W. H. Armitage

W. H. Armitage, architect of San Francisco, is a native of England, and a son of John Armitage, a large manufacturer of Sheffield, where our subject was born in 1861. He was reared and received his preliminary education in and near his native city, and passed his junior examination at Cambridge before he was sixteen years of age. He went to London, taking the third-grade prize at South Kensington. Next he was articled to Stockton & Gibbs, prominent architects, and after serving his time there he came to the United States, and after serving in an architect’s office in New York he went to Denver for a time, and came to San Francisco in April, 1883, and opened an office. For the past seven years he has been identified with the profession, and has built up a very desirable business. Among the many buildings erected by him are: Herman Meese’s on Mission street, between Third and Fourth; Dodge Brothers, the Aaronson on Stockton street, the Yuma at San Diego, Dr. M. E. Gunzales’, Farmers’ Bank at Fresno (granite and pressed brick), the Clark residence, the Fabry Building, the Harley warehouse and many others. He has orders, and is preparing designs for several large brick buildings. He came here an entire stranger, and his success is owing to his own efforts, energy and ability.

THOMAS ASHWORTH

Thomas Ashworth, and old an honored citizen of San Francisco, is a native of the Empire State, born in New York city, September 14, 1825. His early boyhood was spent in his native city and up the Hudson river at Newburg and Poughkeepsie. During his boyhood he ran away from and went to sea. He sailed on several voyages to Europe, China, South America, the West Indies, and all over the world for some years, then located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he remained six or eight years. After the breaking out of the great gold excitement in California, he sailed on the George Law and came via Panama, thence on the John L. Stephens, and arrived in San Francisco in May, 1854. Like all who came here during the early days, he went to the mines, but returned here and engaged in hauling for the Pacific Warehouse for a year or two; then went to the mountains and bought half an interest in a water ditch in Shasta county, and continued working this and mining for several years. In 1858 he opened a hotel in Shasta county, and carried it on successfully until 1869, when it was destroyed by fire and he lost everything. He returned to San Francisco and operated in mining stock and real estate until 1875, and after that gave his attention to real-estate interests.

In 1882 he was elected a member of the Reform Board of Supervisors, on the same ticket with Mayor Pond, by a majority of over 10,000 votes. In 1884 he was elected to the office of Superintendent of Streets, and at the expiration of his term was re-elected to the same position. He has performed the duties of this exacting position with ability and credit to himself and satisfaction of the city. His success in life is owing to his own efforts and good management. He never borrowed a dollar, and never has wanted for it. He is charitable and generous.

Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 1, pages 628-629, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.