GILBERT SCORSE

One of the best known families in the vicinity of Holbrook, Navajo 
County is that of Scorse, of which Gilbert is a worthy 
representative.  The family was established here by Mr. 
Scorse's grandfather, Henry H. Scorse, who ws a pioneer of 
this state and was located at Holbrook in 1879.  He was a native 
of Cheddar, England, where he was reared to young manhood when 
he came to the United States.  He soon came to the western 
part of the country and for a number of years his activities 
embraced the states of Montana, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, 
Utah, Texas and California as well as British Columbia.  He 
was a driver on the old Star Route of the Santa Fe Trail and 
had an active part in many of the stirring events of the 
pioneer days.  He became one of the earliest business men in 
Arizona territory and at one time had the honor of being the 
oldest merchant in northern Arizona. He located in Holbrook 
in 1879 and settled on a ranch just east of the city, where 
he engaged in sheep raising.  Later he also bred and raised 
cattle and he also brought o this part of the territory the 
first horses, not Indian horses.  The Indians gave him much 
trouble in the earlier days of his ranching here, stealing 
his stock but he had the courage to persist and in the course 
of time owned the largest, best managed and profitiable sheep 
and cattle ranch in this section of the state.

In the early 80's he established in Holbrook the first blacksmith 
shop, as well as a tent store called Horse Head Crossing, but 
in 1888 he suffered a severe loss in the fire which destroyed 
the city. In 1899 he established a general store, which he 
developed into a large and prosperous business and which 
was later managed by his son, Henry H. Jr.  Mr. Scorse long 
took a deep interest in the ancient historyr of this region 
and devoted much time and money in the collecting of relics 
of the former occupants of this section. He owned the most 
wonderful museum of prehisotric pottery in the world including 
the only Aztec idol ever discovered and it was a constant 
source of wonder and interst to those who saw the collection.

In Joseph City, Arizona Mr. Scorse married Julie Garcia and 
they became the parents of six children. Of these Henry H. Jr. 
who was born on July 24, 1888 entered upon his business career 
when but nineteen years of age.  He was long his father's 
assistant in the operation of the ranch and store, eventually 
taking over their management. He and his wife are now the 
owners of the Green Lantern Tea Room in Holbrook which has 
become very popular and is a prosperous enterprise.  Gilbert 
Scorse was born on April 7, 1907 in Holbrook. He received his 
early education in the public schools of Holbrook, Winslow and 
Tucson and had one year in the University of Arizona.  He is 
now the owner of an up-to-date filling station in Holbrook 
and is meeting with well merited success.

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