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X. N. Steeves

Posted 2025-10-30 by Jo Brown
X. N. STEEVES, PIONEER AND ABLE LAWYER DIED FOLLOWING OPERATION
Judge X. N. Steeves of Williams died Sunday evening at Mercy hospital, Prescott, following an
operation for bursted gall bladder. Judge Steeves, who had been feeble and not in good health
for some time, was suddenly taken very ill last Friday and was; on that day taken to the hospital
by Dr. C. D. Jeffries, his physician, and Arthur G. Brown, a friend of the judge, who occupied
part of the Steeves home. The operation was performed that evening, but with practically no
hope of the patient’s recovery.
Judge Steeves was one of the best known and mostly highly respected men in Coconino
county, where he had lived and practiced law ever since his arrival in Williams more than a
quarter century ago. He was born in Pennsylvania about 74 years ago, his parents having moved
there from New Brunswick, Canada, some four years before. While he was still a child the family
returned to New Brunswick. Deceased was only 13 when he struck out for himself, leaving home
and going to Portland, Me. He had only a dollar or so when he reached there, but he went to
work and studied hard to get an education. Then he taught school, part of the time at Lincoln,
Neb., where he studied law while teaching and was admitted to the bar. Then he came west and
for some time was in San Francisco as attorney for the board of trade. Following his residence
in California, Judge Steeves went to the Philippine Islands, for some time being attorney for the
Catholic archbishop of the Islands, though he himself was not a Catholic. When he arrived in
Williams he became associated in the law with Henry F. Ashurst, now senior U. S. senator from
this state. He served as Coconino county attorney and enjoyed an extensive law practice up to a
very few years ago when old age caused him to devote less time to his profession, though he
practiced it to some extent up to the time of his death. He had acquired considerable real estate
in and around Williams.
Mrs. Steeves died a few years ago. There are no children. He is survived only by a sister, who
lives in Monckton, Nova Scotia, and a brother, a wealthy mining man located somewhere in
Mexico. He was a life member of the Elks lodge of Portland, Ore. The funeral was held from his
home Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Harshman officiating, and the services at the grave were
under the auspices of the Elks, in accordance with his expressed wish.
There were many beautiful floral offerings, testifying to the high esteem in which he was held.
A quartette composed of Mrs. W. C. Rittenhouse, Mrs. F. E. Wells, V. C. Rosenbaum and E. R.
Byers furnished the vocal numbers. The pall-bearers were all long-time friends of deceased
— George Baumgartner, L. S. Williams, E. J. Nordyke, Dr. P. A. Melick, Ben Sweetwood and
Martin Buggeln.

The Coconino Sun
September 9, 1927

(Death certificate shows his name as X.N. Steeves)







Note: These obituaries are transcribed as published and are submitted by volunteers who have no connection to the families. They do not write the obituaries and have no further information other than what is posted within the obituaries. We do not do personal research. For this you would have to find a volunteer who does this or hire a professional researcher.

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