McClintock, James H., 1864-1934

James Harvey McClintock was born February 23, 1864 in Sacramento, California, the son of John and Sarah G. McClintock. He left for Phoenix at age 15 to work for his brother, Charles, founder and co-owner of the Phoenix newspaper, The Salt River Herald. In 1881, Charles died suddenly and the newspaper was sold. McClintock then moved to Tucson to work as a reporter for the Daily Journal, but the paper folded in 1882. McClintock moved on to Globe and became the editor of the Chronicle newspaper. Three years later, he moved to Prescott, where his mother and sister were living and working in a boarding house near Fort Whipple. McClintock took a job as a civilian clerk in the General's office. He soon headed south to attend the Tempe Normal School and work as a reporter for the Tempe News. By 1886, James McClintock was serving as Justice of the Peace for Tempe, operating a 160-acre farm, overseeing the building of county roads, and simultaneously working on assignments for newspapers in Tucson, Tempe, Globe, and Prescott. McClintock also became very good friends with the Hayden family, particularly Carl Hayden. In 1887, McClintock became a member of the first graduating class from the Tempe Normal School. He received his teaching certificate and went to Pleasant Valley where he taught for a short time. McClintock returned to Phoenix in 1890 and opened a news bureau. He also began his twenty-five year career as a correspondent for the Los Angeles Times. With the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in April of 1898 McClintock helped organize the Arizona troops and was appointed captain of the First United States Volunteer Cavalry which became known as Roosevelt's Rough Riders. McClintock served with the Arizona Rough Riders in Cuba until he was injured at Las Guasimas. He returned to Arizona with a limp and the title of Major for "gallantry in action." On June 15, 1900 he married Dorothy G. Bacon, a graduate of Stanford University. Mrs. McClintock's area of expertise was botany and she made a study of Arizona and the Southwest. She was also one of the founding members of the Woman's Club of Phoenix and a prominent member of the Arizona Federation of Women's Clubs. McClintock had political aspirations, but in 1902 President Theodore Roosevelt appointed him Postmaster of Phoenix, a position he held until 1914. Colonel Jim as he was known also became Colonel of the First Arizona Infantry, a command he held from 1902 to 1910. During this time he also wrote a two-volume history about the State of Arizona entitled Arizona: The Youngest State that was published in 1916. McClintock served as State Historian from 1919-1922. He was the first Department Commander of the Spanish-American War Veterans, President of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, President of the Arizona Folklore Society, Secretary of the National Irrigation Congress, and President of the Arizona Archaeological Society. He continued his writings as well as appearing on a series of radio shows. He was re-appointed Postmaster in 1928 by President Coolidge. He retired in December, 1933. Colonel McClintock suffered a stroke in early 1934. He and his wife moved to United States Soldiers' Home in Los Angeles where he died May 10, 1934. He was buried with a full military ceremony at the Military Cemetery in Los Angeles. McClintock Drive, McClintock High School, and McClintock Hall at ASU are named in his honor.

From the description of James H. McClintock Photograph Collection, ca. 1860-ca. 1930 [picture]. (Scottsdale Public Library). WorldCat record id: 223435421

...