Families

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BAER, Erwin
CALLES, J. S.

CURRY, George H.
GARDNER, James I.

O'BRIEN, F. X.
OSENBURG, J. F.

SWILLING, Jack

BAER, Erwin

Artistic Photographer. Mr. Baer's popular establishment ranks as one of the foremost and most reliable enterprises of the kind in the entire city, and merits more than a passing notice. Mr. Baer has, by his artistic ability and business energy and enterprise, attained to the very highest standing in his profession, and secured a class of patrons that has spread the fame of his excellent work, until, to-day, his business is the largest in Northern Arizona.

Mr. Baer is a native of Switzerland, but has resided in this city since 1882, in which year he started the business which he has since rendered so complete a success. He is well known throughout the city and Territory, and his gallery has gained a marked degree of popularity. The building occupied by him is situated on Cortez street, next to the Bellvue Hotel, and is 18x50 feet in extent. It has, in addition to the studio and developing rooms, a large and handsomely-furnished reception room.

Mr. Baer makes a specialty of Arizona views of all kinds and will be pleased to give information to any one by letter regarding prices. Mr. Baer has achieved a position according him the highest place in the estimation of the community, and the respect and esteem of the general public.

--Contributed 2025 Aug 21 by Norma Hass, extracted from 1891 Arizona: A Comprehensive Review of It's History, Counties, Principal Cities, Resources and Prospects, Together with Notices of the Business Men and Firms Who Have Made the Territory by H. C. Stinson and W. N. Carter, page 140.

CALLES, J. S.

Manufacturer of Harness, Etc. One of the industries of the city of Prescott that forms a most important item in the sum total of her commerce is the branch in which Mr. J. S. Calles is engaged, viz.: harness-making and the various manufactures connected with it. There are but few branches of manufacture — especially in this southwestern country, whose products are so universally used and, consequently, in such steady demand. A moment's consideration of the conditions of transportation and of the several industries in which the people of Arizona are engaged, will at once explain the extent as well as the constancy of the demand for the work of the man who can fashion harness, make saddles and furnish all the other paraphernalia usually included in the general term "horse furniture." The harness-making establishment of Mr. Calles is one of the most complete to be found anywhere. It was founded in 1888 by the present proprietor on a very small capital, but, from its very inception, it increased steadily until it reached its present vast proportion. The premises occupied by him are situated on Montezuma street, in the center of the business part of the city, and are 20x40 feet in dimensions. In stock can be found, at all times, a complete line of harness and saddles of all descriptions, riatas, whips, bits and spurs, cowboy outfits, and in fact anything in his line.

Mr. Calles is a practical workman having served his apprenticeship in one of San Francisco's largest saddlery concerns, and, if one may judge from the prominent position he has held with different wholesale saddlery firms in California, he may be safely set down as one of the most skillful mechanics in his line in the West. He has, in fact, devoted his whole life to the endeavor to make himself entirely master of his business, and that he has succeeded in doing so is amply shown by the perfect confidence placed in him and his work by his wide circle of customers. So much, indeed, is this the case that his goods, manufactured by himself or under his direct supervision and guarantee are preferred, in every instance, to imported goods. This is one case, anyway, where it pays to encourage home industries and purchase home products — and it would be a good thing for the country if all home manufacturers adopted the same methods as Mr. Calles and achieved as satisfactory results.

CURRY, George H.

The leading jewelry establishment of Prescott is that of Geo. H. Curry, situated on Gurley avenue. Mr. Curry is a practical jeweler of extended experience, and has been established in this city since 1879. His handsome and well-regulated store, which is 25x50 feet in dimensions, is fitted up in a very elaborate manner, with fine show cases, etc. Here is to be found one of the best assorted and valuable lines of jewelry in the Territory, consisting of gold and silver watches of the most celebrated makes, jewelry in every style of mounting and device, silver and plated ware of every description, clocks, both imported and domestic, etc. In fact his stock, valued at $20,000, consists of everything kept in a first-class jewelry store. Mr. Curry is conversant with every detail of his business, and the success he has achieved is to be attributed to his constant attention to the wants of his patrons and his always dealing in a straightforward and honorable manner.

He was born in New York, but has resided in Arizona for the past eleven years and is regarded as one of our most enterprising and progressive citizens. Mr. Curry is Secretary of the Prescott Board of Trade.

GARDNER, James I.

Dealer in General Merchandise. Few persons are ignorant of the importance of the business carried on by Mr. Gardner, and few business houses in this city have such an extensive range of custom as has the proprietor of this concern. Established in 1883, the business has been a most successful one, extending, as it does, not only over the city and immediate environs, but also throughout the whole of Northern Arizona. The building occupied by Mr. Gardner is a commodious one, 25x75 feet in dimensions, with a warehouse adjoining for storage purposes. The stock, a large and complete one, consists of groceries, tobaccos, cigars men's furnishing goods, hats, caps, boots, shoes, notions, miners' supplies, etc. Directly opposite his present quarters, Mr. Gardner has, in process of erection, a handsome new brick store, 50x100 feet in area, which will be completed and occupied by him about March 1st, 1891. He also has a branch store at Jerome in this county.

Mr. Gardner was born in Missouri, but has resided in Arizona for the past eleven years. He is a courteous gentleman, of great experience and ability, and in every way worthy of the success he has achieved.

