JOSEPH MONIHON
History of Arizona, 1898

Among the pushing, progressive and enterprising men of 
Phoenix, Arizona, stands the name of Joseph Monihon, who 
is sanitary commissioner of that city.  He was born in St. 
Lawrence County, New York, May 10, 1854 and like many of 
the representative men of this section, his early life was 
passed on a farm and his education was received in the 
common schools. He remained with his father on the home 
place until 1878 and then took the advice of Horace 
Greeley and turned his face toward the setting sun.  He 
traveled over California and April 5th of that year found 
him in Phoenix, Arizona. 

The first year of his residence in the Territory he worked 
for wages but later he bought a tract of land and engaged 
in ranching, which he still follows with much success. He 
has also speculated to some extent in city real estate and 
owns a half-interest in the St. Lawrence House and residence 
property.  When Mr. Monihon first came to Phoenix he had but 
thirteen dollars in money, but by careful and judicious 
investment soon accumulated property to the amount of 
thousands.  He owns eighty acres two miles west of 
Phoenix and this is well stocked with horses and cattle 
and is considered very valuable.  for a number of years 
now he has been quite an extensive stockman and has been 
unusually successful. He fattens cattle for the market 
and makes money at this.

After residing in the Territory for a few years Mr. Monihon 
returned to New York and opened a store at Chase Mills, in 
St. Lawrence County and continued in business there for 
about three years.  Finding that he was not making much 
money, he returned to Phoenix and is now one of the 
substantial men of his section.  On the resignation of M.E. 
Hurley as live stock sanitary commissioner, in 1895, our 
subject was appointed by Governor Hughes to fill that 
position.  Mr. Monihon is a thorough stock man and his 
appointment to that position was quickly appreciated by 
the people. When he first came to Arizona there was not a 
brick house, nor indeed a frame house in the town of 
Phoenix and the nearest railroad was at Yuma. He has 
been a resident of this section for seventeen years and 
is classed among the best citizens of the place.

He was married August 17, 1880 to Miss Ella McMorris, a 
native of California. Mr. Monihon is a Democrat and an 
ardent supporter of his party.

USGenWeb Project NOTICE: 
In keeping with our policy of providing free information 
on the internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as
long as this message remains on all copied material. These 
electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for
profit, nor for commercial presentation by any other organization. 

Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must 
obtain express written permission from the author, or 
the submitter and from the 
listed USGenWeb Project archivist. 

submitted by burns@asu.edu