John B. Kelly (1837 - 1896) - Butcher and Saloon Owner

PCA Archives

John Barnes Kelly (or Kelley) was born about 1837 in Hermon, St. Lawrence County, New York.   Although he and his older brother Henry initially went to California in 1851 in hopes of finding gold, they instead made their fortune in the butchering trade. 

J. B. married Elizabeth Ann Morrow on July 8, 1860, in Jackson, Amador County, California.  They had four daughters, including a set of twins born in Sutter Creek, Amador County, California.

Apparently Elizabeth died in 1874 or 1875, as J. B. then married Laura E. Hoyt on December 1, 1875.  They had a son and a daughter while living in California, after which they relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, and had three more daughters.

As a butcher, J. B. worked closely with the Balsz family of Phoenix.  The Balszes operated a large ranch near Yuma as well as feedlots in Phoenix, and J. B. was one of the butchers who turned steers into steaks for local restaurants.   The Kellys lived in a fine house at Center and Monroe Streets.   J. B. joined the local Masonic lodge and made a foray into politics; he ran for sheriff but was narrowly defeated.

Men outnumbered women in 1880s Phoenix, so J. B.’s three oldest daughters were a welcome addition to the social scene.  All three married local men.  Harriet Lillian married J. J. Sweeney, a butcher like her father.  Addie married Daniel P. Conroy, and her twin, Ada, had a career as a schoolteacher before and after her marriage.

J. B. died on February 24, 1896, of a stomach hemorrhage (possibly a perforated ulcer?)  He was buried with Masonic and Episcopalian rites in Phoenix’s Masons Cemetery.  

The Cabinet, his upscale saloon on Washington Street, he left to his widow.  She sold it two months later and eventually returned to her home state of California, where she settled in Oakland.  She was last recorded on the 1930 federal census, living with her youngest daughter, Laura R. Kelly.

- by Donna Carr

 

 

An Irish Wake - What is the History of the Irish Wake?

☘️ Join us for a special treat from Our Irish Wake! ☘️ 

One of our beloved presenters is diving into the rich tradition of the Irish wake, a heartfelt and sometimes humorous celebration of life, memory, and community.

Catch the video and step into this timeless Irish custom!

Irish Wake Celebration - March 2025

 

☘️ Moments from our Irish Wake presentation 📸

These photos capture the warmth, wit, and deep-rooted tradition of how the Irish honor life and death — with stories, laughter, and love. 

Take a look and experience the spirit of the Irish wake through our lens.

James B. Lacy (abt. 1847 - 1896) - Owned the Phoenix Illuminating Electric and Gas Works

PCA Archives

James B. Lacy was born January 26, 1847 in Erinsville, Ontario, Canada.   The name of the town is appropriate, since it was founded by Irish, largely Roman Catholic, immigrants.   He was the third of eight children born to Bryan Lacey and his wife, Ellen Clancy.  The Laceys were farmers who had immigrated to Canada from County Wexford, Ireland.

In 1868, James Lacy had emigrated to the United States and was living in Mendocino County, California.  Around 1873, he moved to Virginia City, Nevada, possibly with a cousin named Bernard.  They were employed as miners, working the Comstock Lode.

Like many miners, Lacy followed the latest strikes.  By 1889, he was in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, where he was employed as a watchman at the Contention Mine.  

Lacy eventually moved to Phoenix around 1894, where he purchased the Phoenix Illuminating Electric and Gas Company.  Being a prominent businessman, he was elected to a term on the City council.  He was said to have been genial and well-liked. 

At the age of 49, Lacy passed away rather unexpectedly of heart disease.   Whereas he had always appeared to be hale and hearty, a few days after Christmas 1895, he complained of edema in his right arm.   Soon it became clear that his kidneys were failing, too.  He was attended by Drs. Stroud, Helm and Goodfellow, but nothing could be done for him.

James Lacy died on January 1, 1896, and was buried in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery.  In accordance with his beliefs, his funeral service was conducted by a Free Thinker, not a Roman Catholic as might have been expected.

John F. Kearney, a cousin of Lacy’s, was a miner in Congress, Arizona.  On January 9, Kearney’s wife Katie entered Lacy’s will into probate, and J. W. Jensen was appointed executor.  Lacy’s estate was divided between his mother and his sister.

