William Augustus Hancock

William Augustus Hancock (May 17, 1831 – March 24, 1902) was an American pioneer, attorney, and politician. Arriving in Arizona Territory during the American Civil War, he settled in the Salt River Valley. There he performed the survey work required to create the town of Phoenix as well as holding a variety of governmental offices at the city and county levels.

Biography Hancock was born in Barre, Massachusetts, on May 17, 1831, into a family of New England farmers. He was educated in local schools and at Leicester Academy. In 1853, Hancock joined with two of his brothers and purchased some livestock in Iowa and then drove their herd to California. Upon his arrival, Hancock engaged in ranching and mining in Sacramento County Following an 1857 visit to his hometown, Hancock returned to California with a Thoroughbred stallion and several other horses.

In 1864, during the American Civil War, Hancock enlisted in Company K of the 7th Regiment California Volunteer Infantry. It is unclear as to whether the structure was the first building in Phoenix or only the first building constructed after the townsite was selected. In addition to being Hancock's home, the building also served as a general store, butcher shop, town hall, county office and general meeting place. He was also active in several irrigation projects. In 1900, Hancock proposed a company that would build flood control dams and provide irrigation water to of land in the Salt River valley. The proposal would eventually result in the creation of the Salt River Valley Water Users' Association His final years were additionally spent representing another dam project on the Agua Fria River.

Hancock died in Phoenix from nephritis on March 24, 1902, and was buried in Phoenix's Pioneer and Military Memorial Park. He was widely respected and mourned at the time of his death. Hancock Butte, near the north rim of the Grand Canyon, is named in his memory.