William Gilmore McCarty, postmaster of Jefferson City, was born in the McCarty Hotel, on McCarty street, Jefferson City, Mo., August 27, 1839, and is the son of Burr Harrison and Alzira (Hughes) McCarty. Burr Harrison McCarty was born in Loudoun County, Va., June 10, 1810, and came to Missouri, when a young man, previous to 1835. William Gilmore McCarty grew to manhood in Jefferson City, obtained a good schooling in private schools, supplementing it with a three years' course at the State University at Columbia, Mo., leaving it to attend a commercial course at Jones' Commercial College in St. Louis. He graduated from this institution in December, 1857. His early proclivities were for a commercial life, and he left the classics and sciences of the State University to graduate in the commercial school. The day before his graduation at Jones' College he received a commission as clerk of the Missouri State Penitentiary from Gov. R. M. Stewart, On January 1, 1858, three days after receiving his diploma, he entered upon the duties of his office, in which he served acceptably until October, 1861, being re-appointed by Gov. Claiborn F. Jackson, in January, 1861. Leaving the penitentiary incumbency, Mr. McCarty entered upon a commercial life in the wholesale grocery business at St. Louis, and remained there two years. He then became one of the lessees of Barnum' s Hotel, corner of Second and Walnut Streets, and operated this hotel for four years, leaving that business to return to Jefferson City to engage in the same business. At this place he leased the Madison Hotel, conducted it successfully for seven years, and then retired from it to carry on contracting in railroad ties. In 1882 he became secretary of the State Board of Equalization, and served during the latter half of Gov. Crittenden's administration, making the most efficient secretary that had filled the position in ten years, not an error ever having been found in the two years' work. In 1885 he was appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury clerk of the United States Court-house and postoffice building, and served in that capacity until his appointment as postmaster at Jefferson City, in which responsible position he has given universal satisfaction, and made a public record for executive ability, for his methodical and accurate business conduct of the office. Mr. McCarty was united in marriage in St. Louis, by Bishop E. R. Marvin, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, to Miss Mary J. Boyce, a native of Kentucky, and the daughter of James R. and Maria Boyce. Mrs. McCarty was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and died December 4, 1864, leaving a son and daughter; Rena, the eldest, is a graduate of the Monticello Seminary, of Godfrey, Ill., and Wilbur Lee is a graduate of the Jacksonville (Ill.) Business College, and a young man of bright promise and clear commercial training, and is now in the wholesale drug business, as a worthy knight of the gripsack. Mr. McCarty was married the second time to Mrs. Julia C. Fay, nee Merritt, a native of New York State, and a sister of Brig. Gen. Wesley Merritt, United States Army, and of Hon. Thomas E. Merritt, of Salem, Ill., who has had twenty years of unbroken and continuous legislative experience and service in the Senate and House of Representatives of Illinois. Mrs. McCarty is a member of the Episcopal Church, and is greatly esteemed by her acquaintances for her social qualities, and by her neighbors for her charities and kind-heartedness, and enjoys the reputation of being a model housekeeper, both in the hotel and in her private house. Mr. McCarty is an amiable, pleasing and agreeable gentleman socially to all who approach him, and in business affairs is prompt, determined and always fair, showing a degree of executive ability that commands confidence and respect. He has a large acquaintance among the leading and prominent citizens of the State, and among his fellow townsmen, where he is best known, no one more fully enjoys their respect and confidence than he does.

Transcribed from:
History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries, and Osage Counties, Missouri, Goodspeed Publishing Company (1889).