John Tabor Alsap (1830 - 1886) - Renaissance Men

John Alsap - Arizona Archives

John Tabor Alsap was born 28 February 1830 in Frankfort, Kentucky. He was the only son of Rev. John Alsap (sometimes spelled Alsop) and his wife Keziah Randall. After studying medicine in Ohio, young John went to California in 1853, intending to practice medicine there. 

Once in California, however, he developed an interest in mining--an interest which brought him to the Walker diggings in Yavapai county, in November 1863.  Alsap’s medical skills came in handy in 1864 when he accompanied King Woolsey's second expedition against the Apaches as the party's surgeon.  

His reputation thus established, he was appointed territorial treasurer in late 1864 by Gov. John Noble Goodwin.  He soon opened the first saloon in Prescott, a shrewd business move which brought him into contact with much of Prescott’s electorate. 

Alsap became Yavapai County's representative to the territorial legislature in 1868. However, his larger political ambitions were not to be fulfilled in Prescott. In 1869, he moved south to the Salt River Valley, where he helped to select the 320 acres comprising the original Phoenix townsite. He was one of the original commissioners of the Salt River Town Association, formed in 1870 to promote settlement along the Salt River.

Alsap now turned his attention from the practice of medicine and mining to the practice of law. As the fledgling community along the Salt River gained a foothold, he petitioned to have a new county created, with Phoenix as its seat. Following the creation of Maricopa County in 1871, Governor Safford appointed Alsap its first probate judge.  

For information on John Alsap, visit us at the PMMP.  - by Donna Carr