History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 3. Группа авторов
When his school days were over he engaged in boating on the Hudson, and on attaining his majority was given command of the schooner George A. Brandreth. Subsequently he was captain of another schooner and continued to follow the water for ten years. He then accepted the positions of deputy sheriff and constable, which offices he held for two years, discharging his official duties in a most commendable manner. Prior to accepting his present position, however, he engaged in the roofing business throughout the state for five years, making his headquarters first at Yonkers and later at SingSing. At the end of that time he was appointed chief of police in the latter city, a position he has since retained, discharging his various duties with promptness and fidelity. He is emphatically a man of enterprise, positive character, indomitable energy, strict integrity and liberal views, and is thoroughly interested in all that conserves the prosperity of his village and county.
In his political affiliations Mr. Carrigan is an ardent Republican, and socially is a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being identified with Sunnyside Lodge, No. 289, of which he is past grand, and also with Columbian Encampment. He is also president of the Sunnyside Association. In 1885 he was married, at Yonkers, to Miss Isabella Bogart, a daughter of Addison and Mary Bogart, and to them have been born two children: William H. and Florence B.
HITCHCOCK, PURDY L., M. D.
Dr. Purdy Leander Hitchcock is one of the best known and leading practitioners in Westchester county. New York, where he has been engaged in practice since 1882, having graduated the previous year at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York city.
Dr. Hitchcock was born in Westchester county. New York, September 23, 1850, and is a son of David Hitchcock, a native of Putnam county. New York, descended from English ancestors who were among the early settlers of this country. David Hitchcock is now seventy-seven years of age, strong and robust. By trade he is a carpenter, and for a number of years he was engaged in building.
Purdy L. Hitchcock received a good education in the schools of his native county and then commenced a course of study under the direction of Dr. Charles Lee, of Purdy, by whom, perhaps,, more than any other individual was his life shaped. After graduating, in 1881, he took up hospital practice for a time and in 1882 settled in Croton Falls, where he has since remained. Subsequent to his regular professional study he took a post-graduate course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and is a member of the Alumni Association of that institution. He has met with gratifying success and has established a reputation as a skilled and careful practitioner. He is a member of the Westchester County Medical Society, and fraternally is identified with the Royal Arcanum. From 1889 to 1892 he was surgeon for the Croton Magnetic Iron Mines.
November 29, 1884, the Doctor married Miss A. Butcher, a woman of refinement and culture, daughter of John Butcher, deceased. Dr. and Mrs. Hitchcock have one child, Grace A.
Dr. Hitchcock takes an active and commendable interest in all the affairs of his town, and as an enterprising and public-spirited citizen is appreciated by his fellow citizens. He is a member of the board of education, is health officer, and occupied several other positions of honor and trust. While his life is a busy one, he yet finds time to enjoy the society of a large circle of friends, extending and receiving numerous hospitalities.
GIBSON, JAMES, Sr.
This citizen of White Plains, New York, has for a number of years been closely identified with the interests of Westchester county. During his residence here he has been prospered financially and ranks now not only as one of the leading farmers of his locality but also as one of its capitalists. His record is that of a self-made man, and briefly is as follows:
James Gibson, Sr. , was born in the city of Edinburg, Scotland, in the year 1813, was educated in the common schools of his native place, and remained there until his twentieth year. He is next to the youngest of five children, three sons and two daughters, composing his father's family, and is the only one of that number now living. James Gibson, his father, was a carpenter and builder, following that business throughout his life. The mother of our subject was before marriage Miss Margaret Wright. Both passed their lives in Scotland.
In his youth the subject of our sketch learned the baker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of four years, and shortly after completing his term of service sailed for America, landing at New York city, May 22, 1834, in the Isabella Irvine, after a long and tedious voyage, covering a period of ten weeks. In New York he secured work at his trade, saved his earnings and was soon able to start up an establishment of his own, which he did, and there he conducted a successful business until 1858, when he sold out and came to White Plains. Here he purchased a farm of seventy acres, located two miles and a half southeast of the town, and on it has since carried on general farming, his land being among the best cultivated and most desirable in the locality. From time to time he has made valuable investments and is to-day the owner of much valuable real estate. He built the Auditorium in White Plains, a fine structure of brick and stone, the first floor used for stores, the second occupied by the Young Men's Christian Association, and the opera-house. Also he owns a good business block on the corner of Lexington and Railroad avenues, which he rents.
Mr. Gibson is a man who has always kept himself posted on the topics of the day, and thinks for himself. In national and state matters he gives his support to the Republican party, but in local affairs he is somewhat independent, voting for the man he believes best suited for the office rather than adhering strictly to party lines.
From 1838 to 1858 Mr. Gibson was a member of the Scottish Presbyterian church in New York city, and since coming to White Plains has been identified with the First Presbyterian church of this place, to which his family also belong and in which he has served for a number of years as a trustee. He is the oldest trustee now serving in the First Presbyterian church at White Plains. He is also school trustee of district No. 2, having held that office since 1862, and he has also been road commissioner.
In 1838 he was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Jackson, who was a companion contributing to the happiness of his life for almost forty-four years, departing from the scenes of this world May 15, 1882. He has had three sons and two daughters, namely: John, James, Jr., Mary Ann, Margaret and Thomas. John died March 14, 1896; James, Jr., is married and a resident of New Rochelle. The daughters are unmarried and reside with their father. Thomas is married and resides at the parental homestead.
TRUESDELL, JOHN W.
One of the leading business men and agriculturists of Westchester county is John W. Truesdell, who has been a resident here for eight years only, but who is well and favorably known throughout this section. He is the superintendent of the noted Greene estate, which comprises some seven hundred acres of fine, arable farm land, — one of the best and most valuable homesteads in the state. With wide experience and general ability, Mr. Truesdell is just the man for the responsible position he so ably fills, and his efforts have materially increased the value of the property and the revenue therefrom.
One of the native sons of the Empire state, the subject of this sketch was born December 3, 1854, in Wyoming county, and passed his boyhood in that portion of New York. He is the son of E. G. and Lucy (Popple) Truesdell, respected and honored citizens of Wyoming county. After leaving the common schools J. W. Truesdell entered Warsaw Academy, and there pursued the study of the higher branches of knowledge. When he attained his majority he left home and went to Orange county. New York, where for many years he was successfully occupied in farming and kindred pursuits. In 1890 he was engaged to act as manager or superintendent of the Greene property in Westchester county, and he has since devoted his energies to the cultivation and improvement of the place. He has always given much attention to the raising of fine horses, and he is now interested specially in this direction, as a ready market is to be found for good animals in the neighboring cities.
In all his views and methods Mr. Truesdell is liberal and broad-minded, being zealous in the support of all measures which accrue to the welfare of the general public, and is active in local affairs as well. In his political faith he is an earnest Republican, but he has never been an aspirant for public position, as he finds that his