Charles Warren Peterson
Buckeye - Maricopa County
Inducted in 2015
Born in 1875, Arizona was a changing landscape. Warren grew up with the state, building ranch canals that would later become essential for the agricultural development of the West Valley. His contributions to the canals and his service to the community are legendary.
Charles Warren Peterson's journey into canal building began in his boyhood, a skill that would serve him well as a rancher and farmer later in life.
Charles Warren Peterson and his family moved to Mesa when he was nine. Over the years, he was essential in constructing nearly all modern canals and the Mesa area following the prehistoric canals.
Warren's father homesteaded 160 acres 2 miles east of Mesa. As a child, he helped in the fields, milked and herded the family cows, and did the other chores expected of a farm boy. When he got a little older, he helped his uncle in the family store and had the distinction of becoming the first telephone operator in Mesa when he was just 16 years old.
In 1898, the young man was called to serve a 2-year mission for the Church of Later Day Saints in the southern states. He had accumulated a tiny herd of cattle. He left them to graze in the Superstition Mountains while he was gone. When he returned from his mission, he married Marion Standage.
The young couple went to Mesa, where they planned to make their home. Young Warren had an unpleasant surprise when he went to gather his herd. He found that all but 10% of the cattle had died because of a drought or been killed. He and his father gathered the remaining cattle and followed the Gila River down to Arlington to salvage what he could of the herd. Only a few families had settled in that area at the time. Despite this setback, Warren's determination and resilience shone through as he and his father salvaged what they could of the herd.
Warren bought 280 acres of land in Arlington, which his great-grandson Gary Gable still owns and farms. According to his grandsons Carter and Jack Gable, when Warren and his family first moved to Arlington, they made and sold cheese. Eventually, they sold the business to a man who owned camels. He used to transport the cheese to the market in Phoenix, turning a few heads along the way.
Warren's knowledge of canal building was an asset in his new community. The Arlington Canal Company was formed in 1889. "He got down there right after, joined in, helped them fix the canal, and put in the herd gates. The company was incorporated in 1900 and still delivers water to approximately 4000 acres of farmland in the Arlington area.
His work in the family store in Mesa also served him well. In 1907, he purchased the Arlington store, and the following year, the family could move out of the tent house they were living in and into a home. The post office operated out of the store, so he was appointed the postmaster in 1913.
The store carried several accounts. Jack got his ledger from Grandpa Peterson when he bought the store. Carter said, "he was the banker to the western part of the county. Because of all his ledgers, he had everybody in the county who bought wheat, corn, milk, cheese, or butter. He had a list, just like he was the banker. All the old-timers were trading with him, so they got him to participate when they started the Buckeye Bank. He was a stockholder because he knew all the people.
In 1914, with a growing family to consider, Warren and Marion decided to move back to Phoenix, where educational opportunities were better. He bought the Flower Pot Cattle Company in 1960. His grandson indicated that when he bought the ranch, it was big enough that he could round up enough cattle to pay for it.
Warren was farming near The Gila River when the flood hit. "They went through some hard times during the floods," said grandson Carter. "He had a hard time making it even though he was pretty big. He had one statement made that 'the cheapest cattle he ever bought turned out to be the most expensive ones he ever owned.' The flood not only caused significant financial losses but also tested his resilience. Then, he went down another path. He ran for Maricopa County supervisor and served two terms. Then, he turned to get out of politics. He went back to state Arizona State Tax Commissioner until he passed away.
Warren Peterson was a community-minded man. His accomplishments included being named Secretary of the Postmasters Association of Arizona, serving on the Cotton Compensation Claims Board, and serving Maricopa County as a supervisor for 12 years. He was appointed by Governor Robert T Jones as the Arizona State Tax Commissioner and served in that office for 23 years. He served 35 years as the Arlington Cattle Company secretary and Treasurer, helped organize the Bank of Buckeye, and served two years as the institution's president. He was also the director of the service department of the American Red Cross. His extensive community service, spanning various roles and organizations, is a testament to his dedication to his community.
Warren Peterson died in 1964 at the age of 89.
Affiliations
Church of Later Day Saints — Missionary
Phoenix Stake — President
Sunday School — Superintendent
U.S. Postmaster — Arlington (1907-1913)
Postmaster Association — Secretary
Cotton Compensation Claims Board
Maricopa County Supervisor
State Tax Commissioner
Arlington Canal Company — Secretary and Treasurer
Buckeye Bank — Director
Arizona Cattle Growers Association — Charter Member and President
American Red Cross — Director
