GEORGE F. WESTFALL
Arizona, The Youngest State, 1913, pg 602

George F. Westfall, whose re-election to the office of 
Justice of the Peace in Florence proves the efficacy and 
acceptability of his services, is one of the early settlers 
of Arizona.  He came to the territory in 1875 and although 
his residence here has not been continuous, he has spent a 
great deal of the intervening time here, being connected in 
an important way with mining and ranching interests.

Mr. Westfall was born in Galena, Illinois, May 14, 1850 and 
spent his childhood and youth in that section. In 1874 he 
came west to California and from there drove a sixteen mule 
team across the desert from Los Angeles to Mineral Park, 
Arizona, locating in this state in the spring of 1875.  He 
at once turned his attention to mining and prospecting, 
working in the Surbat Coal Mine in Mohave County and also 
acting as manager of a mine near Casa Grande. He later 
returned to California but after four years came again to 
Arizona, resuming mining at Silver King and then in the 
Raymond Mine. In the fall of 1897 he again left this state 
and went to Dawson, Alaska at the time of the discovery of 
gold where he mined for short time, returning to Arizona 
and settling in Florence.  He prospected and was finally 
successful, operating a productive copper mine near Florence 
from which he is now taking valuable ore. 

He acquired one hundred and sixty acres of government land and 
has about sixty acres of his property under cultivation. It is 
well watered and needed improvements have been installed.  Mr. 
Westfall conducts this as a poultry farm, raising high grade 
chickens, the sale of which is a profitable source of income 
to him. He also raises hogs and alfalfa for feed.  He served 
for six years as constable for the Mill Company at Silver 
King. He has been successful in his business affairs.  In 
September 1911, Mr. Westfall was appointed Justice of the 
Peace to fill out an unexpired term until January 1, 1912 
but continued to hold the office until 1914 at which time 
he was elected to the same position, the duties of which 
he has most faithfully performed.

Mr. Westfall married Miss Mary Yepiz, a native of Mexico and 
they have five children, Sarah E. and Mary E., both in the 
post office at Florence; Mabel A., James L.; and Alfred J.  
All were born in Florence.

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