Résumé

William D. Shea worked extensively for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco, designing at least seven churches in San Francisco. His obituary in the Redwood City Standard newspaper listed some of his most famous works in that city: “Shea was the supervising city architect in San Francisco during the days immediately following the fire of 1906. With his brother, the late Frank Shea, he designed some of the most outstanding buildings in San Francisco, among them the dome of the old City Hall, destroyed in the 1906 disaster, and the chapel at Holy Cross cemetery and the churches of St. Brigid’s, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Paul’s, St. James, Holy Cross, Star of the Sea and St. Monica.” (See "Noted Architect of Atherton Dies in San Francisco," Redwood CIty Standard, vol. 45, no. 29, 07/21/1931, p. 1.)

Draftsman, San Francisco, CA, 1888. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Registers, 1888; Collection Number: 4-2A; CSL Roll Number: 67; FHL Roll Number: 977629, accessed 01/25/2024.)

Principal, William D. Shea, Building Contractor, San Francisco, CA, c. 1892. San Francisco voter records noted that William Shea was a "builder" in 1892. (See Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Registers, 1892; Collection Number: 4-2A; CSL Roll Number: 88; FHL Roll Number: 977606, accessed 01/22/2024.)

Partner, [Frank T.] Shea and Shea, Architects, San Francisco, CA, 1891-1905. From at least 1891 until 1904, Shea and Shea maintained their offices in the building at 26 Montgomery Street.(See the San Francisco Directory, 1891, p. 1248 and San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1905, p. 1681.)

City Architect, San Francisco, CA, 1904-1907. Shea was a political ally of the Union Labor Party (ULP) candidate Mayor Eugene "Handsome Gene" Schmitz(1864-1928)and the three affiliated members of theSan Francisco Board of Supervisors. As a result, the ULP, and its policital boss, Abe Ruef (1864-1936), named Shea "City Architect" in 1904. Sheawas replaced by Newton J. Tharp(1867-1909)in 1907, amid allegations of graft.

Principal, W.D. Shea, Sr., Company, Architect, San Francisco, CA, 1907-1919 . In the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire, Shea and Shea ceased to exist. William D. Shea became San Francisco's City Architect, while Frank Shea went into practice with John Lofquist(1876-1941). Frank T. Shea also entered into a partnership with John O. Lofquist. William Shea operated an office at 350 Larkin Street between 1907 and 1910, while Shea and Lofquist worked at 1425 Post from 1907 until 1909. (See San Francisco City Directory, 1907, p. 1744 and San Francisco City Directory, 1909, p. 1710.)

William D. Shea's name did not appear in the list of architects in the San Francisco City Directory, 1911, p. 1785. He may have been traveling during this year. In 1912, he reopened an office at 244 Kearny Street. (See San Francisco City Directory, 1912, p. 1830.)

Between 1920 and 1924, William D. Shea and Frank T. Shea were listed as having offices in the Chronicle Building. Their names were listed separately, with the implication that they had separate practices during this time. (See San Francisco City Directory, 1920, p. 1676, and San Francisco City Directory, 1924, p. 1515.)

Partner, Shea and Shea, Architects, San Francisco, CA, 1925-1930. This partnership leased Room #400 at 454 Montgomery Street between 1925 and 1930. (See San Francisco City Directory, 1925, p. 1994, and San Francisco City Directory, 1930, p. 1822.)

Principal, W.D. Shea, Architect, San Francisco, CA, 1931. Shea operated an architectural office at 454 Montgomery Street in 1931, the year of his death. (See San Francisco City Directory, 1931, p. 1801.)

Relocation

William Dennis Shea, Sr., was part of a large, Irish-American family. His parents Michael and Mary relocated from Ireland during the early-to-mid-1850s, possibly settling first in NY, and then relocating to IL, where his brother Frank was born in 1859. The Sheas then relocated to CA, likely between 1862 and 1863. A "Michael Shea," a laborer, appeared in the San Francisco City Directory, 1863,(p. 325), living on the south side of Ellis Street between O'Farrell and Leavenworth Streets.

William Shea, Sr.'s, date of birth has been difficult to pin down. It was likely in 1866, but the 1900 US Census indicated it to have been in 04/1867. His age given at this death on 07/17/1865 was 65, meaning he was probably born in 1866.

