Charles James McCarthy (ER 1915-1916) stood up for Queen Liliuokalani in 1893, and 25 years later, as Governor, he did it again.
PER McCarthy, born 1861 in Boston, spent his early life in San Francisco. There his business career began with a fruit wholesaler. In March 1881, he came to Honolulu representing that firm, and quickly entered the life and politics of Hawaii. His community work began in a volunteer fire company. In 1890, he joined the Kingdom’s House of Nobles. He held the position of secretary of the Legislature in 1892.
During the revolution, on Jan. 16, 1893, royalist McCarthy arrived alone and unarmed to defend the Judiciary Building. Expecting others to come armed, he later admitted: “I just had my police whistle.” He found himself nearly alone there. For his actions, the press labeled him “a one man army.” He posed a sufficient threat, that in May 1893 Sanford Dole issued an order for his arrest in case of an attack upon the provisional government.
Post-1893, McCarthy took to drink ... as proprietor of the Criterion Saloon. He operated the bar and wholesaled spirits and cigars in the 1900s. He returned to government as Territorial Senator, 1907-11; Board of Harbor Commissioners 1911 - 1918; elected Treasurer of Honolulu, 1912-14, and Treasurer of the Territory, 1914- 1918.
Appointed Governor by President Woodrow Wilson, he took office June 22, 1918. For McCarthy’s swearing in, 616 sent a ‘floral tribute’ and in keeping with World War I food restrictions #[1], offered no welcoming banquet.
Gov. McCarthy served during a less contentious time from Governor-Elk Pinkham’s term. Pinkham dealt with the privations and stress of World War I and territorial prohibition of liquor. In McCarthy’s term the war concluded, the 19th Amendment gave women voting rights, the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act took form, the University of Hawaii organized, and Duke Kahanamoku won an Olympic medal.
McCarthy was instrumental in securing Washington Place, Liliuokalani’s home, as the Governor’s residence and as a memorial to the Queen. He moved into the house in Oct. 1918 and the purchase was completed in 1921.
After his term as Governor (1918- 1921), McCarthy represented the Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC. He returned to Hawaii in 1923 as a manager with Hawaiian Dredging Co., focused on Ala Wai Canal building. He retired from business in 1927 when he joined the Honolulu Sewer and Water Commission.
PER McCarthy was initiated as an Elk in San Francisco Lodge 3 in July 1901, but is considered a founding member of 616. Before and after service as ER, he worked on committees. For example, McCarthy was Delegate to the 1917 “Grand Lodge Reunion.”
McCarthy took leadership roles in the Fraternal Order Eagles, International Order of Foresters, Knights of Pythias, and Pan-Pacific Union. He built a professional network in the Ad, Myrtle Boat, and Oahu Country Clubs.
He married Margaret Morgan, in Honolulu, Jan. 16, 1889. In photos, McCarthy frequently wears a boutonniere of petals from 5 coral Hibiscus as a tribute to their 5 daughters. Mrs. McCarthy owned and operated the Donna Hotel near the family home, 1234 S. Beretania St.[2] With the help of daughter Eileen and an army of staff, guests experienced tropical luxury.
PER McCarthy passed away Nov. 26, 1929. Government offices closed; flags flew at half-staff. Burial at Diamond Head Cemetery[3] followed a funeral mass at Sacred Hearts Church on Wilder. Pallbearers represented business and government old and new (W. F. Dillingham; Curtis P. Iaukea; Mayor John Wilson). A Daughters & Sons of Hawaiian Warriors honor guard stood watch for member McCarthy. His coffin was draped with his Warriors’ dark gray cloak. It was hardly the “simple as possible” funeral McCarthy had requested, but it brought together for the last time the divergent threads of his life.
Anita Manning, Lodge Historian
References:
Bartels, H. J. Curator Washington Place, personal communication
Dole, S. B. to J. H. Soper. May 3, 1893 Exec. Misc. Local, Haw State Archives
Honolulu Advertiser Apr 19 1918; Oct 9 1918; May 12 1921; Nov 27, 28 1929; Jun 21 1948;
Sept 11, 1950; Apr 10 1985
Men of Hawaii, 1921 and 1930, Honolulu Star-Bulletin Printing.
Membership Records 616
Minutes 616: Jun 15, 22, Sept 21, 28, 1917
[1] Speakers at a 616 meeting gave “eloquent addresses on the subject of food conservation.”
[2] Site of Schuman Carriage Co. on Beretania St today
[3] His wife and 3 daughters are buried next to him.
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