[1870 Census Prescott: J. Gardner, born about 1830 in Scotland, teamster.
1880 Census Prescott: James I. Gardner, born about 1857 in Missouri, single, father born in Virginia, Mother born in Kentucky.
Marriage Record: 30 Jun 1890 in Prescott, James I. Gardner and Rebecca E. Bell.
Birth Record: 25 Dec 1892 in Prescott, Gail I. [Irwin from draft cards] Gardner, son of James I. and Rebecca E. (Bell) Gardner.
1890 Voting Record Yavapai County: J. I. Gardner, age 31, born in Missouri.
1900 Census Prescott: James I. Gardener, born Jan 1858 in Missouri, father born Ohio, mother born Missouri; occupation gardener;
Wife Rebecca E. Gardener, born Aug 1864 in Missouri, 2 of 2 children living, father born Kentucky, mother born Missouri;
Son Gail J. Gardener, born Dec 1892 in Arizona;
Daughter Mary A. Gardener, born Jul 1891 in Missouri.
1910 Census Prescott: James Gardner, born about 1858 in Missouri, married, father born in Scotland, mother born in Missouri, occupation merchant of general merchandise;
Wife Rebeca Gardner, born about 1865 in Missouri, 2 of 2 children living, father born in Kentucky, mother born in Missouri;
Son Gail I Gardner, born about 1893 in Arizona
Daughter Mary F. Gardner, born about 1892 in Missouri.
1920 Census Prescott: James I Gardner, born about 1860 in Missouri, married, father born in Virginia, mother born in Missouri, retired merchant;
Wife Rebecka E. Gardner, born about 1863 in Missouri, father born in Kentucky, mother born in Missouri.
1930 Census Prescott: J. R. Gardner, born about 1860 in Missouri, married, father born Kentucky, mother born Missouri;
wife Rebeca E. Gardner, born about 1865 in Missouri; son Gail I Gardner, born about 1893 in Arizona, wife Delia Gardner, born about 1901 in New Mexico.
Death Certificate: James I. Gardner, son of James A. and Martha (Smith) Gardner, died 29 Apr 1935 in Prescott, Yavapai Co. AZ.
FindAGrave: James I. Gardner, born 15 Jan 1857, Boone County, Missouri, died 29 Apr 1935, Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona, Mountain View Cemetery, married.]

O'BRIEN, F. X.

According to O'Brien and Hutchinson family records, F. X. O'Brien was born in St. Louis in late 1848. He came west as a young man and along with, James Mahoney, discovered the Gold Bar Mine in 1877. O'Brien apparently spent time in the Wickenburg area, however his primary residence was Leadville, Colorado, in the 1870s and 80s, where he owned mining interests and a gambling establishment (The Board of Trade). He was an associate of Horace Tabor. In 1888, he returned to Wickenburg and married Patricia Hutchinson daughter of W. T. Hutchinson, an engineer at the Vulture Mine. The O'Brien family settled in Wickenburg, purchased Henry Wickenburg's home. After F. X.'s death, Patricia turned it into Wickenburg's first dude ranch. O'Brien held other mining properties including the Camp-B and Consolidated Union Grande Mining Companies. He was an officer in the Interior Mining and Trust Company that owned the Gold Bar, and managed it for the corporation. Business associates were a Mr. Twitchell and John Fisher. Both Fischer's and O'Brien's signatures can be seen on the 1907 Interior Mining and Trust stock certificate. A family photograph shows F. X. with his crew at the mine. The date is uncertain, and the quality of this photograph poor, but Mr. O'Brien can be seen on the far left. Later, he sold his interest in the mine. He died early in 1926 and is buried in Phoenix.
--Contributor unknown

OSENBURG, J. F.

Wholesale and Retail Manufacturer, and Dealer in Saddles, Harness, Etc. Mr. Osenburg commenced this business in 1882, and, being a practical workman, and a thorough-going and energetic man, has made it a success from the outset. He carries a well selected and comprehensive stock of leather and saddlers' supplies generally, and manufactures all kinds of saddles, harness, bridles, leggings, belts, scabbards, etc. He employs four experienced assistants, and his work is noted for its durability and elegance of finish. His premises, situated on Montezuma street, are 30x75 feet in extent, and are admirably arranged for the display of his large and valuable stock.

Mr. Osenburg was born in Ohio, and has been a resident of Arizona for the past nine years. His well-known reliability has secured for him an excellent class of customers, who know that his goods will always turn out to be as represented. It is only his just due to heartily recommend him to the public as an honorable and upright business man in every particular.

SWILLING, Jack

Jack SWILLING was one of the more unusual characters in 19th century Arizona history: he was an Indian fighter, miner, rancher, farmer, developer, entrepreneur, and a hell-raiser. He came to Arizona from South Carolina during the Civil War (eventually working for both sides). During his trips as a courier, he encountered the abandoned canals and irrigation ditches left behind by the Hohokam along the Salt River, and eventually founded the Swilling Irrigation Canal Company - to re-open and use them to water the fertile soil in the area. In 1867, his company began to clear the ditches: this is, in effect, the founding of Phoenix. He eventually sold his interest, and began a mining career in the Bradshaws (in 1873/74). The ranch, which he established in what is today Black Canyon City, had this cabin as his residence. Later, Swilling moved to Gillett (q.v.), but he kept the cabin until his death in 1878.
--Contributor unknown