| William E. Dargie | |
| Birth Date: | 13 March 1854 |
| Birth Place: | San Francisco, California, USA |
| Death Place: | Oakland, California, USA |
| State Senate: | California |
| District: | 17th |
| Term: | January 7, 1889 - January 2, 1893 |
| Preceded: | Henry Vrooman |
| Succeeded: | William J. Dunn |
| Party: | Republican |
| Spouse: | Herminia Peralta |
| Children: | 1 |
| Occupation: | Publisher |
William Edward Dargie (March 13, 1854 - February 10, 1911) was an American newspaper publisher and politician.
Born in San Francisco, California, to John and Eliza G. Dargie. He graduated from Union Grammar School, one year he attended San Francisco High School. In 1867, Dargie, secured the position of bill clerk with the wholesale wood firm of Armes & Dallam. Dargie became an apprentice in the printer's trade at the San Francisco Bulletin, becoming a member of the International Typographical Union's, San Francisco Local # 21. As a journeyman printer, Dargie learned all the operations and jobs in the composing room. He was transferred to the editorial department as a reporter for the Bulletin.
He envisioned that Oakland and Alameda County would grow in the future and that the Oakland Tribune would be the major newspaper to serve the new populace. Using his knowledge from the composing room and editorial department, Dargie made the Tribune a newspaper of credibility. He hired an excellent staff and purchased the latest presses and linotype machines.
On December 15, 1881, Dargie married Hermina Peralta at San Leandro, California in the home of the bride's father Miguel Peralta. The couple's daughter died at birth, their son, William Edward Dargie, Jr. died at age 20. Dargie died in Oakland, California from the effects of a nervous breakdown and stroke. The California State Senate adjourned in honor of William E. Dargie. State Senator John W. Stetson of Alameda County praised the work of William E. Dargie. His widow, Hermina would be involved in a long legal battle over the purchase of the Oakland Tribune with former U.S. Congressman Joseph R. Knowland.
The Peralta-Dargie Family have two large burial plots one located at Saint Mary Cemetery, and another at Mountain View Cemetery, both in Oakland.