Patrick J. McCarthy | |
---|---|
24th Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island | |
In office January 1907 – January 1909 | |
Preceded by | Elisha Dyer Jr. |
Succeeded by | Henry Fletcher |
Personal details | |
Born | Greenvagh Parish, County Sligo, Ireland | September 12, 1848
Died | March 13, 1921 Providence, Rhode Island, US | (aged 72)
Resting place | St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket |
Political party | Democratic |
Alma mater | Harvard Law School |
Occupation | Lawyer |
Patrick Joseph McCarthy (September 12, 1848 – March 13, 1921) was the 24th mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, and the first Providence mayor born in a foreign country.
Patrick McCarthy was born in Geevagh, [1] [2] County Sligo, Ireland, [3] on September 12, 1848. His family came to the United States to escape the Great Famine in 1850. [4] The family was quarantined on Deer Island in Boston Harbor, and both Patrick's parents died there. [4] Patrick and his five brothers were separated into different orphanages, adoption agencies, and homes of relatives. [3] [5] Young "P.J.", as he was known, lived with various extended relatives and poor houses, until a wealthy Bostonian agreed to fund his education. [4]
McCarthy moved to Providence in 1868, then earned a law degree from Harvard University Law School in 1876. [4]
McCarthy became involved in fraternal and educational societies in the Catholic Church and became known in Providence's growing Irish Catholic community. [4] McCarthy became a prominent lawyer and served on the City Council and the Rhode Island House of Representatives in the 1890s. [5]
He ran for the Providence Mayor's office on a progressive reform ticket in 1906, as a long shot candidate. [5] He was a populist, and attacked the local trolley monopoly, tax policies, and educational barriers. [4] He was in favor of expanding suffrage. [4] He was in favor of eight-hour workdays for city workers, retirement pay for teachers, and pensions for police and firefighters. [3]
The Cranston Street Armory was built during McCarthy's term. [3]
McCarthy died on March 13, 1921, and he is buried at St. Francis Cemetery, in Pawtucket. [4] A large, ornate Celtic cross marks his resting place. [4] [5] After his death, the New England elite pointed to McCarthy as an example of how Irish immigrants could succeed in America if they worked hard. [5]
His portrait in Providence City Hall was restored in 2012, and for a time hung above the mantle in the office of then-mayor Angel Taveras. [6]
McCarthy was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame in 2008. [4]
Patrick J. McCarthy | |
---|---|
24th Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island | |
In office January 1907 – January 1909 | |
Preceded by | Elisha Dyer Jr. |
Succeeded by | Henry Fletcher |
Personal details | |
Born | Greenvagh Parish, County Sligo, Ireland | September 12, 1848
Died | March 13, 1921 Providence, Rhode Island, US | (aged 72)
Resting place | St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket |
Political party | Democratic |
Alma mater | Harvard Law School |
Occupation | Lawyer |
Patrick Joseph McCarthy (September 12, 1848 – March 13, 1921) was the 24th mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, and the first Providence mayor born in a foreign country.
Patrick McCarthy was born in Geevagh, [1] [2] County Sligo, Ireland, [3] on September 12, 1848. His family came to the United States to escape the Great Famine in 1850. [4] The family was quarantined on Deer Island in Boston Harbor, and both Patrick's parents died there. [4] Patrick and his five brothers were separated into different orphanages, adoption agencies, and homes of relatives. [3] [5] Young "P.J.", as he was known, lived with various extended relatives and poor houses, until a wealthy Bostonian agreed to fund his education. [4]
McCarthy moved to Providence in 1868, then earned a law degree from Harvard University Law School in 1876. [4]
McCarthy became involved in fraternal and educational societies in the Catholic Church and became known in Providence's growing Irish Catholic community. [4] McCarthy became a prominent lawyer and served on the City Council and the Rhode Island House of Representatives in the 1890s. [5]
He ran for the Providence Mayor's office on a progressive reform ticket in 1906, as a long shot candidate. [5] He was a populist, and attacked the local trolley monopoly, tax policies, and educational barriers. [4] He was in favor of expanding suffrage. [4] He was in favor of eight-hour workdays for city workers, retirement pay for teachers, and pensions for police and firefighters. [3]
The Cranston Street Armory was built during McCarthy's term. [3]
McCarthy died on March 13, 1921, and he is buried at St. Francis Cemetery, in Pawtucket. [4] A large, ornate Celtic cross marks his resting place. [4] [5] After his death, the New England elite pointed to McCarthy as an example of how Irish immigrants could succeed in America if they worked hard. [5]
His portrait in Providence City Hall was restored in 2012, and for a time hung above the mantle in the office of then-mayor Angel Taveras. [6]
McCarthy was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame in 2008. [4]