Antonio Amado Celaya
8 Aug 1866 - 1936
diedTempe, Arizona, USA
bornSanta Ana, Sonora, Mexico
SchooltblData
BiographyArrived in Tempe c1878. Grocery store owner.
With the French Intervention in Sonora (1867), Antonio Celaya's parents decided to leave Mexico with their eight children and migrate to the United States. They came to Arizona by covered wagon and settled in Florence in May 1870. About 1878, at the age of twelve, he came to Tempe accompanying priests from Florence who frequently came to Tempe to say the Mass at the Mt. Carmel chapel. He was later employed at the Hayden Flour Mill. Partner in Soto and Celaya Grocery, clerk at Oviedo Bros in 1923. 1892. In 1897, he established a mercantile business which he operated for 25 years. Was a clerk at Beber-Jones Merc Co in 1921.The Celaya Grocery was on Dewey Street in 1897. Around 1900 he moved his business to Mill Avenue and renamed it the Tempe Commercial Company. Ramon A. Valenzuela later joined him as a partner. A gas pump was added to the business in 1913. He retired in 1919. In 1930 was a laborer. In 1931, -'32 was a laborer at U S Entomological Laboratory.
He was actively involved in the operation of Hispanic fraternal insurance societies, or mutualistas. Associated with the Alianza Hispano-Americana for 38 years, including serving 12 years as Supreme Trustee, and three years as Supreme Secretary, 1924-1927. He was also a state delegate to the Liga Protectora Latina from Tempe Lodge No. 1 in 1915. He served as the first Supreme President of the state organization of the Liga Protectora Latina, 1915-1917, and continued to serve on the state Executive Committee for many years.
Became a naturalized citizen in 1892.
Served as Assistant Fire Chief in 1902.
Lived at 325 E. 7th St., c1900-1923; moved to 913 S. Myrtle, c1923-1931
OSB 15
BIO-Celaya
Federal census (Tempe), 1900, 1910
Old Settlers Collection, THM
Clara Urbano, genealogy notes
Antonio A. Celaya, marriage record, Phoenix Diocese
Lamb, Historical Overview
TN, 2 Nov 1900, 12 Sep 1913, 16 Jan 1924
TDN, April 1971 centennial edition, 5 Mar 1976,
25 Jul 1977, 25 Jun 1985, 8 April 1988
Maricopa County Great Register, 1894
Solliday, Journey to Rio Salado, pp. 74, 76, 105-106
Tempe CD, 1892-1921,-'23, '28, -'29, -'30, -'31, -'32
Tempe Telephone Directory, 1924
Antonio Adan Celaya (great Grandson of A. A. Celaya)
Person TypeIndividual
