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1913 Who's Who in Arizona

This book by Jo Conners was published in 1913. A small sampling of extractions are provided below.
The First National Bank of Clifton

The First National Bank of Clifton was organized in 1901. Its capital is $30,000, which is fully paid, and while this bank does not rank among the large institutions of Arizona, it does rank foremost among the soundest. Its management is able and experienced, and its directorate and stockholders are found among some of the leading business and professional men of that section. E. M. Williams, president, is also one of the founders and a charter director. As general manager of the Arizona Copper Company store, he is known through-out the state as a responsible business man. Henry Hill, vice president, is a well known business man of Clifton. W. J. Riley, cashier, is also director of the State Bank of Morenci and the Bank of Duncan, and since he has grown to manhood, has been almost continuously employed in banking, while J. J. Kelly, assistant cashier, is a native of the state, and has grown up in the banking business, and although a young man has attained to prominence in banking circles.

The board of directors consists of the foregoing officials, together with John R. Hampton, vice president of the Valley Bank, Phoenix, George Frazer, John Webster, J. T. McClay, C. O. Billingsley, and Sam Abraham, proprietor of the Clifton Hotel.

E. MILTON WILLIAMS, president of the First National Bank of Clifton, and general manager of the Arizona Copper Company store, is well known in commercial and financial matters generally. He was one of the founders; and a charter director of the bank, which opened for business May 14, 1901. Mr. Williams was born October 26, 1862, in Rockford, Ala., and reared in that state. Having graduated from high school, he took a course in the Agricultural & Mechanical College, at Auburn, was graduated in 1883, and for ten years was employed in commercial life in the vicinity of his home. He then decided to try his fortunes further west and has spent some time in Chicago, Denver, and the State of Washington. In 1893 he came to Arizona to accept a position as salesman in the dry goods department of the Arizona Copper Company store at Clifton, and in 1897 he was made manager of the Morenci branch of this store, and later general manager of the department stores of the company, in charge of all three of their houses. In each capacity in which he has served affairs under his jurisdiction have shown the results of ability and thoroughness. Air. Williams is a stockholder in the Arizona Copper Company and one of the most substantial and well known men of affairs in that section of Arizona. Fraternally he is a member of the Masons and Elks, and politically is a Democrat, but with no aspirations to office, although at the instance of his friends, he served one term in the Territorial Legislature. Mr. Williams was married November 14, 1900, to Miss Margaret Lee Harris, daughter of Judge George Harris, of San Saba, Texas.

WILLIAM J. RILEY, cashier of The First National Bank of Clifton, is well known throughout Arizona financial circles, as he is also a director of the State Bank of Morenci and of the Bank of Duncan. He is the son of Francis S. and Frances Webb Riley, of San Diego, and in the latter city he was born and educated. Having completed a commercial course, his first position was as bookkeeper in a bank in San Diego. On coming to Arizona, Mr. Riley located in Yurra, where he was employed in a bank, and soon became as well known in the political as in the business life. During his residence there he served a term as Deputy County Recorder of the County. In 1904 he went to Clifton to accept a position with The First National Bank, was promoted to the place of assistant cashier, and after three years service to his present position. In addition to his banking associations, Mr. Riley is interested in various enterprises of a different nature, and is secretary and treasurer of Clifton Lumber and Improvement Company. He has also served a term as city treasurer. He is a member of the Masons, and Master of Clifton Lodge, and is treasurer of Clifton Lodge No. 1174 B. P. O. E. Mr. Riley married Miss Jessie C. Cummins, and they have one child, Frances E.

J. J. KELLY, assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Clifton, although one of the youngest, is one of the best known bankers in the state, and no doubt enjoys as wide an acquaintance among the financiers of the Southwest as any banker in Arizona. He began his business life in a bank and has gradually advanced from minor positions to the one he now holds. His training has, therefore, been thorough, and he has mastered all the details of the business. Mr. Kelly is the son of pioneer Arizonans, Michael and Julia Sullivan Kelly, and was born in the historic town of Tombstone on January 26, 1887, when this was the metropolis of the Territory, and his father was one of the important figures of that day. Mr. Kelly is one of the best known politicians of Greenlee, and has served a term as United States Commissioner. He was recently appointed receiver of a large establishment in Clifton, and the manner in which he disposed of the property and the amount made available to the creditors, as a result, elicited much commendation. Mr. Kelly is also well known in the social and fraternal life of the state and is one of the youngest men who ever held the position of Exalted Ruler of the Elks. His administration in that capacity was, like his other undertakings, a complete success. During that time the order was placed on a sound financial basis, and the membership increased in a most gratifying degree. Mr. Kelly was united in marriage to Miss Grace Grey, also a native of Arizona, who is a favorite in the community. They have a bright and interesting little son, who has been named for his father.

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