The US Census of 1870, taken on 07/ 28/1870, recorded that William Shea lived with his parents Michael and Mary in Census Ward #12 of San Francisco, CA. He was one of six children. The household also included two boarders who had recently immigrated from Ireland, James Keating (born c. 1840 in Ireland) and Mary Keating (born c. 1842 in Ireland). At the time, this census ward included many Irish immigrants. Some of the Shea's neighbors were quite successful financially, with one owning $15,000 worth of real estate and having assets of $3,000. The Sheas, too, had done well, owning $8,000 worth of real estate and possessing $300 in assets. While the personal assets were not remarkable, the Shea's real estate holdings were more valuable than the nearby average. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1870; Census Place: San Francisco Ward 12, San Francisco, California; Roll: M593_85; Page: 743B, accessed 01/18/2024.)

The Sheas dwelled at 2609 Polk Street in San Francisco, according to the 1880 US Census. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1880; Census Place: San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Roll: 78; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 195, accessed 01/18/2024.)

The Register of Precinct 1, 41st Assembly District of San Francisco County, in 1888, indicated that William D. Shea lived with his father, Michael Shea, a carpenter, at 2613 Polk Street. He remained at this Russian Hill address between 1888 and 1896, at least. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Registers, 1888; Collection Number: 4-2A; CSL Roll Number: 67; FHL Roll Number: 977629, accessed 01/25/2024, and Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Registers, 1896; Collection Number: 4-2A; CSL Roll Number: 103; FHL Roll Number: 977259, accessed 01/18/2024.)

As per 1898 the San Francisco County voter register, Shea resided at 1422 Green Street, another house owned by his father. This Green Street/Russian Hill neighborhood had many residents of Irish, British and German extraction living in it. Shea lived at 1422 Green until at least 1900. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation: California State Library, California History Section; Great Registers, 1898; Collection Number: 4 - 2A; CSL Roll Number: 74; FHL Roll Number: 977638 and Source Citation: California State Library, California History Section; Great Registers, 1866-1898; Collection Number: 4 - 2A; CSL Roll Number: 116; FHL Roll Number: 977277,accessed 09/24/2015 and Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Register of Voters, 1900, accessed 01/18/2024.)

Shea resided at 282 Frederick Street in San Francisco, between 1904 and 1908. This residence was about five blocks east of Golden Gate Park. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Register of Voters, 1904, and Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Register of Voters, 1908, accessed 01/18/2024.)

By 1910, Shea and his family lived on the northeast corner of Ellis and Leavenworth Streets in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood. In 1914, voter records listed the address of William and Preciosa L. Shea as being 473 Ellis Street. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Register of Voters, 1914, accessed 01/18/2024.)

Preciosa and William Shea lived at 1624 Sacramento Street in 1925. They may have occupied Unit #4.

Shea also designed a large weekend house in Atherton, CA, a popular location for wealthy San Franciscans seeking warmer termperatures, particularly in the summer and fall. This house was likely completed c, 1920. A short note was published in the Redwood City Times-Gazette on 07/24/1931: “W.D. Shea, the widely known architect, who passed away in San Francisco this week, was a resident of Atherton ten years ago. He built a palatial home on the highway in Watlington Park. It is now owned by Mr. Sutton, the millionaire and one of the promoters of the Dumbarton Bridge. Shea designed many of the large buildings in San Francisco. He built the Knights of Columbus hall at San Mateo.” (See "Menlo Park," Redwood City Times-Gazette, 07/24/1931, p. 6.)

According to the 1930 US Census, Shea resided in an apartment building at 1450 Green Street in San Francisco. The apartment building housed 3 other families in addition to Shea's and had a value of $20,000. William, Sr., lived here with wife Preciosa and his children Nellie and William, Jr. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Roll: 207; Page: 16A; Enumeration District: 0343; Image: 727.0; FHL microfilm: 2339942, accessed 09/24/2015.)

As noted above, he died at age 65 in San Francisco. The Redwood City Standard newspapers said of this death: William D. Shea, prominent San Francisco architect and former resident of Atherton, passed away in San Francisco last Friday following a heart attack. Though in ill health for several years, Shea was supposed to be on the road to recovery until he collapsed in his chair at his home, 1450 Green street.” (See "Noted Architect of Atherton Dies in San Francisco," Redwood CIty Standard, vol. 45, no. 29, 07/21/1931, p. 1.)

