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Gertrude Babbit Collection, 2009.

179

Biographical Note

David William Babbitt, Sr., born 1795 in Lanesboro, MA, moved to Cincinnati, OH in 1849 and worked as a stonecutter. David Babbitt, Sr. was married to Catherine Marie Spellmire in 1852, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Upon marriage, David Babbitt, Sr. opened a mercantile business. David and Catherine had five sons and one daughter. The five sons were David, Jr.; William; Charles; Edward; and George; Mary Elizabeth was the name of their daughter. In 1860, David Babbitt, Sr. contracted Malaria and moved back to Lanesboro, MA, where he died in 1870. Catherine Babbitt died in 1883.

Four of the brothers (David, George, William and Charles) eventually moved to Flagstaff, AZ to establish a cattle ranch (CO Bar). David Babbitt, Jr. explored the west in 1884 looking for suitable ranchland, including the now states of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona. At the conclusion of his trip in August 1884, David reluctantly decided to venture into Arizona against the pleading of his brother George. He originally went to Tombstone, but was displeased with the weather and dry conditions. He was advised that cattle lands improved with elevation, so he hired a guide and headed north through Prescott and into Flagstaff. He decided on a parcel of land north of Flagstaff, beating out Trinidad, CO as his choice of ranchland. David Babbitt briefly returned to Cincinnati to marry Emma Verkamp in 1886. Edward, the brother that stayed in Cincinnati, became a lawyer.

After establishing the cattle ranch, David opened a mercantile business in town with his brother George, leaving the ranch in the hands of his brothers, William and Charles. Throughout the years, David Babbitt had many encounters with Flagstaff’s other prominent families, including the Riordans, P.J. Brannen and others. For a time during the mid-1890’s, David Babbitt was mayor of Flagstaff.

In 1899 his wife of 13 years, died of illness while recuperating at a hospital in California, leaving behind David Babbitt; two sons, David and Joseph; and two daughters, Gertrude and Clare. David Babbitt died on Friday, November 08, 1929, in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Scope and Content Note

The Gertrude Babbitt Collection contains the early family records of David Babbitt, Elizabeth Babbitt, and their son David Babbitt, Jr. To a lesser extent it includes records of the junior David Babbitt’s brothers, George, Charles, William, Edward, and extended family, the Spellmires and the Metz’s. Items of interest include correspondence documenting David Babbitt’s exploration of the west in search of suitable ranchland, a court summons of Joseph Spellmire to be a witness in Cincinnati court under the presiding judge, future President, William H. Taft, correspondence documenting the deaths of David Babbitt (Sr.), Catherine Babbitt, Emma Verkamp Babbitt, Elisabeth Babbitt, and Gerhard Verkamp, and love letters between David Babbitt and Emma Verkamp. The collection is rich in correspondence, business records, legal documents, genealogical records, and newspaper clippings. The collection occupies 2 linear feet, with inclusive dates of 1849-1910, with bulk dates 1880-1900.

Restrictions

Restrictions

None.

Copyright

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for Northern Arizona University, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Access Points

Administrative Information

Credit Line

Gertrude Babbitt Collection, MS.179, Northern Arizona University. Special Collections and Archives Dept.

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