CHARLES A. SHIBELL
History of Arizona, 1896

There are few names of more prominence in Pima County, Arizona 
than that of Charles A. Shibell, the most efficient county 
recorder. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, August 14, 1841 
and partly educated in the public schools of that city, but 
later finished in Iowa College.  In 1860 he crossed the plains 
to California with a good sized company and stopped at Sacramento 
where he was employed as clerk in a general store.  In 1862 he 
turned his face to the south and arrived in Tucson Arizona May 
20 of that year, making the trip as a teamster for the 
government.  He was with the command that captured Tucson 
on that day and then went with this command to the Rio Grande, 
where he remained until January 1, 1863, afterwards returning 
to Tucson.  Here he was in the employ of the government until 
January 1, 1864, Tucson being the headquarters for the command 
troops, and handled supplies from Ft. Yuma to Tucson, a 
distance of 300 miles.  In the spring of 1864 the troops 
were ordered to the Rio Grande to be mustered out, their 
term having expired and Mr. Shibell remained at Tucson.

In the month of June 1864, he went to Cerro Colorado Mine, 
about seventy five miles southwest of Tucson and was there 
engaged in mining for about a year.  In May of the following 
year he went to a place called Sonoita River about thirty 
miles south of Tubac, and remained there until the early 
part of 1867.  While there he was attacked by Apache Indians 
and two or three of his men were killed.  On account of their 
constant depredations he was obliged to leave that place and 
in 1867 he came to Tucson.  Soon after he made application 
and became inspector of customs for the district of El Paso, 
which position he retained until 1869.  After this he kept 
a station twenty six miles northwest of Tucson, known as 
Desert Station, and was thus occupied until the latter part 
of 1872, when he embarked in the transportation business 
between Tucson and Yuma.

In the latter part of 1874 he became interested in politics and 
on the first of January of the following year was appointed 
deputy sheriff under W.S. Oury and was an incumbent of that 
position for two years.  Later he was elected sheriff, was in 
office two terms and then, upon retiring in 1881, engaged in 
the hotel business, which he conducted as proprietor of the 
Palace Hotel until 1883.  The two years following this he was 
engaged in merchandising and in 1887 was again appointed deputy 
sheriff, this time under Eugene O. Shaw, and was thus occupied 
until January 1, 1889.

In the fall of that year he was elected county recorder and is 
now discharging the duties of that position in a very able 
manner and to the satisfaction of all concerned.  There are 
few men who have acquitted themselves in office more creditably 
or who are more worthy of respect than Mr. Shibell. He is one 
of the pioneers of this part of Arizona and has witnessed most 
of its wonderful development.

Mr. Shibell's first marriage occurred in 1868 and four children 
were born to this union: Mary A., Lillie M., Charles B. and 
Mercedes A.  In 1877 Mr. Shibell married Miss Nellie Norton 
and the following children have been given them: Lionel J. 
and Orpha. Mrs. Shibell is a worthy member of the Episcopal 
Church.

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