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John "Jack" Swilling was born in South Carolina on April 1, 1830. He had a dual reputation for kindness and a rough, tough side. Biographers have indicated he may have killed a dozen or more men, once shooting and killing a man in Wickenburg in self-defense, then scalping him. He was also said to be addicted to morphine and alcohol.
He arrived in Phoenix from Prescott, Arizona, with friend Darrell Duppa, in 1867. He was fascinated with the ancient Hohokam ruins and artifacts, especially the extensive network of canals the ancient Indians had dug to irrigate their fields. His concept was that the old canals could be re-built for modern farmers, and that the soil of the valley could support highly productive farms.
By January 1, 1868, Swilling's home area, where up to 50 more pioneer homes had been built by this time, was known as Pumpkinville. Swilling had planted seeds along the canals, and the growth was impressive. With the input of friend and colleague Darrell Duppa, based on Duppa'ss knowledge of classic greek stories of the Phoenix Bird, Swilling and Duppa renamed the location "Phoenix."
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