John T. Alsap

John Tabor Alsap (February 26 or 28, 1830 – September 10, 1886) was an American physician, lawyer, politician, and farmer active in the early days of Arizona Territory. Among his accomplishments are being appointed the first Treasurer of Arizona Territory, being elected to four terms of the territorial legislature, serving as both Speaker of the House and President of the Council in the Arizona Territorial legislature, and becoming the first Mayor of Phoenix.

Biography Alsap was born in Frankfort, Kentucky on either February 26 or 28 in 1830. Two years later he was elected to represent Yavapai County in the 5th Arizona Territorial Legislature. During the session he was selected to serve as President of the council.

In 1869, Alsap joined his brother-in-law, W. L. Osborn, and began farming in the Salt River valley. There he help found the Phoenix Ditch Company for the purpose of building irrigation canals in the valley. On October 24, 1870, Alsap was elected one of three commissioners for the Salt River Valley Association, which oversaw creation of the town of Phoenix.

The 6th Arizona Territorial Legislature, in 1871, saw Alsap represent Yavapai County in the council for the second time. During the session he served on a committee to deal with the so-called "Apache problem". His primary accomplishment however was leading the effort to create Maricopa County from southern Yavapai County. Governor Anson P.K. Safford appointed Alsap the newly created county's Probate judge on February 21, 1871. Alsap was admitted to the bar in 1872 and practiced law for several years.

As Probate judge, Alsap was responsible for a variety of other activities. These included resolving title issues in the newly created town of Phoenix, performed weddings, and serving as ex officio superintendent of the county schools. At the completion of his first term, Alsap was appointed to a second on February 15, 1873. Following the death of his first wife, Alsap married Anna D. Murray.