Contra Costa County Biography

HON. WILLIAM R. SHARKEY

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta, December, 2006.

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
One of the most highly esteemed and deservedly respected citizens of Contra 
Costa County is William R. Sharkey, State senator from the ninth district, 
comprising Contra Costa and Marin Counties. Senator Sharkey was born in Sierra 
County, June 6, 1876, the son of Richard and Mary Sharkey. He acquired his 
education in  the public schools, after which he took up the printing trade and 
became identified with the Sierra County Tribune for a time. He then removed to 
Sierraville and for over a year was connected with the Mountain Mirror, 
discharging his duties in a manner that commended him to his employer and to 
those working with him. He then removed to Lassen County and worked on the 
Amadee Geyser for a time, when he returned to Sierraville and accepted a 
position on the Sierra Valley Leader, remaining there for a year. He resigned, 
owing to health, and rode the range. In 1896 Mr. Sharkey resumed his newspaper 
work and became associated with the Sierra County Enterprise at Downieville, and 
in 1899, he purchased the Sierra Valley Record, which he operated until 1902, 
when he disposed of his paper and accepted a position as coast manager for the 
Calkins Newspaper Syndicate. In 1903 Senator Sharkey was made city editor of the 
Morning Miner, at Nevada City, and in the fall of 1905 he removed to Reno, 
Nevada, where he opened an office for the Calkins Newspaper Syndicate and 
represented the Orchard and Farm and the Pacific Miner, both Calkins 
publications. On April 1, 1906, he became manager of the Contra Costa Standard, 
and under his direction the paper rapidly increased in circulation and 
influence. In 1911 he established the Martinez Daily Standard, now one of the 
brightest and most influential papers published in the county. Senator Sharkey 
gives his political support to the Republican party, and takes an active 
interest in public affairs. In 1915 he served for one term as a member of the 
State legislature from the eighteenth district. He was elected State senator 
from the ninth district, representing Contra Costa and Marin counties in 1916. 
Senator Sharkey was united in marriage to Miss Nannie Elizabeth Gott, a native 
of Plumas County, California, September 6, 1900. To this union have been born 
Muriel and William R., Jr. Fraternally, Senator Sharkey is a member and past 
master of Martinez Lodge No. 41, F. & A. M.; Mountain Vale Lodge No. 140, I. O. 
O. F., of Sierraville; Laurel Camp No. 145, W.  O. W.; past president and 
secretary Mt. Diablo Parlor No. 101, N. S. G. W.; California Camp No. 7079, 
Modern Woodmen of the World; Richmond Lodge No. 1251, B. P. O. E.; Los Ceritos 
Chapter No. 350, O. E. S.; and Alhambra Lodge No. 292, Rebekah. Senator Sharkey 
is chairman of the Rivers and Harbors Commission of California, to which 
position he was appointed by Governor Hiram W. Johnson. The Senator's personal 
characteristics have gained for him the warm regard and friendship of many. He 
is a public-spirited man and a valuable citizen, and he interests himself in all 
public measures that will better local conditions.
 
Source: The History of Contra Costa County, California," Elms Publ. Co., 1917, 
pp. 545-546.