Wikipedia

W. P. Mahoney

William P. Mahoney (1882 – July 31, 1967) was an American lawyer and politician who served in the Arizona House of Representatives from 1915 to 1916 and in the Arizona Senate from 1917 to 1918, as a member of the Democratic Party.[1] After his tenure in the state legislature he served as the sheriff of Mohave County, Arizona.

W. P. Mahoney
Mahoney, ca. 1926
Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the Mohave County
In office
January 1915 – December 1916
Preceded byJohn Ellis
Succeeded byJasper N. Brewer
Member of the Arizona Senate
from the Mohave County district
In office
January 1917 – December 1918
Preceded byHenry Lovin
Succeeded byC. W. Herndon
Personal details
Born1882
Newport, County Mayo, Ireland
DiedJuly 31, 1967(1967-07-31) (aged 85)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseAlice M. Fitzgerald
Children4, including William P. Mahoney Jr.
RelativesRichard Mahoney (grandson)

Mahoney was born in Newport, County Mayo, Ireland, and immigrated to the United States in 1900. He was active in mining in Arizona, Colorado, Montana, and Nevada, during which time he met Wyatt Earp. He started working for the Santa Fe Railway in 1926. Mohney was elected to the state house in the 1914 election and state senate in the 1916 election before being elected as a county sheriff. He unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination for Arizona State Mine Inspector in the 1926 election.

Mahoney was appointed to the Department of Social Security and Public Welfare in 1937 and later served as its chair before resigning in 1952. He was appointed to the Arizona Employment Security Commission in 1955 and served until 1959.

Early life

edit

W. P. Mahoney was born in Newport, County Mayo, Ireland in 1882, and immigrated to the United States in 1900.[2][3] He married Alice M. Fitzgerald, with whom he had four children including William P. Mahoney Jr., on June 30, 1915, at St. Mary's Church. Mahoney met her while serving in the legislature, as Fitzgerald was the secretary to the president of the senate, M. G. Cunniff.[4][2][5][6][7] He is the grandfather of Richard Mahoney.[2][8]

Career

edit

Business

edit

Mahoney spent his time working in the mines in Cripple Creek, Colorado, Butte, Montana, Tonopah, Nevada, and several locations in northwest Arizona in the 1900s. He became acquainted with Wyatt Earp while at Goldfield, Arizona.[3] He continued to work in the mining field in the Oatman area during the 1910s, as well as having interests in ranching properties.[9][10] Mahoney and his family moved from Oatman to Kingman, Arizona in 1918, after he was elected sheriff.[11] The house they built and lived in was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.[12]

In 1921, Mahoney and two partners formed the New Comstock Consolidated Mining Company, which owned several claims in Mohave County east of the Gold Chain Mine.[13][14] Mahoney accepted a job as a divisional special agent for the Santa Fe Railroad in December 1926.[15] Since the position was based in Winslow, Arizona, he moved there in 1927.[3][16]

During the 1932 presidential election, Mahoney was the security expert assigned to meet the train carrying Franklin D. Roosevelt to Arizona.[17] In 1936, he was promoted from special agent for the railroad to head of the lease and livestock agency within the railroad for all of Arizona. Mahoney, who had been living in Winslow, moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where the agency was headquartered.[3][18]

Politics

edit

On the day Arizona became a state, February 14, 1912, Mahoney was among those who accompanied Governor George W. P. Hunt on his walk to open the new capitol.[2] He ran for a seat in the Arizona House of Representatives from Mohave County during the 1914 election.[19] He defeated John Ellis and W. E. Moroney in the Democratic primary and Republican nominee F. A. Wilde and Socialist nominee Samuel T. Ryan in the general election, receiving 744, 523, and 181 votes, respectively.[20][21][22] He ran to succeed Henry Lovin in the Arizona Senate in the 1916 election. He defeated Dan Angius and Kean St. Charles in the Democratic primary and Republican nominee H. R. Shannon and Socialist nominee Paul E. White in the general election.[23][24][25][26]

