William C. McCarthy
The Honorable William C. McCarthy
Term: 1866-1868 and 1875 – 1878
Term: 1866-1868 and 1875 – 1878
“Roaring Bill” McCarthy, a pressman, and volunteer firefighter, was a prominent republican who defeated Lowry for the nomination. During his first term, Pittsburgh annexed numerous boroughs, including Lawrenceville and Oakland. Years later, he won a second term in 1874, by falsely charging his democratic opponent, former Mayor John Guthrie was a traitor. The Act of 1874 created the administrative departments of Public Works, Public Safety, Parks, Finance, Law and Public Instruction.
In 1878 he was elected City Controller and later served as a Councilman.
