Matthew Nunan
San Francisco Sheriff 1876-1879

Nunan was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1836, and was fourteen years old when he immigrated to the United States. In 1855, he came to California, attracted by the mining camps and the promise of quick riches. He eventually became the owner of the Mission Street Brewery, an enterprise that suffered a $100,000 loss due to poor management. While Sheriff, he was instrumental in taking over the functions of the San Francisco House of Corrections and incorporating those functions into those of the Sheriff's Department.