He ran for the position of sheriff in Mohave County in the 1918 election and won the Democratic nomination against Asa F. Harris before defeating Republican nominee J.N. Cohenour in the election.[27][28][29][30] He defeated independent candidate Fred Brawn in the 1920 election.[31][32][33] During the 1922 election he defeated W. B. Stephens in the Democratic primary with it being described as a "heated contest".[34][35][36] He was sheriff of Mohave County from 1918 to 1926.[2] He ran against incumbent Arizona State Mine Inspector Tom Foster in the 1926 election, but Foster won against Mahoney in the Democratic primary.[37][38]

Later life and death

edit

Mahoney was appointed by Governor R. C. Stanford to serve on the Department of Social Security and Public Welfare, later called the Arizona State Board of Public Welfare, in 1937.[2][39] He was reappointed to the board in 1940. In 1943, he became chairman of the board and held the position until he left.[40][41] He resigned from the board in April 1952, which was ahead of the end of his term in January 1954.[42][43] He was appointed by Governor Ernest McFarland to serve on the Arizona Employment Security Commission in 1955.[2] McFarland's successor, Republican Paul Fannin, did not re-appoint Mahoney in 1959.[44] He resigned from his post as lease and livestock agent in 1952.[3] Mahoney died on July 31, 1967, at St. Joseph's Hospital.[2]

Electoral history

edit
1914 Arizona House of Representatives Mohave County Democratic primary[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic W. P. Mahoney 405 41.28%
Democratic W. E. Moroney 353 35.98%
Democratic John Ellis 223 22.73%
Total votes 981 100.00%
1914 Arizona House of Representatives Mohave County election[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic W. P. Mahoney 744 51.38%
Republican F. A. Wilde 523 36.12
Socialist Samuel T. Ryan 181 12.50%
Total votes 1,448 100.00%
1916 Arizona Senate Mohave County Democratic primary[24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic W. P. Mahoney 909 61.01%
Democratic Dan Angius 403 27.05%
Democratic Kean St. Charles 178 11.95%
Total votes 1,490 100.00%
1916 Arizona Senate Mohave County election[25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic W. P. Mahoney 1,241 56.26%
Republican H. R. Shannon 656 29.74%
Socialist Paul E. White 309 14.01%
Total votes 2,206 100.00%
1920 Mohave County Sheriff election[33]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic W. P. Mahoney (incumbent) 1,330 85.53%
Independent Fred Brawn 225 14.47%
Total votes 1,555 100.00%
1922 Mohave County Sheriff Democratic primary[36]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic W. P. Mahoney (incumbent) 1,117 57.88%
Democratic W. B. Stephens 813 42.12%
Total votes 1,930 100.00%

