Al Francis |
| Posted 2009-08-16 by Sharla |
| Phoenix (AZ) Gazette, August 27, 1942 Arizona Pioneer Is 90 Years Old Al Francis, state pioneer and foreman of the Z Triangle Ranch near Walnut Grove, will celebrate his 90th birthday today, and he will be right on the job looking after the cattle raising business of Mr and Mrs James Minotto just as he has been for the last 18 years. Mr Francis, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Arizona in 1881. He statrted punching cattle around Flagstaff and Williams. Then, his feet itching to touch the sands of the Pacific, he rode horseback to San Diego. From that city he made his way into Mexico and tried his hand at mining precious metal ores, but by 1893 he was back in Tombstone as a freighter. Later he operated a cattle ranch on Humbug creek, near Crown King. He took charge of the Minotto Ranch in 1924 and has been there since. ************* Arizona Republic, April 9, 1944 The thrill of the hunt still lives for Al Francis, Kirkland, 88 years old, pioneer who first came to Arizona in 1881. Every year for 20 years he's gotten his deer--and every year for 20 years he's sent 'the hind leg of a deer" to his old time friend in Phoenix, Dr Coit L Hughes, former state superintendent of public health, himself an Arizona resident since 1886. Dr Hughes and Mr Francis got together for a happy renewal of acquaintanceship at the State Fairgrounds yesterday, both being registered for the 20th Arizona Pioneers Reunion. ************* (no title; no date) Al Francis Dies At Mission Ranch Al Francis, 93-year-old Yavapai county pioneer, died about noon Wednesday at the Mission ranch of James Minotto, near Phoenix, according to word received from Minotto by the Courier. Francis had been with Minotto for 21 years, and up until his death had been in perfect health. He celebrated his 93rd birthday at the Z Triangle Ranch, belonging to Minotto, Aug 28, 1945. He was born in Erie County, Pa., in 1852 and came to Arizona in 1881. He handled teams for the construction of the Santa Fe railroad, and in the 80's lived a number of years in Prescott. He was a government packer for the U.S. army; later he prospected in Baja California. He then returned to Arizona and freighted ore in the heyday of Tombstone. At the turn of the century, he returned to Yavapai county and packed ore for the Orebelle mine at Crown King. He later bought a cattle ranch on Humbug creek which he operated until 1925 when he became manager of the Z Triangle ranch. He was extremely virile, and until he went to Phoenix, he still drove his automobile in from his ranch home for supplies. He could still read his newspaper without glasses until the end. Minotto said that funeral services would be held at 2 o'clock Friday at his Walnut Grove ranch. Courtesy Pat R See Also: Find A Grave |
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