Rosario Brena
Arizona, The Youngest State, 1913

Rosario Brena, founder, president and manager of the Brena 
Commercial Company for nearly thirty years is now deceased.  
He was born in Sonora, Mexico in 1854 and was there reared 
and educated.  In 1878 he came to Tucson and entered the 
employ of L. Zeckendorf and Company for whom he worked 
about six years.  He then embarked in the grocery business 
on his own account and was engaged in the retail trade 
until 1901. He opened a wholesale establishment under the 
name of the Brena Commercial Company of which he was 
president and general manager until his death, which 
occurred on the 18th of January 1914.  It was the only 
exclusive wholesale store of the kind in Arizona and it 
prospered from the very first.  Mr. Brena enlarged his 
business from time to time to meet the growing demands of 
his trade and it is now one of the city's most thriving 
commercial establishments.  Its trade now covers southern 
Arizona and a large portion of the territory of old Mexico.  
In addition to his commercial enterprise, Mr. Brena at one 
time owned and conducted a large cattle ranch in the Sopori 
district.

Mr. Brena was united in marriage to Miss Mary Cotton who was 
born in Mexico of American parentage and they became the 
parents of two sons: Pedro C., who is mentioned below and 
Rosario C., who died August 8, 1911.

Pedro C. Brena who is now president and general manager of 
the Brena Commercial Company was reared at home and completed 
his education in the University of Arizona.  After leaving 
school, he entered his father's office and for twelve years 
was connected with him in business.  In 1912 he married Miss 
Concha Calderon, a native of Mexico.





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