Scholefield Family Tree
The first place I began my search for articles regarding the Scholefield family was at the time of George and Clara’s deaths. Their obituaries were published in the local paper.
The vitals from George Scholefield’s obit:1
Died: 31 Aug 1942
Resident of AZ for 63 years (came from Utica, NY, at age 19)
Home: 3914 E. Monte Vista Dr.
Wife: Clara A. Scholefield (married 1882)
Daughter: Helen Brodie
Son: Carl B. Scholefield of Globe
Occupations:
1879 — Silver King Mine in Globe (later Old Dominion Mine)
1885 — homesteaded a ranch in the Santa Rita Mountains
1898-1924 — became the first cattle inspector for the territory of Arizona
1904-1916 — councilman-at-large in Tucson
1940 — retired from ranching and moved to Tucson
Politics: Early Republican, later affiliated with the Democrats. Held several offices.
First man to be initiated into the Elks in the territory, lifetime member
Funeral: Wed, 10am, Reilly mortuary chapel
Burial: Elks plot in Evergreen
The Scholefields were living on the ranch during the time of the Apache Indian raids when several families living near them were killed. They were not molested, but Geronimo and his band stole horses and cattle from the ranch. Mr. Scholefield was a member of the posse headed by Lieut. Lawton which finally caught Geronimo.1
Vitals from Clara Ann Scholefield’s obituary: 2
Died: 27 Nov 1947
Age: 84
Died at home of daughter Helen Brodie, 929 N. Hoff St.
Funeral: 3 pm, Saturday, Reilly’s chapel
Burial: beside her husband in the Elk’s plot of Evergreen Cemetery
Husband: George Scholefield, pioneer peace officer, cattle inspector, rancher, died 1942
Born in San Bernardino, Calif.
Father operated the stage between Yuma and Maricopa Wells
Married in 1883 in Globe
Homesteaded the St. Helena Ranch near Rosemont in the Santa Rita Mtns. Lived there for 47 years. Ranch sold in early 30s. Moved to Tucson.
Daughter: Helen Brodie
Son: Carl, Arivaipa canyon
6 grandchildren
2 great-grandchildren
Helen Scholefield Brodie’s obituary was also located:3
Died: 17 Jul 1957
Age: 71
Retired from county assessor’s office 18 months ago with 34 years of service.
Native Tusconian born 5 Mar 1886 in a house on Stone Ave.
Daughter of George P. Scholefield, Tucson police chief, fire marshall, cattle inspector who homesteaded the Hidden Springs Ranch in the Santa Rita Mts.
Schools: St. Joseph’s Convent, University of Arizona preparatory school
Episcopalian
Member of Civic and Business Women’s clubs
Funeral: Reilly Funeral Home, private
Residence: 929 N. Hoff Ave.
A death announcement in the same paper adds:4
Died after an illness of 18 months
B. & P. W. Club, Zonia, Cordon Club, Women of the Moose
Mother of A. Major Brodie of Tucson
Sister of Carl Scholefield of Thatcher
Aunt of Blissie Lee of Globe, Katherine Schnitter of Reno, Nev., Virginia Matterson of Placerville, Calif., and George Scholefield of Butte, Mont.
These obituaries give the ranch owned by the Scholefields several names. They also provide dates regarding the movement of the family which conflict with those reported on the death certificates as well as disagreeing with each other about when the ranch was sold. The disagreements could simply be chalked up to time and human error.
Research Plan:
- Check online maps. Is there a ranch under either of the names provided in the obituaries?
- Check online BLM records for homestead.
- Investigate history of area especially in regards to Geronimo and Lieut. Lawton’s posse.
1. “Pioneer Dies At His Home; Long Active,” Tucson Daily Citizen, 31 Aug 1942, p. 7, col. 3; digital images, NewspaperArchive.com (http://www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 23 Aug 2008).
2. Ibid., “City Pioneer Is Dead at 84,” 28 Nov 1947, p. 2, col. 4.
3. Ibid., “Mrs. Brodie Dies; Retired County Aide,” 18 Jul 1957, p. 28, col. 5.
4. Ibid., “Deaths: BRODIE, Helen Scholefield,” 18 Jul 1957, p. 29, col. 7.