The San Francisco call., 1909-03-25
JOHN {. MCELROY
CALLED BY DEATH
Pneumonia Proves Fatal to City
Attorney of Oakland After
Weeks Illness

OAKLAND. March 24.-John Edmund
McElroy. city attorney OF Oakland, died
Of pneumonia shortly after half-past
II o'clock this morning at his home.
s5l Lee street. The end came quietly,
after the stricken man had spent all his
strength in a week long struggle with
the disease. Gathered beside his death
bed were the members of his family and
HIS physicians. who had labored con-
tinuousIy for IS hours to save his life.
TRIBUTE PAID BY MAYOR
All Oakland was plunged into sin
cere grief when it became known that
the city attorney had passed away.
Mayor Mott said: The death Of City
Attorney John E, McElroy removes
from a post Of Official duty and from
the ranks OF Oakland's citizens one
Of the best types Of men in this com
munity.'
Early this morning il was reported
that NcElroy had rallied and that, II
there were no alarming relapse, his
chances Of recovery were good. But at
10 o'clock Dr. Herbert Mohitt, who was
in the sick room, detected a change Tor
the worse, and although he Immediately
summoned his collea sues and assisted
them TO apply extreme restoratiVes. the
patient grew steadily weaker until the
end. The flags on all Of the buildings
of the municipal and county govern
ments. as well as on most OF the bust-
ness houses in the city. were immedi-
ately lowered TO half mast.
COLD FOLLOWED CAMPAIGN
AS result Of the arduous duties of
the recent municipal campaign AIcDlroy
was seized with a severe cold, which
developed into an attack of the grip
Wednesday. Serious results were not
anticipated. however. until Monday,
when il was found that pneumonia had
set in. Then the life struggle COM
menced. DR.. J. L. Milton at once took
up his station in the house and did not
leave his patients bedside uctil today.
Dr. Bernard McElroy, a brother of the
city attorney. DR.. Herbert c. AIomtt
and Dr. MUrry Johnson were called in
consultation and remained in attend
ance upon McElroy almost continuously
during the last two days OF his illness.
ENJOYED CONFIDENCE OF CITY
Few other men who ever occupied a
public office in Oakland have enjoyed as
fun a measure Of genuine confidence
and respect as did Citv Attorney Nc
Elroy. 4 stanch democrat, he was
nominated and elected three out OF the
four times he was chosen TO the city
atuorneyship on a republican ticket
carrying with him each time the in
dorsement OF his own party. II has
often been said that no man ever hon
estly criticised any Official act Of John
McElroy. He was loyal TO his oath OF
ofice, faithful TO his constituents and
true 10 his family and his multitude of
friends.
FUNERAL FRIDAY MORNING
McElroy was 3s years and 4
months Of age. He had always been
interested in every branch of the
Catholic church. His funeral will be
held from his late residence Friday
morning at $3.50 o'clock and thence 10
st. Francis de sales church, in which he
was a parishioner, where a solemn
requiem high mass viii be celebrated
Tor the repose Of his soul. The burial
VIII be IN st. Mary's cemetery.
In fraternal circles McElroy had al
ways been prominent. He was past
grand master of the knights Of Co
lumbus, leader in the Young Mems in
stitute and an active member Of the
Elks The Oakland Bar association is
taking an active part in the arrange
ments for the funeral.
McElroy's successor as city attorney,
in accordance with the provisions of
the city charter, viii be appointed by
Mayor Mott
LIFE SPENT IN STATE
John Z. McElroy was born in Oakland
IN 1870 and spent his entire life. with
the exception Of the years occupied by
his course at Santa Clara college. in
this city. He was the second son Of
James McElroy, a retired businessman
who lives here. He leaves three broth
ers and one sister, who are James ].
McElroy, a half brother: Dr. B. +. Nc
Elroy Of San Francisco, Henry L. Nc
Elroy of Oakland and Miss Mary Nc
Elroy OF Oakland.
During his early youth he spent his
spare hours at work in his fathers
store. He received his first education
IN the schools Of this city, and after
completing a course in Santa Clara. col
lege graduated from the Hastings col
lege OF law. In 1895 he was admitted
10 the bar and at once opened an Office
in Oakland. From the beginning he
was more than ordinarily successful
in his practice. Recently he had been
associated with State Senator John =,
Stetson in the law firm of McElroy &
Stetson.
He was married to Miss Anna Haas
OF Hayward, and one child, a boy now
, years OF age, was born Of the union.
McElroy was elected city attorney of
Oakland in 1903.