Behan family papers
A member of the Behan family riding a mule.
Collection area: Borderlands
Collection dates: 1883-1944 bulk (bulk 1907-1944)
Personal and official correspondence, financial records, notes, a photograph album, and photographs relating chiefly to personal and family life. Includes approximately 100 photographs of family members; most are studio portraits. A photograph album contains snapshots of Julia Behan, her family and friends, in California, 1907-1924. Also present is a diary of John Behan's railway travels, expenses, and inspections while a Chinese Inspector, 1896-1897; and account books and journals from Albert Behan's customs work.
Pioneer Arizona family, prominent in public service and law enforcement. John Behan, 1845-1912, was county deputy sheriff at Tombstone, Ariz., 1879-1881, then became first county sheriff when Cochise County was created in 1881. He served as sheriff of several other Arizona counties during his career. He also served as Chinese Inspector, 1896-1897; worked in government service, in Cuba during the War of 1898, and in China during the Boxer Rebellion; and as business manager of the Tucson Citizen, 1901-1911. Julia Behan was his sister. Albert P. Behan, his son, worked for the U.S. Customs Service along the Mexican border, 1913-1928.
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