By Worcester P. Bong
Books have been written and movies made about the Earp brothers, Virgil and Wyatt. Virgil lived in Prescott, and Wyatt visited here. This is a story about two other brothers, the Ainsworths, who also resided in Prescott. Although their lives were not as colorful as the Earps, the Ainsworth brothers moved on to successful careers.
The Ainsworth brothers, Fred Crayton and Frank Kenley, were born in Woodstock, Vermont. Their parents were Crayton and Harriet (Carroll) Ainsworth. Crayton was a machinist, Harriet a homemaker. Fred was born in September 1852, Frank in October 1856. Both brothers became doctors. Fred attended the Medical Department of the University of the City of New York, graduating in 1874, then enlisted in the US Army Medical Corps as an assistant surgeon.
After numerous assignments around the U.S., on October 15, 1877, 1st Lieutenant Fred C Ainsworth arrived as post surgeon for Fort Whipple. He visited The Weekly Arizona Miner office to introduce himself. The editor was so impressed he published “He (i.e. Ainsworth) is a worthy acquisition to Whipple society.”
Between June 1878 and October 1878, Dr. Ainsworth was temporarily detailed to accompany the 8th Infantry in Oregon. Before and after his return to Fort Whipple, Dr. Ainsworth made several recommendations to repair and improve the hospital. This included new floors, additional storerooms and expansion of the hospital. Besides duties at Fort Whipple, Fred also established a private medical practice in the community. On one occasion, he was called to a local mine to treat injured miners. Periodically, Fred was acting Medical Director of the entire Military Department of Arizona.
In late August 1880, now Capt. Ainsworth, left Fort Whipple for a new assignment. An elaborate farewell reception was given at the Prescott Theater. Prior to moving, Fred offered his successful private practice to his brother, Dr. Frank K. Ainsworth, who arrived in Prescott that same month.
In 1879 Frank graduated from the same university as Fred. He worked at Mary Fletcher Hospital in Burlington, Vermont, resigning in July 1880 to move to Prescott. He established his office in the Day’s Octagon Building, 212 E. Gurley Street. The building exists today and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
In January 1884, Frank married Nellie H. Trowbridge in San Francisco. Delving into politics that year, Frank ran as councilman for Yavapai County and won, thus becoming a member of the Arizona Territorial Legislature. He was President of the Arizona Medical Association and served as a contract surgeon for Fort Whipple in 1886.
In 1886 Frank and Nellie moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as a railroad surgeon for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. In 1903 he was selected chief surgeon and would later be on the board of directors. He retired in 1926 at age 70. Frank passed away on July 5, 1929, in San Francisco at the age of 72.
Fred’s military career included becoming Chief of the Record and Pension Office of the War Department in Washington, D.C., in 1892. He retired in February 1921 as Major General. He passed away in 1934 at age 81 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Each brother made major contributions to their medical work. Frank was instrumental in building the Southern Pacific Hospital in San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake and fire. Fred streamlined the business methods of the War Department, leading to publication of official Civil War records.
Learn more about local medical and military history by viewing demonstrations of artifacts presented by Living History Interpreters at Fort Whipple Museum. Demonstrations begin April 4, 2026, and continue the first Saturday of every month through November, 10am to 4pm.
“Days Past” is a collaborative project of the Sharlot Hall Museum and the Prescott Corral of Westerners International (www.prescottcorral.org). This and other Days Past articles are also available at www.archives.sharlothallmuseum.org/articles/days-past-articles/1. The public is encouraged to submit proposed articles and inquiries to dayspast@sharlothallmuseum.org Please contact SHM Research Center reference desk at 928-277-2003, or via email at archivesrequest@sharlothallmuseum.org for information or assistance with photo requests.