Yavapai-Maricopa County AZ Archives Biographies.....Goldwater, Morris 1852 - living in 1896 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/az/azfiles.html ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com March 1, 2005, 10:28 pm Author: McFarland & Poole p. 458-459 HON. MORRIS GOLDWATER. Exchange and barter are two of the world's most important factors, and without these the public would indeed find themselves in a sorry plight. The calling of the merchant is one of the oldest, as well as one of the most honorable of all lines of industry, and the unusual success attained in it by him whose name heads this sketch, is the result of persevering and well-directed effort. He has had a purpose in life, and has worked with all his will for its attainment, the result being a high degree of success. Mr. Goldwater is the present Mayor of the city of Prescott, and was born in London, England, in January, 1852, a son of Michael and Sarah (Nathan) Goldwater, who were also natives of that city. In 1852 the father immigrated with his family to the New World, and for a time resided in San Francisco, Cal., but in 1858 took up his residence in Los Angeles. In 1860 he came to Arizona Territory, and afterward laid out the town of Ehrenberg, where he embarked in the mercantile business and in government contracting, which occupations he followed up to the building of the railroads. In 1870 he opened a mercantile establishment in Phoenix, and carried on business successfully at both places until 1874, and in. 1876 took up his residence in Prescott. Here he also established himself in business, but in 1883 retired from the active duties of life and removed to San Francisco, where his home has since been. His career as a business man was above reproach, and he was active, practical, and far-seeing, and with these qualities could hardly fail of success. He was one of the pioneers of Arizona Territory, and when he first located here the country was in a perfectly wild state, and Indians were numerous and hostile. He, with other whites, had several encounters with them, that were of quite a serious nature, in fact, he experienced many of the hardships and dangers that fall to the lot of the pioneer, but at all times he acquitted himself creditably. At that time his goods were freighted by male teams all over the Territory, and mail was received once a week. He and his wife became the parents of eight children: Morris, Mrs. P. N. Aronson, of San Francisco; Samuel, of California; Henry, of Prescott; Mrs. Prader, of Portland, Oregon: Lizzie, Benjamin, and Baron. Morris Goldwater, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Los Angeles, and the year 1867 first found him in Arizona Territory. Here he remained but one year, when he returned to California, and up to 1871 was a clerk in a wholesale hat store of San Francisco. From that time until 1874, he was in business with his father in Phoenix, Arizona Territory, then followed other occupations on the Colorado River for two years. In 1876 he came to Prescott, and here has been successfully engaged in the mercantile business ever since. The firm is known as M. Goldwater & Bros., the other members of which are Henry and Baron Goldwater. These gentlemen have one of the largest general stores in Prescott, carry the finest and freshest stock of goods in the Territory, and do an enormous business. Their goods are all purchased in the New York market, and selected with care. The name of Goldwater is well known throughout Arizona Territory, and theirs is the oldest mercantile house within its borders. In 1878 Morris Goldwater was elected on the Democratic ticket as Mayor of Prescott, after which he served four years as a member of the city council, and in 1883 represented his county in the Twelfth Legislative Assembly of the Territory. He was Chief Clerk of the House in the Thirteenth General Assembly, and was a member of the County Board of School Examiners for six years, and was chairman of the Territorial Democratic Central Committee during 1888 and 1889. He was also a member of the Board of Supervisors of Yavapai County during the two last mentioned years, and in 1894 was appointed a member of the Territorial Board of Equalization, a position he is still filling. In 1895 he was elected to the office of Mayor of Prescott, and in the discharge of his official duties has displayed marked ability and the deepest interest in the city's welfare. Mr. Goldwater is one of the prominent figures of the Territory, and for many years has been identified with its political history. He is vice-president of the Prescott National Bank, and socially is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained to the 32d degree, belongs to the Mystic Shrine, and is Past Grand Master of the Territory. He also belongs to the K. of P. and the I. O. O. F. Mr. Goldwater is unmarried and is a Jew. Additional Comments: From: A Historical and Biographical Record of the Territory of Arizona Published by McFarland & Poole, Chicago, 1896 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/az/yavapai/bios/gbs20goldwate.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/azfiles/ File size: 5.4 Kb