William E. Dargie

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This article is about William Edward Dargie, an American newspaper publisher and politician. For Sir William Dargie, an Australian painter known especially for his portrait paintings, see William Dargie.
William E. Dargie
Born March 13, 1854(1854-03-13)
San Francisco, California
Died February 10, 1911 (aged 56)
Oakland, California

William Edward Dargie (March 13, 1854–February 10, 1911) was an American newspaper publisher and politician. He was publisher of the Oakland Tribune and served in the California State Senate.

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[edit] Origin

William Edward Dargie was born on March 13, 1854 in San Francisco, California, the son of John and Eliza G. Dargie. He graduated from Union Grammar School and for one year he attended San Francisco High School. In 1867, Dargie, secured the position of bill clerk with the wholesale wood firm of Armes & Dallam. Dargie became an apprentice in the printer's trade at the San Francisco Bulletin, becoming a member of the International Typographical Union's, San Francisco Local # 21. As a journeyman printer, Dargie learned all the operations and jobs in the composing room. He was transferred to the editorial department as a reporter for the Bulletin.

[edit] Oakland Tribune

In 1875, Dargie decided to better his education and entered the new University of California at Berkeley. He continued to work as a reporter for the San Francisco Bulletin. Dargie's salary from the Bulletin paid his university expenses. After his freshman year at the university, Dargie purchased controlling interest in the Oakland Tribune with a loan from A. K. P. Harmon. On July 24, 1876, Dargie became the manager of the newspaper.

He envisioned that Oakland and Alameda County would grow in the future and that the Oakland Tribune would be the major newspaper to serve the new populace. Using his knowledge from the composing room and editorial department, Dargie made the Tribune a newspaper of credibility. He hired an excellent staff and purchased the latest presses and linotype machines.

[edit] Family

On December 15, 1881, Dargie married Hermina Peralta at San Leandro, California in the home of the bride's father Miguel Peralta. The couple's daughter died at birth, their son, William Edward Dargie, Jr. died at age 20.

[edit] Politics

On February 27, 1883, President Chester A. Arthur appointed Dargie, a Republican, to the post of Postmaster of Oakland. When his term as postmaster ended in 1888, Dargie ran for the California Legislature. He represented Alameda County in the California State Senate from 1889 to 1891. During his political career, Dargie continued as publisher of the Oakland Tribune.

[edit] Death

On February 10, 1911, William Edward Dargie died in Oakland, California from the effects of a nervous breakdown and stroke. The California State Senate adjourned in his honor. State Senator John W. Stetson of Alameda County praised the work of William E. Dargie.

Dargie's widow Hermina would be involved in a long legal battle over the purchase of the Oakland Tribune stock with former U.S. Congressman Joseph R. Knowland.

[edit] Memberships

Dargie was a member of the following organizations:

  • Mason, A. F & A. M.
  • Athenian and Nile Clubs
  • Union Club
  • Family Club
  • Press Club of San Francisco

[edit] References

  • Wood, M.W. History of Alameda County California. Oakland : M.W. Wood, 1883.
  • Baker, Joseph Eugene. Past and Present of Alameda County California. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Company, 1914.
  • Conmy, Peter T. The Beginnings of Oakland, California, A.U.C. Oakland: Oakland Public Library, 1961.