Mayer (birth name: Joseph Hoffmayer) was born in Olean, New York, to French immigrants.

After living on his own for several months he became interested in joining the troupe of a wild west circus which was performing in his town.

He changed his surname to "Mayer" because he did not want his family in New York to find him and went to Silver City, New Mexico.

The children were named Mary Bell (1878–1964), Martha Gertrude (1881–1967), Wilbur Joseph (1882–1955) and Winifred Lucille (1892–1983).

Mayer was impressed with the area and he purchased the “Big Bug Stage Station” for $1,200 in gold.

This was before the arrival and settlement of the area by the people of Anglo European descent from the east coast of the United States.

[1][2][3] The Black Canyon trail from Prescott to Phoenix was dangerous and many travelers were robbed of their belongings and sometimes murdered either by the Yavapai or the thieves who roamed the area.

He offered the "right of way" to the Southern Pacific Railroad with the condition that they establish a rail line that ran through the town.

However, the cost of removing barbed skin of cactus needles, by the patented chemical process, to make them suitable for toothpicks was too high.

[8] On November 28, 1909, Mayer heard a noise outside his house and, believing that there was an animal or thief, he took his rifle and ran outside.