 - by Donna Carr

 

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day - 2025

 

Bing AI Generated

🍀 Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀

Wishing you a day filled with luck, laughter, and a bit of Irish magic!  Whether you're celebrating your Irish roots or just enjoying the fun, here are some festive ways to embrace the spirit of the day:

• Wear Green – Avoid getting pinched and show off your St. Paddy’s pride!
• Enjoy Traditional Irish Food – Try some corned beef & cabbage, Irish soda bread, or shepherd’s pie.
• Listen to Irish Music – From lively jigs to classic ballads, let the music bring the Irish spirit to life!
• Raise a Toast – Whether it’s Irish coffee, green lemonade, or a pint of Guinness, cheers to good fortune!
• Learn an Irish Blessing – “May your troubles be less, and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.”
• How are you celebrating today? Share in the comments!

Sláinte! 

Catherine A. Lacy (1860 - 1896) - Died in a House Fire

 

PCA Archives

Catherine A. Lacy was born March 1, 1860, in Erinsville, Ontario, Canada.   The name of the town is appropriate, since it was founded by Irish, largely Roman Catholic, immigrants.   Catherine was the youngest of eight children born to Bryan Lacey and his wife, Ellen Clancy.  The Laceys were farmers who had immigrated to Canada from County Wexford, Ireland.

While living in Canada, Catherine’s father seems to have Anglicized his name to Bernard  He died on January 23, 1878, and was buried in the local Catholic cemetery.

In 1881, Catherine was still living on the family farm near Sheffield with her widowed mother and several siblings.  Her older brother James, however, had emigrated to the United States and was working as a miner in Virginia City, Nevada, possibly with a cousin named Bernard. 

Catherine seems to have joined James after he had moved to Phoenix, Arizona Territory.  James passed away rather unexpectedly in Phoenix on January 1, 1896, of heart disease.  He was buried in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Catherine herself died just a few months later on May 15, 1896, of burns received in a house fire.  Ironically, her apartment was located in a building behind the Phoenix Gas Works, previously owned by her brother James.

She had arisen early and lit a portable gas stove with a match to heat water for her bath.  She may have left the stove or match unattended for a moment, for the curtains ignited.  As she attempted to extinguish the flames, her robe also caught fire, enveloping her in flames.  She tried desperately to get the door open but apparently the smoke was so thick she couldn’t find the doorknob.  Passersby noticed flames, broke out the window and put out the fire, but by then she was unconscious and burned almost beyond recognition.  She died an hour later. 

After a Catholic funeral service, Catherine Lacy was buried near her brother in the IOOF Cemetery.  Neither one of them had ever married.

- by Donna Carr

 

Irish Wake Bread (aka Irish Soda Bread)

In celebration of our upcoming Irish Wake at the cemetery, we will be featuring some traditional Irish Wake foods. They are easy to make and quite tasty! By the way, if you make some traditional Irish food, please post in the comments!

Traditional Irish Wake Bread (aka Irish Soda Bread)

Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1 ½ tsp salt

• 1 ¾ cups buttermilk

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Use parchment paper on baking sheet.

• In a large bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt.

• Gradually add buttermilk, stirring until dough forms.

• Knead briefly on a floured surface and shape into a round loaf.

• Place on the baking sheet, cut a deep ‘X’ on top, and

• Bake for 35-40 minutes. Cool before slicing.

 

 

 

Frederick J. O’Hara (1875 - 1901) - Member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles

 

PCA Archives

Fred J. O’Hara was born on July 3, 1875, in Kent County, Michigan.  He was the son of Sarah J. Lamoreaux and her second husband, Bryan O’Hara.  Bryan O’Hara was from Ireland  

From at least 1874 to 1887, the O’Haras lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Bryan worked as a cabinet-maker.  Sarah divorced Bryan in 1885, claiming that he was a drunkard and failed to support her and the children.  On December 7, 1887, Bryan O'Hara died as a result of injuries received during a saloon fight in Evansville, Indiana.

Sarah and her two children moved west to Tacoma, Washington, after Bryan’s death.   Fred may have become a touring musician, as his comings and goings from Tacoma were occasionally noted in the newspapers.  Apparently, his banjo was briefly stolen—but recovered—in 1895.

He soon joined the Eagles, a fraternal organization formed in 1898 in Seattle which drew its membership from among those in the performing arts. 

Suffering from an unspecified illness, Fred had moved to Phoenix, Arizona, by 1901.  He died of peritonitis at Sisters’ Hospital on November 1, 1901, and was buried in Porter Cemetery by the local chapter of the Eagles, Aeyrie 178.  The Eagles also provided his grave marker.

- by Donna Carr

 

 

Phoenix History Month Coming Soon - March 2025

 

www.phoenix.gov/mayor

March is Phoenix History Month! Last year, Mayor Kate Gallego declared March as "Phoenix History Month". How can you celebrate the history of Phoenix? For more information, check out the links/Instagram below:

www.phoenix.gov/mayor/historian

or @Phoenix_Official_Historian