Goldwater, Morris, 1852-1939

Morris Goldwater, esteemed uncle of Senator Barry M. Goldwater, was born to Michel and Sarah in London, England in 1852. At the age of two, along with his mother, older sister Carolyn (b. 1850), and aunt, Morris came to San Francisco, California via the Isthmus of Nicaragua. His childhood was spent with his family in California where he studied and apprenticed to become a merchant. In 1867 Morris came to Arizona in the footsteps of his father Big Mike. He had aspirations to become a merchant like his father was and assisted in the operations of the Goldwater stores in La Paz and Ehrenberg. In 1872, the Goldwaters opened the first Phoenix store. As manager of this location, Morris donated part of the store to the federal government to act as the first telegraph office in Phoenix. Morris worked as the operator without pay. It was during his stay in Phoenix that Morris made his first foray into politics. He ran for the territorial legislature as a Democrat but pulled out after recognizing his campaign was hindering the election of the Democratic frontrunner. Despite the false start, Morris remained active in Arizona politics all his life. In 1876, after the closure of the Phoenix store, Morris and his brothers Henry and Baron opened a store in Prescott, Arizona. It was here that Morris settled and became active in civic affairs and Masonry. Morris was the mayor of Prescott on and off for a total of 20 years. His political career also included roles as councilman of Prescott, member of the 12th Territorial Council of Yavapai County, Chairman of the Territorial Democratic Central Committee, Supervisor of Yavapai County, President of the 20th Territorial Legislature, and Vice President of the Arizona Constitutional Convention. Morris was a respected and influential participant in both territorial Arizona and its emergence as a state. Morris was also very active in the Masonic community in Arizona. He organized the Order of the Eastern Star of Arizona and was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Arizona and Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Arizona. In 1903, Morris received the Honorary 33° of the Scottish Rite Masons, one of the highest ranks of a Mason. For over 50 years, his role as a mason assisted him in all aspects of business and politics. In 1906, Morris married his long-time landlady Sarah (Sally) Shivers Fisher and was happily married until her death in 1934. They had no children but Morris devoted much of his time to nurturing his nieces and nephews. He worked closely with nephews Bob and Barry Goldwater as they managed the Goldwater store in Phoenix. He greatly influenced a sense of civic duty and public service on Barry. Morris stayed active in business, banking, politics, and Masonry up until his death on April 11, 1939. In 1964, Senator Barry M. Goldwater honored his uncle by nominating him as "Man of the Century" during the Prescott Centennial celebration. Morris was awarded the honor and a plaque stands there in his memory.

From the description of Morris Goldwater Collection, 1852-1964 ca. 1870-ca. 1930. (Scottsdale Public Library). WorldCat record id: 153293849

Morris Goldwater, esteemed uncle of Senator Barry M. Goldwater, was born to Michel and Sarah Goldwater in London, England in 1852. At the age of two, along with his mother, older sister Carolyn (b. 1850), and aunt, Morris came to San Francisco, California via the Isthmus of Nicaragua. His childhood was spent with his family in California, where he studied and apprenticed to become a merchant.

In 1867, Morris Goldwater came to Arizona in the footsteps of his father, Big Mike. He aspired to become a merchant like his father and assisted in the operations of the Goldwater stores in La Paz and Ehrenberg. In 1872, the Goldwaters opened their first Phoenix store. As manager of this location, Goldwater donated part of the store to the federal government to act as the first telegraph office in Phoenix and worked as the operator without pay. It was during his stay in Phoenix that he made his first foray into politics. He ran for the territorial legislature as a Democrat but withdrew after recognizing his campaign was hindering the election of the Democratic front runner. Despite the false start, Goldwater remained active in Arizona politics all his life.

In 1876, after the closure of the Phoenix store, Morris Goldwater and his brothers Henry and Baron opened a store in Prescott, Arizona. It was here that Goldwater settled and became active in civic affairs and Masonry. Goldwater was the mayor of Prescott on and off for a total of 20 years. His political career also included roles as councilman of Prescott, member of the 12th Territorial Council of Yavapai County, Chairman of the Territorial Democratic Central Committee, Supervisor of Yavapai County, President of the 20th Territorial Legislature, and Vice President of the Arizona Constitutional Convention.

Goldwater was also very active in the Masonic community in Arizona. He organized the Order of the Eastern Star of Arizona and was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Arizona and Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Arizona. In 1903, Goldwater received the Honorary 33° of the Scottish Rite Masons, one of the highest ranks available. For over 50 years, his role as a mason assisted him in business and politics.

In 1906, Goldwater married his long-time landlady Sarah (Sally) Shivers Fisher and was happily married until her death in 1934. They had no children, but Morris devoted much of his time to nurturing his nieces and nephews. He worked closely with nephews Bob and Barry Goldwater as they managed the Goldwater store in Phoenix. Goldwater stayed active in business, banking, politics, and Masonry until his death on April 11, 1939. In 1964, Senator Barry M. Goldwater honored his uncle by nominating him as Man of the Century during the Prescott Centennial celebration. Morris Goldwater was awarded the honor and a plaque was placed in his memory.

