In past articles we highlighted George’s career as a politician and his involvement as a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1910. This month at the Pusch House Museum, our new exhibit highlights German-American Heritage and the Legacy of George Pusch.
George Pusch emigrated to the United States from Germany in 1865 at the age of 18
George was born in Echzell, in Hesse Germany in 1847 and travelled to the United States on the ship the Tireland. He arrived in New York on October 28, 1865. According to records, his trade was “butcher.” After a circuitous route of travel throughout the United States, George found his permanent home in Tucson in 1874. George established Steam Pump Ranch with Johann Zellweger sometime around 1876.
George and Mathilda and their seven children (twin girls survived only a few days after their birth) lived full-time in Tucson since much of the business operation was there. The family frequently visited Steam Pump ranch and used it as a stopover on the way to a property they also owned further north.
George and Zellweger were partners in a variety of businesses
First was the Pioneer Meat Market at 34 East Congress. They then established the Tucson Ice and Cold Storage company on Toole Avenue. This operation included the sale of ice, coal, and even beer. Little by little their real estate, businesses, and ranching endeavors expanded fulfilling their hopes of finding prosperity in America a reality.
George Pusch’s great-grandson is the President of the Oro Valley Historical Society
Henry Zipf, the great-grandson of George (his grandmother was Gertrude, one of George and Mathilda’s daughters) is the current President of the Oro Valley Historical Society. Henry’s cousin, Barbara MacIntyre, (a great-granddaughter) is an active member and docent of the Historical Society. Both have been invaluable sharing stories and artifacts with the Society.
If you would like to learn more about other German immigrants settling in Tucson and more about George Pusch, stop by the Pusch House Museum at Steam Pump Ranch on Saturday, October 23 from nine to noon and visit the exhibit. We hope to see you!
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Source for article: Claiming the Desert; Settlers, Homesteaders, and Ranchers in Oro Valley, Arizona 1865-1965 by James A. Williams. The book can be purchased at the Pusch House Museum or at the Oro Valley Historical Society tent at the Heirloom Farmer’s Market on Saturday October 23 or on Amazon.
The Oro Valley is a 501c3 volunteer organization whose mission is to “promote research, preservation, education and dissemination of history related to the greater Oro Valley area. For more information visit: www.ovhistory.org
