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 William Mathewson Eddy

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William Mathewson Eddy

Birth
New York, USA
Death
Mar 1854 (aged 35)
San Francisco County, California, USA
Burial
San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, USA
Memorial ID
43510778 View Source

In November 1849, Eddy was appointed City Surveyor of San Francisco, and in December 1849, he was nominated to the office of State Surveyor General, although he lost the election to Charles J. Whiting by one vote. A few days later, however, Eddy was elected City Surveyor in the first charter election of San Francisco. In 1851 Eddy was elected State Surveyor General of California. Between 1850 and 1852, Eddy and his staff surveyed numerous city and private locations, and the majority of early maps of San Francisco were based upon Eddy's various surveys.

While Eddy was extremely active as a surveyor both in San Francisco and as California's Surveyor General, there is some question as to the accuracy of his work. This may be partially explained by poor instruments and inattention to detail.

Although facts regarding Eddy's education or background could not be ascertained, it is fairly certain that not only was he an experienced surveyor, but had some education in engineering as well.

Following his term of office, Eddy returned to San Francisco, where he died on March 10, 1854.

- California State Lands Commission

==
William Mathewson Eddy (1818-1854), who hailed from Massachusetts [sic], secured an appointment as San Francisco city surveyor shortly after arriving in California. He produced the first---if error-riddled---official map of San Francisco, and an early map of the state that depicts the Colorado River running in the wrong direction.

He was responsible for assigning names to the rapidly expanding metropolis and sold naming rights to local businessmen on a whim. He did very little actual surveying, his subordinates more apt to find him drunk in his office. He died, at age 34, from complications due to alcoholism. There is an Eddy Street in San Francisco that runs from Market into the Tenderloin, but it was not named in memoriam. William Mathewson Eddy named it after himself.

https://lizadaly.com/pages/arqtiq/
==
The funeral of W. M. Eddy Esq., took place yesterday morning at 11 o'clock from his late residence, and was largely attended.

Mr. Eddy came to California in 1849, in the pursuit of his profession as a surveyor, and at the first charter election received by a large majority the appointment of City Surveyor and was afterwards elected State Surveyor General.

Mr. Eddy was universally known in the city, and his death will be lamented by a large circle of friends.

- Daily Alta California, Vol 5, Number 69, 11 March 1854.

In November 1849, Eddy was appointed City Surveyor of San Francisco, and in December 1849, he was nominated to the office of State Surveyor General, although he lost the election to Charles J. Whiting by one vote. A few days later, however, Eddy was elected City Surveyor in the first charter election of San Francisco. In 1851 Eddy was elected State Surveyor General of California. Between 1850 and 1852, Eddy and his staff surveyed numerous city and private locations, and the majority of early maps of San Francisco were based upon Eddy's various surveys.

While Eddy was extremely active as a surveyor both in San Francisco and as California's Surveyor General, there is some question as to the accuracy of his work. This may be partially explained by poor instruments and inattention to detail.

Although facts regarding Eddy's education or background could not be ascertained, it is fairly certain that not only was he an experienced surveyor, but had some education in engineering as well.

Following his term of office, Eddy returned to San Francisco, where he died on March 10, 1854.

- California State Lands Commission

==
William Mathewson Eddy (1818-1854), who hailed from Massachusetts [sic], secured an appointment as San Francisco city surveyor shortly after arriving in California. He produced the first---if error-riddled---official map of San Francisco, and an early map of the state that depicts the Colorado River running in the wrong direction.

He was responsible for assigning names to the rapidly expanding metropolis and sold naming rights to local businessmen on a whim. He did very little actual surveying, his subordinates more apt to find him drunk in his office. He died, at age 34, from complications due to alcoholism. There is an Eddy Street in San Francisco that runs from Market into the Tenderloin, but it was not named in memoriam. William Mathewson Eddy named it after himself.

https://lizadaly.com/pages/arqtiq/
==
The funeral of W. M. Eddy Esq., took place yesterday morning at 11 o'clock from his late residence, and was largely attended.

Mr. Eddy came to California in 1849, in the pursuit of his profession as a surveyor, and at the first charter election received by a large majority the appointment of City Surveyor and was afterwards elected State Surveyor General.

Mr. Eddy was universally known in the city, and his death will be lamented by a large circle of friends.

- Daily Alta California, Vol 5, Number 69, 11 March 1854.

Gravesite Details

Removed from Yerba Buena Cemetery


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