James B. Lacy

James B. Lacy, about 1847-1896
Owned the Phoenix Illuminating Electric and Gas Works

Buried in the IOOF Cemetery, Block 16, Lot 3, Grave 6

(Grave marker photo courtesy of the
​Pioneers’ Cemetery Association)

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James B. Lacy was born January 26, 1847 in Erinsville, Ontario, Canada. The name of the town is appropriate, since it was founded by Irish, largely Roman Catholic, immigrants. He was the third of eight children born to Bryan Lacey and his wife, Ellen Clancy. The Laceys were farmers who had immigrated to Canada from County Wexford, Ireland.
 
In 1868, James Lacy had emigrated to the United States and was living in Mendocino County, California. Around 1873, he moved to Virginia City, Nevada, possibly with a cousin named Bernard. They were employed as miners, working the Comstock Lode.
 
Like many miners, Lacy followed the latest strikes. By 1889, he was in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, where he was employed as a watchman at the Contention Mine.  
 
Lacy eventually moved to Phoenix around 1894, where he purchased the Phoenix Illuminating Electric and Gas Company. Being a prominent businessman, he was elected to a term on the City council. He was said to have been genial and well-liked. 
 
At the age of 49, Lacy passed away rather unexpectedly of heart disease. Whereas he had always appeared to be hale and hearty, a few days after Christmas 1895, he complained of edema in his right arm. Soon it became clear that his kidneys were failing, too. He was attended by Drs. Stroud, Helm, and Goodfellow, but nothing could be done for him.
 
James Lacy died on January 1, 1896, and was buried in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery. In accordance with his beliefs, his funeral service was conducted by a Free Thinker, not a Roman Catholic as might have been expected.
 
John F. Kearney, a cousin of Lacy’s, was a miner in Congress, Arizona. On January 9, Kearney’s wife Katie entered Lacy’s will into probate, and J. W. Jensen was appointed executor. Lacy’s estate was divided between his mother and his sister.
 
© 2025 by Donna L. Carr.  Last revised 22 February 2025.

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