PAULINE MARIE SCHINDLER O'NEILL
(1865-1961)

Pauline Marie Schindler O'Neill was born January 13, 1865 in San Francisco, California, daughter of W. F. R. Schindler and Rosalie Young Schindler.  She arrived at Fort Whipple, Arizona, about 1884.  A school teacher, probably in Williamson Valley, she caught the eye of Hoof and Horn newspaper editor Buckey O'Neill.  On April 27, 1886 in Prescott, Arizona, she married William Owen "Buckey" O'Neill.  He was a Yavapai County probate judge, sheriff and tax assessor, ex officio school superintendent, reporter, editor and publisher, court recorder, and mayor of Prescott.

Pauline and Buckey had two children: "Buckey" Jr., born January 1, 1887, who died at two weeks old and Maurice, adopted on October 15, 1897.  At the start of the Spanish-American War in 1898, Buckey co-founded the First United States Volunteer Cavalry (Roosevelt's Rough Riders).  He recruited the men for Troop A of that regiment on July 1, 1898, and was killed at Kettle Hill, Cuba, while serving as its captain.

Pauline honed her political skills with several leadership positions in the Arizona Territorial Women's Suffrage Association, including at least one term as president.  She helped Arizona women earn the right to vote four years before the 19th amendment was enacted. Her first political office was an appointment to the Yavapai County Board of Examiners.  In 1917 she was elected to the Arizona Legislature, the first woman from Maricopa County to win a seat.  Serving two terms from 1918-1921, she supported many women's and children's issues, including Arizona's ratification of the 19th amendment, a plan to codify the governance of the public schools, and a minimum wage for women.

Pauline also sponsored the bill that purchased the "Old" Governor's Mansion in Prescott, thus paving the way for Sharlot Hall's dream ten years later.  She was also an active member of the Women's Relief Corps, Prescott's Chautauqua Circle, Monday Club, Women's Temperance Union, Phoenix Women's Club, American Red Cross and the Catholic Church.  Her work for the Women's Relief Corps and the American Red Cross made a tangible impact on many families and soldiers suffering hardships, and earned her a commendation from the Red Cross for her contributions during WWII.

Pauline married Eugene Brady O'Neill (Buckey's Brother) on May 16, 1901, in Phoenix.  Brady was an attorney, territorial legislator, and a leader in Arizona's Democratic Party.  He died in 1918.

Pauline died on January 12, 1961, in Hollywood, California.  She is buried in the Calvary Cemetery at Los Angeles, California.

Donors: Sharlot Hall Museum staff and volunteers.

Additional documentation and photographs may be available in the Sharlot Hall Museum Archives and Library.
 

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