Kemper & Ethel Marley
Phoenix - Maricopa County
Inducted in 2013
Kemper Marley, the name brings about a variety of images, businessman cattleman, and mover and shaker on the political scene. Ethel was known as outstanding horsewoman and philanthropists.
Like many of Arizona's pioneering families it was health concerns that brought the Marley family to the Arizona territory. May Marley, Kemper's mother suffered from a lung condition. It would be a number of years before the emergence of anabiotic's so the only viable solution was to get her away from Colorado's severe weather conditions and into a warmer climate. Kemper's father, John, owned and large cattle operation in the north eastern part of Colorado. In 1909, he packed the family up and headed for Arizona for the winter staying at the old Ford Hotel at 2nd Ave. and Washington in Phoenix. The following year, they returned, bought a house on East Pierce and settled into valley life. Soon John started acquiring cattle ranches in Arizona.
Kemper worked with his father as a boy. His dad was reportedly sharp-minded, driven, and ambitious, and have had a quick temper. The two did not have a good relationship. At the age of 14, Kemper left home to live with his brother D.V., who was also in the cattle business. After finishing high school, Kemper return home to help his ailing father run the farm and ranches.
In 1927 Kemper met Ethel Chambers at a reception held at the home of former governor George W.P. Hunt. A native of a Phoenix, Ethel was a young woman who loved horses. She was a well-rounded woman with a love of art and science. In 1989, Tom Chauncery of Tom Chauncey Arabians, described her as “one of the finest horse women in the country, a fantastic hunter and jumper, and a great lady.” She volunteered many hours of her time, working with the easy horse show, which helped raise money for the Phoenix Zoo.
Following his father's death in 1932, Kemper begin leasing ranches and farming on his own and started the United Liquor Company, one of the states largest wholesalers and joined former Arizona governor, Bob Jones, in the founding of the Jones Drug store chain. He partnered with Don Brown to found B&M Farms, one of the largest producers and shippers of vegetables in the state of Arizona.
In 1936, Kemper became closely associated with P.E. (Phil) Tovrea Sr. Their association and friendship resulted in the founding of Agricultural Products Company with cotton as their main product. They had 30 cotton gin spread across the state plus a cottonseed oil mill in Phoenix. Marley became the youngest member of the board of directors of Tovrea Packing Company, owned by the senior Tovrea.
In 1937, Kemper added sheep to his holdings partnering with Gunnar Thude to found Paradise Sheep Company. The next year, he and Dewey B. Brown, acquired the Caterpillar Tractor Dealership for the Mexican states of Sonora, Sinaloa, and Baja, California.
In 1946 Marley join forces with Tovreal once again to set up Farmers and Stockman's Bank. The bank had its headquarters at the stockyard east of Phoenix. In 1948, the pair was at it again buying the Mill Iron Hereford herd in Childress, Texas consisting of 3,500 registered cows. It was the largest purebred Hereford herd in the world.
By the1950s, Kemper had amassed an empire of 50 companies, including cotton farms, cotton gins, cattle, horses, banking, liquor, produce, and sheep. His sphere of influence continue to reach into Mexico where in 1956 he and his Mexican partners bought all the livestock from the Green Canonea Land and Cattle Company. It was reportedly the largest purchase of cattle of one breed in history. In a quote in Arizona Memories, Land, Cattle and Cotton Magazine, former governor, Jack Williams said “he was one of the legendary figures of Arizona as far as I am concerned. I have watched him for years from afar and know that he has an extraordinary mind. He has been a man's man. An epitome of a westerner, sort of John Wayne. I believe he was a great factor in politics and almost every governor of the state has called upon him at one time or another to help, including me.”
Tom Chauncey was quoted as saying “he is not the kind of man he has been painted to be. He is a real humanitarian in a true sense of the word and so is his wife, Ethel. You never hear about it because of all they're giving is done quietly and anonymously without any fanfare. I think Kemper has done more for the community than any man who has ever lived.”
At his peak, Marley was acknowledged as one of the most politically powerful and influential men in Arizona. He served on a number of boards and commissions, including board of governors of the Salt River Valley Water Users Associate District #5 for 14 years. He was on the Arizona State Highway Commission for five years and the State Fair Commission for 10 years. He was a member of the Arizona Racing Commission and the State Livestock Sanitation Board in addition, to being the secretary of the National Cotton Council.
Always civic minded, The Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation, was created in 1990 shortly before Kemper's death. It is dedicated to the supporting Arizona and causes that help the people who live in work in the state. It continues to carry on the legacy of the philanthropy that was so much part of the couples life.
Affiliations
Salt River Valley Water Users Association District #5 board of governors -14 years
Arizona State Highway Commission - five years
State Fair Commission - 10 years
Arizona Racing Commission - member
Arizona State Livestock Sanitary Board-member
National Cotton Council - secretary
Right to Work Project
Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation
Arizona-Mexico Commission -founder
University of Arizona Agriculture & Life Science
Arizona Cattlemen’s Association
A-Z Horse Show