References

edit
  1. ^ "History of the Arizona State Legislature 1912–1966". State of Arizona. pp. 8–9. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "W. P. Mahoney Sr. Dies; Ex-Sheriff and Legislator". Arizona Republic. August 1, 1967. p. 9. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  3. ^ a b c d e "W. P. Mahoney Sr. No Pinto Hater". Arizona Republic. February 8, 1959. p. 6. Archived from the original on June 9, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ "Untitled". Mohave County Miner. December 2, 1916. p. 4. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  5. ^ "Member Married Hon. Mr. Mahoney". The Arizona Republican. July 2, 1915. p. 9. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  6. ^ "Miss Peggy Mahoney Enters Coast College". Arizona Republic. September 12, 1937. p. 20. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  7. ^ "Erin Mahoney, Bridegroom at La Jolla". Arizona Republic. August 31, 1948. p. 14. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  8. ^ "Richard D. Mahoney". Spartacus Educational. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  9. ^ "Expects He Will Cut Ledge Soon". Mohave County Miner. October 14, 1916. p. 2. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  10. ^ "Untitled". Mohave County Miner. March 10, 1917. p. 8. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  11. ^ "News From County Towns". Mohave County Miner. January 4, 1919. p. 8. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  12. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  13. ^ "New Comstock Consolidated Adjoins The Gold Chain". Mohave County Miner. April 22, 1921. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  14. ^ "Mining Becomes More Active In County". Mohave County Miner. May 6, 1921. p. 12. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  15. ^ "Mahoney To Become Santa Fe Detective". The Arizona Republican. December 25, 1926. p. 4. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  16. ^ "Pathways of Old Memories". Arizona Daily Sun. July 18, 1947. p. 2. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  17. ^ "Democrat Chief To Visit City". Arizona Republic. September 23, 1932. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  18. ^ "Santa Fe Names Livestock Agent". Arizona Republic. February 21, 1936. p. 14. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  19. ^ "Candidates For County Offices". Mohave County Miner. August 22, 1914. p. 4. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  20. ^ a b "Democratic Primaries". Mohave County Miner. September 19, 1914. p. 2. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  21. ^ a b "Names of Candidates and Offices Voted For". Mohave County Miner. November 28, 1914. p. 2. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  22. ^ "Two Women One Republican In Legislature". The Copper Era and Morenci Leader. November 20, 1914. p. 4. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  23. ^ "Party Nominations". Mohave County Miner. September 2, 1916. p. 6. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  24. ^ a b "Primary Election Returns". Mohave County Miner. September 16, 1916. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  25. ^ a b "Complete Election Returns From Mohave County". Mohave County Miner. November 23, 1916. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  26. ^ "Who's Who In Legislature Of Arizona This Year". Tombstone Weekly Epitaph. November 19, 1916. p. 1. Archived from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  27. ^ "W. P. Mahoney For Sheriff". Mohave County Miner. March 23, 1918. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  28. ^ "Untitled". Mohave County Miner. February 16, 1918. p. 4. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  29. ^ "Office Of The Board Of Supervisors Of Mohave County, State Of Arizona". Mohave County Miner. October 5, 1918. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  30. ^ "Office Of The Board Of Supervisors Of Mohave County, State Of Arizona". Mohave County Miner. November 30, 1918. p. 17. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  31. ^ "For Sheriff". Mohave County Miner. May 22, 1920. p. 14. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  32. ^ "Partial Returns Mohave County Primary Election". Mohave County Miner. September 11, 1920. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  33. ^ a b "Office Of The Board Of Supervisors Of Mohave County, State Of Arizona". Mohave County Miner. November 20, 1920. p. 8. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  34. ^ "Sheriff". Mohave County Miner and Our Mineral Wealth. April 28, 1922. p. 8. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  35. ^ "W. P. Mahoney Wins Democratic Nomination In Heated Contest". Mohave County Miner and Our Mineral Wealth. September 15, 1922. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  36. ^ a b "Final Count of Vote Cast In Primaries". Mohave County Miner and Our Mineral Wealth. September 22, 1922. p. 6. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  37. ^ "Mahoney For Mine Inspector". The Williams News. April 16, 1926. p. 4. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  38. ^ "Luke and Murphy In Neck and Neck Fight In Commissioner Race". Tucson Citizen. September 10, 1926. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  39. ^ "Lee Garrett Named As Head of New State Relief Setup". Arizona Daily Star. March 24, 1937. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  40. ^ "Board Member Reappointed". Arizona Republic. June 12, 1940. p. 21. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  41. ^ "Phoenix Man Chairman State Security Board". Tucson Daily Citizen. July 21, 1943. p. 9. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  42. ^ "Senate Okays Health Board Appointments". Arizona Republic. March 9, 1949. p. 11. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  43. ^ "Mahoney Resigns From State Post". Arizona Daily Star. April 4, 1952. p. 2. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  44. ^ "Governor-Elect Fannin Has Dozens of Appointments To Make After January 5". Arizona Daily Star. November 23, 1958. p. 25. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
Retrieved from "https://en.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=W._P._Mahoney&oldid=1162083824"