John Henry Grady

JOHN H. GRADY is one of San Francisco’s representative native sons and is one of her active, reliable business men. He was born in San Francisco July 23, 1852, and is a son of James H. Grady, a native of county Galway Ireland, born in 1822. The father received his education in his own country, and when 18 years of age he came to the United States; the gold discoveries of 1848 brought him to the Pacific coast, and seeing the excellent opportunities for engaging in commercial enterprises, he opened a clothing store; he had been in this business before coming to California; his venture was proving a brilliant success when the fire of 1851 swept the city, and commerce was for a time crippled. After the fire he went to Tuolumne County and mined there for eleven years; he then returned to San Francisco and after one year he went to Virginia City, where he passed the remainder of his life; his death occurred in 1874. He married, when in New Orleans, Miss. Mary Dolly, a native of the town in which he was born. They were the Parents of eight children, all of whom still survive. John H. the subject of this notice, was educated in the public schools of San Francisco, and was for some years engaged in the manufacture of furniture. He became a prominent factor in the political movements of the city, and was nominated by the Democratic Party for the Office of City and County Tax Collector in 1881; he was elected and was re-nominated and re-elected. At the close of the second term he received the appointment of deputy State Treasurer, in which capacity he served most satisfactorily from 1885 to 1887. Upon retiring from public office he made some investments in Real Estate, both on his own account and for others, and has been quite successful in all his dealings. He was a prominent actor in the organization of the order of Native Sons of the Golden West, and was a charter member of the first Parlor in the State of California. It dates its beginning in 1875, and in 1882 he was elected Grand President of the Grand Parlor of N. S. G. W. He discharged the duties of this office with honor and distinction, and at the close of the term he was presented with a handsome gold badge by the delegates, as a token of their appreciation of his services. He united with the A. O. U. W., interested himself in the prosperity of the order, and became Past Master of his lodge.

    Mr. Grady was united in marriage in 1877 to Miss Nellie G. Rourke, a daughter of California. Seven children have been born of this union. Mr. Grady has built a delightful residence on Twenty-Fourth Street, where he resides surrounded with his family and all the comforts of a modern home. He has affiliated with the Democratic Party since his majority, and has taken a deep interest in its success; he has participated in its deliberations where his opinions have carried weight and conviction. He is a man highly esteemed throughout the State and thoroughly respected by all who know him.

Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2, Pages 519-520, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.

Native Sons of the Golden West

Grand Officers’ Reports

Deaths

1931-1936

John Henry Grady

Past Grand President

Born July 23, 1852

Died Jan. 19, 1931