Parents

His father was Michael Shea (born 1830 in Ireland-d. 05/17/1901 in San Francisco, CA). Michael had been naturalized in the US 4th District Court, San Francisco, on 08/26/1875. The US Census of 1870 indicated that Michael was a journeyman carpenter. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1870; Census Place: San Francisco Ward 12, San Francisco, California; Roll: M593_85; Page: 743B, accessed 01/18/2024.) He continued to work in carpentry as per the 1880 US Census. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1880; Census Place: San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Roll: 78; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 195, accessed 01/18/2024.)

His mother Mary Shea (born c. 1822 in Ireland) managed the large household that included the following children: Mary Shea (born c. 1856 in either Ireland or NY-d. 01/08/1917 in CA), Anna Shea (born c. 1853 in Ireland), Margaret Shea (born c. 1855 in Ireland), Frank Thomas Shea (born c. 1860 in CA), Catherine "Kate" Shea (born c. 1863 in CA) and William, the youngest. There may have been other Shea children, some of whom died in infancy or childhood. At his death, he was survived by Catherine Shea Cantrell, Anna B. Shea, Margaret G. Shea, Regina L. Shea. (See "Noted Architect of Atherton Dies in San Francisco," Redwood CIty Standard, vol. 45, no. 29, 07/21/1931, p. 1, and "Deaths: Shea," San Francisco Examiner, 07/19/1931, p. 18.)

Frank T. Shea also became an architect, who worked in partnership with William.

It appears that Mary passed away sometime between 1870 and 1880 (likely before 1872), and Michael married another woman, Brigid R.Steele (born c. 1836 in Ireland-d. 12/31/1921 in San Francisco, CA). With her, Michael may have had another daughter, Elizabeth Regina Shea (born c. 1873 in San Francisco, CA). In 1920, the US Census found Brigid living in an apartment at 2510 Pine Street with her step-daughters Anna and Margaret and daughter Elizabeth (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1920; Census Place: San Francisco Assembly District 31, San Francisco, California; Roll: T625_136; Page: 16A; Enumeration District: 156, accessed 01/18/2024.)

Spouse

He married his wife, Preciosa Leonie Pracht (born c. 08/1875 in CA), when she was 19 and he 34, in about 1901. In 1900, the US Census indicated that Preciosa worked as a music teacher in San Francisco.

Preciosa was the eldest child of four had by August Pracht (born c. 01/1842 in Prussia-d. 10/05/1908 in San Francisco, CA)) and Julia Wittman (born 02/05/1853 in IL-d. 12/25/1922 in San Francisco, CA). They married about 1875.

August worked as a retail grocer in 1880 and a carpenter by 1900. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1880; Census Place: San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Roll: 79; Page: 151B; Enumeration District: 207, accessed 01/18/2024 and Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1900; Census Place: San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Roll: 106; Page: 6; Enumeration District: 0254, accessed 01/18/2024.)

Children

He and his wife had two children when surveyed by the 1930 US Census: Preciosa Eileen "Nellie" Shea Jones (born c. 1902 in CA) and William Dennis Shea, Jr., (born 11/04/1903 in CA-d. 12/04/1951 in San Francisco, CA).

William D. Shea, Jr., became a lawyer and in 1939 was the Secretary of the Trans Guarantee Company, Ltd, and the Union Transfer Company. (See San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1939, p. 1186.)

William D. Shea, Jr., served as a Lieutenant Commander in the US Naval Reserve between 08/26/1943 and 11/14/1945. (See Ancestry.com, Source Information Ancestry.com. U.S., National Cemetery Interment Control Forms, 1928-1962 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012, accessed 01/18/2024.)

Biographical Notes

The San Francisco County voter register of 1898 inidicated that William, at age 32, stood 5-foot-9-and-1/2-inches tall. He was Caucasian and had a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Registers, 1866-1898; Collection Number: 4-2A; CSL Roll Number: 116; FHL Roll Number: 977277, accessed 01/18/2024.)

In 1910, San Francisco County voter records indicated that Shea was a registered Republican. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Register of Voters, 1910, accessed 01/18/2024.) Four years later, William had become a redistered Democrat, while his wife Preciosa remained a Republican. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Register of Voters, 1914, accessed 01/18/2024.)

Member, Native Sons of the Golden West, San Francisco, CA, c. 1899. (See "Californians Are En Route," San Francisco Chronicle, 07/08/1899, p. 9.)

Member, Knights of Columbus, California Council #880.