Andrew James Doran - First Superintendent

Andrew James Doran was the originator of the idea for the Arizona Pioneers' Home and served as its' first administrator from the time the facility opened in 2011 until he resigned in 1912.  Doran was initially appointed as Superintendent in 1909.  However, the facility did not open for its firs admissions until 1911.

DRAFT - 

Refer to following Source material

Arizona Pioneers' Home.  "A Century of Caring"
https://pioneershome.az.gov/ 

The Arizona Pioneers’ Home began as the brainchild of three prominent Prescott citizens, A.J. Doran, Frank M. Murphy and Johnny Duke, to repay the faithful and longtime Arizona residents who helped pioneer and build the state. A.J. Doran sponsored a bill to create the Pioneers’ Home in Arizona’s Territorial Legislature in 1907. The initial bill failed, but it gained the full support of both houses two years later, and was signed into law by then Territorial Governor Joseph H. Kibbey, on March 11, 1909. 

Frank M. Murphy donated four and a half acres in southwest Prescott as the building site, and later T.G. Norris donated adjacent land to the North. The original red brick three story building with porticos was designed by local Prescott architect, W.S. Elliot and built for $25,000. The Pioneers’ Home opened its doors on February 1, 1911, situated atop a granite promontory overlooking the City of Prescott, Arizona. A.J. Doran was named the first Superintendent and served from February, 1911 to August, 1912

Hernandez, John.  Copper Area.com. Aug 26, 2014.  "The Life of A. J. Doran - Part 2". https://www.copperarea.com/pages/the-life-of-a-j-doran-part-2/

Selection is Pleasing - Superintendent of Pioneer Home Old Resident of the Territory

Prescott, March 22 (1909) – Governor Kibbey’s action in appointing Major A. J. Doran superintendent of the Pioneers’ Home, provide by the Legislature to be erected in this city or its vicinity, meets with the unanimous approval of the residents of this city and county.  It is generally considered a fitting tribute to Major Doran, who is among the earliest pioneer of the Territory still living, and who is the author of a similar measure passed by the 3th Legislature when he represented this county in the Territorial council.

Major Doran is receiving the congratulations of his many friends from all parts of the Territory on his appointment.  He has notified the governor of his acceptance and is ready to enter upon the discharge of his new duties with his old time energy at once.

Major Doran in relating some of the experiences of pioneer days, incidentally told how the idea of a home for aged pioneers originated with him.  “My idea of a pioneers’ home originated a little over two years ago”, he said, “Soon after my election to the council.  I was deeply impressed with the cases of Captain Boyd and Major Pitkin, two of Arizona’s noble and honored pioneers who ended their days in the hospital here.  These men who braved the dangers of the desert and mountain wilds, not to mention the savage Apaches,  deserved a better fate.  Captain Boyd discovered the United Verde mines at Jerome, now among the greatest copper producers in the Territory.  He assisted materially in making the civilization of today possible, risking his life many times in subduing the blood thirty redskins. 

“Major Pitkin came of good pioneer stock.  His brother was one of the early governors of Colorado.  Major Pitkin was an engineer and machinist by occupation.  Two years before he died he was compelled to retire from active work.  I and others who knew him in early days assisted him but he was finally compelled to become an inmate of the county hospital.  Like Captain Boyd he felt disgraced at being compelled to end his days in such an institution.  I always maintained that a suitable and comfortable home should be provided at Territorial expense where such men as Boyd and Pitkin, as well as a host of others, can end their days in peace.

“Personally, if compelled from lack of resource, I am entitled to admittance in any soldiers’ home in the United States.  I gained this through service in the civil war, but in common with the other old-timers it would be a pleasure to me to spend the closing days of my career in a pioneers’ home surrounded by my friends and the comrades of those stirring times before and after a Territorial government was established in this Territory.

I do not advocate admitting any but the most worthy citizens into the home.  The pioneer miner whose explorations attracted others to come here and develop the resources of the country and the pioneer farmer who tilled the soil with a brace of Colt revolvers on his hips and a rifle ever ready on the beam of his plow are entitled to first consideration.  Neither do I believe that the comforts of the home should be confined to men qualified for admission.  Arizona’s pioneer women are as much entitled to the benefits of the home as the men.  No more brave or lovable woman exist on earth than the noble mothers who shared the privations of early days in caring for their families and assisting their husbands in establishing civilized homes here.

The pioneers’ home law proves for $25,000 for the construction of the building and $15,000 a year for maintenance.  It also provides that a suitable site shall be donated by the citizens of Prescott within six months.  I have confidence that the citizens of Prescott will take advantage of the law and donate a site acceptable to the Territorial board of control at once.  When the site is accepted plans and specifications for the building of the structure will be considered by the board and myself and after adoption the construction of the building will be only a matter of a few months.  One patriotic citizen has already offered to donate ten acres for the home less than a mile from the courthouse.  This and other sites will be considered by the board of control before a selection is made.”

Major Doran has resided continually in the Territory since 1862.  He served as sheriff of Pinal county, was a member of the Legislature several times and was honored by his party once with the nomination for delegate to congress. 


Newspapers.com.  Tucson Citizen (Tucson, Arizona). 22 Mar 1909.  Mon.  Page 2

https://www.newspapers.com/image/580122904/?terms=Superintendent%2BPioneers%27%2BHome