Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 677.
 
WILLIAM F. McCAW

     architect, Portland, Oregon, was born in Dublin, Ireland, in March, 1850.
His ancestry were Scotch-English, and among them were men of prominence in
professional and army life. His parents, John and Martha (Conway) McCaw, removed
to Belfast in 1856, where the father conducted an extensive business in
architecture and building.
     William F. was educated in private schools at Belfast, and at the age of
twelve took his first lessons in drawing at the Model School of that city. At
the age of fifteen he then took up the study of architecture with his father, at
which he labored assiduously for six years, devoting three years to theory and
three years to practice in construction and building. He completed his first set
of plans at the age of eighteen years, and then superintended the construction.
He enjoyed the best of opportunities under his father's guidance, and was very
proficient in every detail of work.
     In 1872 young McCaw left his native land and set out to find new fields of
labor. He first visited Toronto, and was there employed as head draughtsman in
the office of William Irving, with whom he remained for three years. He then
opened an office of his own and conducted the same until 1881. At that time, on
account of failing health, he decided to seek a milder climate, and came to the
Pacific coast. Traveling through Washington and California, he arrived at
Portland in April, 1882, with a letter of introduction to Warren H. Williams,
with whom he subsequently became engaged. Some months later he entered into
partnership with E. Burton. A short time afterward, however, this partnership
was dissolved and he returned to the employ of Mr. Williams, with whom he
remained until January, 1884. He then opened an independent office, and
conducted the same successfully for a number of years. Among the prominent
buildings of his design and superintendence are the First Regiment Armory, First
Presbyterian, Grace Methodist, and United Presbyterian Churches, Portland
Cordage Works and many of the handsome residences of the city. In 1888 the firm
of McCaw & Martin was established, and in June, 1891, the firm of McCaw, Martin
& White, which is one of the prominent architectural firms of the city. They
designed the Dekum Block, Portland University buildings, Woman's Home, Gilman
House, Skidmore Block and many of the more elegant residences.
     Mr. McCaw was married in Toronto in 1874, to Miss S. A. Wardlaw, a native
of Belfast. They have two children, Geraldine S. and Josephine.
     He is a member of the A. O. U. W., K. of P. and one of the National Union.
He is First Lieutenant and Engineer officer on the Staff of Colonel Charles F.
Beebe, First Regiment, Oregon National Guards, and is now engaged in enlisting
the Engineer Corps of the regiment.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2008 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.