Graham County AZ Archives Biographies.....Solomon, I. E. 1844 - living in 1896
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/az/azfiles.html
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com March 8, 2005, 12:53 am

Author: McFarland & Poole

p. 597-598

I. E. SOLOMON. This prominent merchant and farmer of Solomonsville, Arizona, was
born in Germany in 1844, and in that country received his education and was
taught the mercantile business. When sixteen years old, in company with his
eldest sister, Anna, young Solomon sailed for America, and landed at New York
City. From there he went to Pennsylvania and located on the Susquehanna River in
Bradford County. He engaged as a clerk with an uncle and remained in his employ
for three years, when he embarked for himself in the livery and exchange stable
business, following staging, etc., in Towanda, Pa., until 1876. From there he
went to New Mexico intending to make his future home in that section, but
becoming dissatisfied made his way to Arizona in the early summer of 1876, and
settled on the place where he now resides, when there were about half a dozen
white families in the settlement. He located forty acres of what is now the town
site of Solomonsville, and opened a store, which was run in a rather crude way
for a few years. He kept adding to his small stock until he now has a fine large
store and is doing a flourishing business. About the year 1878 the town was
named Solomonsville in honor of our subject, who had the credit of building up
the town and forming the settlement. In 1880 the postoffice was established at
Solomonsville and Mr. Solomon was the first postmaster, holding the position for
sixteen years, through all the administrations except Cleveland's last term. He
was appointed county treasurer of Graham County by Governor Fremont, held the
position one term, and so well were the people satisfied with his services while
an incumbent of that position that he was re-elected, serving in all four years.
He has never sought office but has declined some very flattering propositions.
Mr. Solomon has had some interesting experiences with the Indians, living near
the Apache reservation, and was always in danger. He had a large flock of sheep
and hired men, women and children to herd them. Twelve men, one woman and a
child were murdered by the Indians while watching the sheep. One of the men was
tied to a tree and stoned to death. The remainder were shot, and about 500 head
of sheep were killed. About two years after this Mr. Solomon started for a trip
to New Mexico, accompanied by his brother Adolph, who was ill. There were no
doctors in Arizona at that time. They started with two teams and two men to Las
Cruz, Mexico, but when about thirty miles from El Paso on Upper Gila, Adolph was
taken worse and it was feared that he could not make the trip. He and Mr.
Solomon concluded to take the stage from Silver City. Both teams went on.
however, and were attacked at Cook's Canyon, near Fort Collins, New Mexico, by
the Indians. One horse was killed, the balance taken and the men and wagons
burned. The soldiers from Fort Bayard found two photographs of Mr. Solomon's
daughters and knew that the teams must belong to him. About three years after
this Mr. Solomon and wife and children started with three teams to Las Cruz, New
Mexico. When about sixteen miles from home they camped for the night and one of
the children was taken sick. Fearing that the child might get worse Mr. Solomon
sent his wife and family back home, but he continued the trip two days later.
When he arrived at Fort Cummins, New Mexico, he learned that the stage had been
attacked the day before and five men murdered, one of whom was a young man,
Major Maddens son, who had just returned from school. Thus by being delayed one
day the lives of the whole party were saved. Mr. Solomon has had many other
experiences with Indians and with road agents, being held up by the agents in
the early days, but he has always been lucky. He has been industrious and
progressive and is yet the owner of about 1,300 acres of fine land near
Solomonsville. He still deals in sheep and cattle. At the present time he is
interested in three canals, Montezuma, San Jose and Darby, and is president of
all. He owns considerable valuable town property. In the year 1872 he returned
to Germany and there married Miss Anna Frendenthal. They have six children:
Charles, Eva, Rosa, Harry, Lillie and Blanch. Harry is a student in a military
school at San Rafael Academy, Cal. In his political views Mr. Solomon is a
Republican. About eight miles from his place they are experimenting for coal,
with fair prospects.


Additional Comments:
From:

A Historical and Biographical Record of the Territory of Arizona
Published by
McFarland & Poole, Chicago, 1896

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/az/graham/bios/gbs101solomon.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/azfiles/

File size: 5.1 Kb