Alvina E. (Bennett) Mackin Clyburn was born April 22, 1883, at the site of Banning Creek that is now covered by Goldwater Lake. Her parents were Charles Henry and Alvina Maria (Rodriguez) Bennett.
On April 2, 1902, she married Peter Mackin, superintendent of Silver King Mine. They owned a ranch and Old Halfway House in the Groom Creek area; this was a stagecoach stop, with overnight accommodations.
Alvina was a ranch woman who raised her seven children by herself after the sudden death of her husband on November 25, 1917, when Peter was crushed by a boiler that he was removing to another location at the Storm Cloud mine. Her children were Evelyn Elnora (Clyburn) Zuchero, born November 19, 1902; George Clark, born July 20, 1904; Peter Emmett, born February 8, 1906; Joseph Thomas, born September 8, 1908; Lester James, born January 27, 1912; Mary Louise (Clyburn) Archer, born May 28, 1914; and Alice Lucretia (Clyburn) Gilmore McGinty, born March 31, 1916. A son, Edward Classen, died July 19, 1910, at the age of six months. Alvina received $190.00 from the Yavapai County Superior Court estate of Peter Mackin December 10, 1919, for the support of herself and minor children. She owned the Rose lode mining claim, in the Hassayampa Mining District.
Alvina married Claude Clyburn April 19, 1924, in Prescott and spent the rest of her days in Prescott. When the 1930 census was taken Alvina listed her occupation as a cook. "She had little else but faith, courage and the determination of all pioneer women," said her children. Her sidesaddle and branding irons are in the Sharlot Hall Museum.
One of her family said of her, "...a woman who reflected all the qualities of courage and love so necessary to her time." She was a Yavapai Cowbelle and belonged to the Moose Lodge, being installed as sentinel in June 1933. She also belonged to the "Old Timers" Club.
Alvina died on November 13, 1945, in her home at 143 S. Marina Street. "We lost the mom of all moms, but the memories we shall always cherish are priceless," said her children.
Alvina's mother, Alvina Maria (Rodriguez) Bennett, her sisters-in-law, Catherine (Healy) Bennett and Fannie Elizabeth Lindsay Bennett, and her daughter, Evelyn (Mackin) Zuchero, are also commemorated in the Territorial Women’s Memorial Rose Garden.
Donor: George Mackin
Photo Located: RGC MS-39, Box-C, F-Clyburn, Alvina
Updated: 10/29/2015, D. Sue Kissel
