Biographies

Hugh A. Larson 1859-1912
Hugh Larson

Hugo Larson, better known in the Holbrook and Mogollon region as "Hook" Larson, has often jokingly been referred to as "the biggest cattleman in Arizona". In part that was true, since at one time he weighed nearly 300 pounds. Oddly, most of the time he rode a stout little 830 pound horse that did not seem to mind his weight.
Born in Denmark on April 6, 1850, he was brought to Utah in 1862.
The father was killed by Indians in 1867. and soon Larson was riding as a cowboy to help support the family.
In 1881, he married Christine Duncan in Utah and came to Arizona in 1883, engaging in freighting for a time and in installation work on the newly constructed Santa Fe Railroad across northern Arizona.
In 1885. he traded his teams for sheep and cattle which he ran along the Rim west of Heber.
In 1887, he was a member of the Sheriff's posse that tried to break up the Graham Tewkesbury feud in Pleasant Valley, and was with the party that found the bodies of Stott, Scott and Wilson who had been hanged as horse thieves. It was said he was the only person in the party who would approach and cut down the bodies.
Larson's first wife died in 1886 and in 1807 he married Janie Cox.
In 1897, he traded his sheep for the Dan Mahoney cow outfit in Gordon Canyon, cast of Payson.
In 1911, he sold the ranch under the Rim to Charley Allenbaugh and John Connors and moved to Holbrook where he purchased the Brunswick Hotel which he operated up to the time of his death on April 12, 1912.
During Larson's early days in the Holbrook region he served a period as a Sheriff's deputy and was known as a fearless person and a tough customer to handle.
Surviving members of the family are son, Hugh of Globe. and Leland with the Diamond A outfit in New Mexico.
Source: Pioneers and Well Know Cattlemen of Arizona by Roscoe G. Willson volume 2

John Calvin Paulsell 1869-
John Paulsell

Born in Rolla, Missouri. July 11, 1869, "J. C." Paulsell is one of those "Show me" boys.
In 1885, at the age of sixteen, he decided to become a cowboy and headed for Texas, Where Ik* rode (In- range for six years and acquired n know ledge of the ways of cattle.
About that time many Texas cattlemen were moving their herds into Arizona where the range was less crowded. "J. C." fell under the spell of this "far away" land, rolled his tarp and lit out for the Holbrook region in 1891.
For some time he worked on the Z Cross ranch of A. E. Henning, father of the long-time state senator, Lloyd Henning, and later worked on the Long H. While with the Long H. he began buying a few cattle "on his own," and, in 1901. bought the Z cross remnant, quit his job and drove his cattle into Pleasant Valley. Here, with the Z Cross brand, he established his first personally-owned outfit, 18 years after starting out as a Texas cowboy.
The following year "J. C." married Leona Hawthorne of Wide Ruins, and in 1908 bought the M O ranch in the Valley. Here, among such good neighbors as H .J. Ramer, the Youngs, Ellisons. Louie Naeglin and others, Paulsell prospered and became known as a man one could "tie to."
In 1913, with children of school age, he sold out to Gross, Kelly & Co., and moved to Holbrook, where he tried to become a "city dude" by entering the clothing business and other enterprises.
A cowman at heart, however, "J. C." went back to his first love in 1917. by buying the Prime Coleman ranch on the Little Colorado. This ranch is now operated by his son, Lloyd Paulsell. using the TH brand.
Mrs. Paulsell died in 1920 and "J. C." was forced to take over the job of raising six children. Mrs. Lloyd Paulsell says he "did a good job of it, too." In 1928 he married Margaret McCarthy, of Holbrook. where they now make their home.
Of the six Paulsell children, five are living: Harry C. Lloyd H., Patten D., Edna M Dobeti and Delia P. Pitcher.
Source: Pioneers and Well Know Cattlemen of Arizona by Roscoe G. Willson volume 2

Joseph Udall 1861-1949

Joseph Udall, one of Arizona's pioneer cattlemen and horse breeders, was born in Nephi, Utah, on June 28, 1861.
At the behest of authorities of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, Udall set out with wagons on the rough overland journey to Northern Arizona shortly after marrying Emma Goldsborough, With his wife and baby, he crossed the Colorado Itiver at Lee's Ferry and settled for a time in the young community of St. Johns. A short time later, Udall moved to the little settlement of Eager, in Round Valley, where he acquired land and engaged in farming and sheep and cattle raising. Feeling that range horses needed improving. Joseph Udall was the prime mover in the importation of several pure bred stallions from France. He was also one of the first to introduce roan Durham cattle and red hogs into the region.
In partnership with John C. Hall and George Winsor, Udall formed the Cross F Cattle Company which, for many years, was one of the big out-fits in the White Mountain area.
Joseph Udall was a lender in public enterprises. He became prominent in the construction of irrigation projects, was a charter member of the Arizona Good Roads Association, served on the Hoard of Supervisors, and was also interested in local banking and merchandising operations.
Udall served the LDS Church with a mission to Europe in the '90's and for 23 years was Bishop of the Eager ward. His church work, together with his activities on behalf of the public welfare, helped him to be regarded as one of Arizona's outstanding citizens.
Other branches of the Udall family have also attained prominence. Levi S. Udall is now a member of the Arizona Supreme Court, and his nephew. Nicholas Udall. is a one-time mayor of Phoenix.
Joseph Udall's first wife, Emma, died in 1928. He later married Arilla Ashcroft, who survives him. Joseph Udall died in the old home at Eager, on December 23, 1949.
Four sons and four daughters are still living. K. G. and Pratt (who is postmaster at Springerville ) still maintain cattle on the old range.