• 1852: January 16, Morris Goldwater is born to Michel and Sarah Goldwater in London, England. Morris is the second born out of eight children, Carolyn being the first.
• 1854: Sarah Goldwater, her children Carolyn and Morris, her sister Esther and Esther’s son Marcus arrive in San Francisco. They settle in a small house in Sonora, CA.
• 1857: Sarah and children move back to San Francisco.
• 1858: Family moves to Los Angeles.
• 1859: Attends La Escuela Parrioquial de Los Angeles, a Spanish-language Catholic school.
• 1860s: Father sends him to work for Pincus Berwin’s Hat and Cap Company as an apprentice clerk in San Francisco.
• 1867: Arrives in La Paz, Arizona from San Francisco to work in the family mercantile business.
• 1868: Herman Ehrenberg is killed by Indians in Dos Palmos, California. Big Mike (Michel) and Morris discover his body on their way to La Paz, Arizona. Concerned for his safety, Michel orders Morris back to San Francisco.
• 1870: Moves to Ehrenberg, Arizona to work in the family mercantile business.
• 1871: Moves to Phoenix, Arizona to open a new Goldwater’s store
• 1872: Phoenix store opens and Morris is named manager.
• 1873: Donates part of the Phoenix store to the federal government to serve as a telegraph office. Offers to serve as the operator without pay. Introduces the first automatic telegraph recording instrument into the Arizona territory. Serves as the Deputy County Recorder and runs for the territorial legislature as a Democrat. Realizing he would be defeated, Morris withdraws to allow the other Democratic candidate to win.
• 1875: Due to low profits, the Phoenix store is closed.
• 1876: Morris moves to Prescott and opens M. Goldwater and Bros., a mercantile store with his brothers Henry and Baron.
• 1879: Elected Mayor of the City of Prescott and serves for one year. Becomes manager of the Prescott store. Along with his father Big Mike, pledges $5,000 in bonds for a railroad from Phoenix to Prescott. Morris and two partners help finance the railroad construction. Helps organize the Arizona Democratic Party.
• 1881: Organized the first chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star of Arizona, Golden Rule Chapter No. 1 in Prescott, Arizona.
• 1882: Elected as Councilman of the City of Prescott.
• 1883: Elected member of the 12th Territorial Council from Yavapai County. Organizes the Prescott Rifles, a local militia force.
• 1884: Serves on the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors and Board of School Examiners.
• 1884: Appointed as Clerk of the House Assembly in 13th Territorial Legislature. Organizes Dudes Hose Company No. 2, a volunteer fire department in Prescott, Arizona of which Morris and his brother Baron were members.
• 1885: Chairman of the Territorial Democratic Central Committee until 1890. Elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of Arizona.
• 1888: Elected Supervisor of Yavapai County.
• 1889: Elected as Councilman of the City of Prescott. Along with fellow businessmen Frank Murphy and Russell Woodruff, organizes the Prescott National Bank and is named Vice-President.
• 1893: Again elected Mayor of Prescott and serves until 1897. Appointed to the Territorial Board of Equalization and serves one year.
• 1894: Elected Grand High Priest of the M.E. Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Arizona.
• 1896: Elected as Prescott City Councilman and serves until 1901.
• 1898: 1899 Elected President of the 20th Territorial Legislature. Elected as Councilman of the City of Prescott.
• 1903: Elected to receive the Honorary 33° of the Scottish Rite Masons.
• 1905: Elected as Mayor of Prescott and serves until 1913. Appointed member of the Captain O’Neill Rough Rider Monument Commission. Elected secretary of the Arizona Bankers Association.
• 1906: Marries Sarah (Sallie) Shivers Fisher, his landlady.
• 1910: Serves as Vice President of the Arizona Constitutional Convention. Credited with creating the State’s fourth branch of government, the Arizona Corporation Commission.
• 1913: Elected Exalted Ruler of the B.P.O. Elks and serves one year.
• 1914: Elected President of the State Senate in the 2nd Arizona Legislature.
• 1915: Elected State Senator for Yavapai County and serves one year.
• 1919: Once more, elected Mayor of Prescott and serves until 1927. He serves a total of 20 years as Mayor.
• 1934: August 19, wife Sarah dies of natural causes
• 1939: April 11, Morris dies in his home of natural causes and is buried at the Masonic Cemetery in Prescott.
• 1964: Morris nominated by his nephew Barry and awarded title of Man of the Century during the Prescott Centennial celebration.

From the guide to the Morris Goldwater Collection, 1852-1964, (Arizona State University Libraries Arizona Collection)