30th Mayor of Pittsburgh
In office
1875–1878
Preceded byJames Blackmore
Succeeded byRobert Liddell
26th Mayor of Pittsburgh
In office
1866–1868
Preceded byJames Lowry, Jr.
Succeeded byJames Blackmore
Personal details
Born1820
DiedJanuary 27, 1900 (aged 79/80)

Life

McCarthy was born in 1820. He was known as "Roaring Bill". His reputation as a volunteer fireman was legendary. McCarthy was a newspaper editor with the Pittsburgh Dispatch.

Mayoralty

A Steeple-View of the Pittsburgh Conflagration, an engraving by M.B. Leiser

The Industrial Revolution was gearing up and Pittsburgh was annexing neighboring townships and boroughs. In 1868, Bloomfield became part of the city. During his first administration, the police department ceased orally assuring the citizenry "that all is well," and inclined planes began to ascend Mount Washington.

The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 occurred during his second term as mayor. Striking railroad workers clashed in a fierce battle with Philadelphia Militiamen at the 28th Street Roundhouse. Rail traffic was brought to a halt, and the terminal was burned.[1]

McCarthy was elected City Controller in 1878.

He died January 27, 1900; and was buried in an unmarked grave in Uniondale Cemetery on the northside.

See also

References

  1. "The Great Strike of 1877: Remembering a Worker Rebellion". UE News. June 2002. Retrieved 2008-05-25.
Political offices
Preceded by
James Lowry, Jr.
Mayor of Pittsburgh
1866–1868
Succeeded by
James Blackmore
Preceded by
James Blackmore
Mayor of Pittsburgh
1875–1878
Succeeded by
Robert Liddell


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