MAYER, Sarah Belle

Prescott Evening Courier, Prescott, Arizona Territory Monday, November 12, 1934, page 1, column 5 Mrs. Mayer Of Mayer Is Dead Pioneer Resident, for Whose Family Town Was Named, Will Be Buried In Cemetery Here Mayer's longest resident and one of Yavapai county's best known women, Mrs Sarah Belle Mayer, 81, mother of Mrs. Robert N. Looney of this city, died last night in her Mayer home, where she had resided for more than 50 years. The town of Mayer, in fact, was named for the family, particularly the late Joseph Mayer who brought his bride shortly after their marriage in Globe, December 18, 1877, to Tip Top, and soon afterward to what was to become known as the town of Mayer to operate the stage station and a hotel, grocery store, and other businesses in connection. Mrs. Mayer was the daughter of Joshua and Martha Wilbur and Rangeley, Maine, was her birthplace in 1853. When she was a young girl, she removed with her family to Colorado. There her father died . Mrs. Wilbur taught school and reared her daughter who later was destined to go to Silver City, N.M., to reside with an uncle, brother of Mrs. Wilbur. It was in Silver City that Miss Wilbur met her future husband. For many years Mrs. Mayer was postmaster at Mayer and also was school trustee. All of her children were born in this county. Besides Mrs. Martie G. Looney, the wife of Dr. Looney, county health officer, they were Miss Mamie Belle Mayer, who lived with her mother; Wilbur Joseph Mayer, who lives in the town of Mayer; Mrs. Winifred (Tom) Thorp of Los Angeles, who left there at 5 p.m. Saturday and arrived in Mayer yesterday morning, accompanied by her two sons. The head of the family, Joseph Mayer, died in 1909 and lies buried in Mountain view cemetery. Fourteen years ago Mrs. Mayer broke her leg and hip and since they had been unable to move around much without the aid of crutches. Last January 7, 1931, she had a stroke and ever since then had been an invalid, though was able to get about to some extent in a wheel chair except for the last year of her life. Dr. Looney had made professional calls numerous times, while Mrs. Looney has been beside her mother all the time lately. Besides the children already mentioned and the two grandsons, Mrs. Mayer is survived by two grandsons, the children of Joseph Mayer. They are Joseph and Nelson, residents of Mayer. The grandson, Joseph, has a daughter, Dolores, Mrs. Mayer's great granddaughter. Miss Marjorie Belle Looney, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Looney and a student at Stephens college, Columbus, Mo., is another granddaughter of the pioneer Mayer woman. Mrs. Mayer reared Consuela Gruwell, who is now Mrs. St. Clair, residing in Phoenix. The Lester Ruffner Funeral Home this afternoon announced services are scheduled for 9 A.M. Wednesday in Sacred Heart Catholic church, burial to follow in Mountain View cemetery, beside the remains of Mrs. Mayer's husband.