"John Bigelow, author; born Maiden, Ulster County, N. Y., November 25, 1817. Graduated from Union College, 1835 (LL.D., Union and Racine Colleges, 1886; University of the City of New York, 1889); admitted to bar; inspector Sing Sing prison, 1845 to 1846; one of the editors New York Evening Post, 1849-61. Consul at Paris, France, 1861-64. United States Minister to France, 1864-67. Chairman of Governor Tilden's canal investigating committee, 1875. Secretary of State of New York, 1875-77. Executor and trustee of will of late Samuel J. Tilden. President board of trustees, New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden's foundations. Author: Molinos the Quietist; France and the Confederate Navy; Life of William Cullen Bryant; Life of Samuel J. Tilden (2 vols.). A life of Franklin (3 vols.) from his pen, and the complete writings of Franklin which he edited (10 vols.)."
JOHN W. BINGHAM, whose fruit farm of sixty acres is located in the town of Newburgh near the county line, was born in the town of Marlborough, Ulster County, in 1852. His education was obtained in the Marlborough schools and the public schools of New York City, and he then engaged with his father in the management of the farm, which was purchased in 1867. Mr. Bingham is an elder in the Marlborough Presbyterian Church and identified with the I. O. O. F. He married Miss Mary Bloomer and three children have been born to them. He is a son of Charles E. and Amelia (Holmes) Bingham, who were prominent in church and social circles of Marlborough.
JOHN JACOB BIPPUS, a successful merchant of Port Jervis, was born at Bearville, Pa. His parents removed to Port Jervis when he was a child, and in the schools of that place he received his education. He has been engaged in the grocery business since 1891, and is one of the leading merchants of Port Jervis. Mr. Bippus is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the K. of P., Elks, and is an officer in the Building and Loan Association. He is vice-president of the board of trade, has been town collector and was one of the first aldermen elected after Port Jervis received its charter as a city.
CALEB BIRCH—Among the representative merchants of Orange County is Mr. Birch, who has conducted a boot and shoe establishment in Walden for a period of thirty-three years. Mr. Birch is a native of the town of Plattekill, Ulster County, N. Y., and his younger days were spent in farming. In 1872 he opened his store in Walden and in 1875 erected the building he now occupies. Mr. Birch is a member of the American Mechanics and the Knights of Honor. He married Miss Abbie Gale and the following children have been born to them: Caleb, George, Marcus and Leuella. George, who is in business with his father, is clerk of the town of Montgomery, a member of the Masonic fraternity and one of Walden's progressive young citizens.
HILAND H. BLANCHARD was born in Acra, Greene County, N. Y., February 18, 1850. His father, Justus Blanchard, was for a time engaged in the hotel business, after which he settled on a farm. He died at the age of thirty-five years. His wife, Emeline, daughter of Miles Darby, was born in Greene County and survived her husband's death many years, passing away at the age of seventy. The only surviving member of the family is the subject of our sketch. He attained his early education at the district school and afterwards attended the Wallkill Academy. In the fall of 1868 he identified himself with Wheeler Madden & Clemson, saw manufacturers, of Middletown, N. Y., and for the past twenty years has filled the office of superintendent of that concern. Mr. Blanchard married Miss Sarah Biggin, of Middletown; four children were born to this union. He is a member of Hoffman Lodge No. 412, F. & A. M., of Middletown, and the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a democrat and has served on city and county committees, is a member of the board of water commissioners and president of the Old Orchard Club.
FRED P. BLIVEN was born February 22, 1871, at Michigan Corners, Orange County. His parents were Ulysses and Caroline Bliven. There were six children in the parents' family. Fred attained his early education at the district school, and at an early age worked on a farm, which occupation he has always followed. He married Nettie Clara, of Middletown, March 22, 1897. Their one child, Pearl, resides at home. His father died in 1888 and the mother in 1880.
JOSEPH BOARD, merchant, was born at Chester, N. Y., November 9, 1842, son of Peter Seeley and Madeline C. (Conklin) Board, grandson of General Charles Board, of Boardville, N. J., and great-grandson of Captain Joseph Board, of the Revolutionary Army. He was graduated from Amherst College as A.B., with Phi Beta Kappa honors in 1867. He has been a merchant, selling coal, feed and lumber since January 1, 1868, and is a member of the firm of Board & Bryan. He is a director of the Watertown Water, Light and Power Company of Watertown, South Dakota; director and secretary of the Chester (New York) Telephone Company, and director of the Chester National Bank (and secretary of the board). Since 1868 he has acted as executor or administrator of over twenty different estates of deceased persons. He was excise commissioner of the town of Chester, N. Y., in 1876; member of the board of supervisors of Orange County, New York, from 1878 to 1880, and 1883 and 1884; candidate for member of assembly, 1884, but defeated; and member of over twenty years and president five years of the Board of Education of Chester Village; clerk of village of Chester, from 1892 to 1894. He was superintendent of construction of the Chester Waterworks in 1892 and 1893, trustee of Chester Village one year, and he is trustee of the Chester Free Library of Chester, N. Y. He made summer tours of the Pacific Coast, in 1869, Texas, Mexico, New Mexico and Wyoming in 1883, British Isles and Continent of Europe in 1887. Arkansas and Missouri in 1904, Dakotas and Minnesota in 1905; also frequent summer journeys through New England. He is a republican in politics and a Presbyterian in religion (Liberal School). He is a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Society, Amherst College, Delta Kappa Epsilon Club of New York City, member of the Sons of the Revolution, also a member of the American Geographical Society. Mr. Board married twice, first, June 1, 1868, Josephine Bradbury Curry, and second, October 2, 1870, Hannah A. Curry (both of Tilton, N. H.), and they have three children: Joseph Orton, born in 1873; Anna Tebbetts, born in 1880, and Josephine Clough, born in 1885.
JAMES BONNYMAN was born September 1, 1854, in Batriphnie, Banffshire County, Scotland. He received a common school education in Scotland, and came to America in 1872. He located in Philadelphia and worked at his trade as florist nearly nine years. He moved to Warwick in 1880, and after working for J. E. Cropsey for some time, started for himself in floriculture. He is a large grower of roses and carnations, which are mostly sold in the home market. He is a member of the Reformed Dutch Church, has been one of its deacons eight years, and is a member of the Y. M. C. A. He is an earnest church worker, and active in public affairs. In politics he is a republican. He married Miss Catherine Amelia McPeek, daughter of Lewis and Sarah McPeek, September 16, 1883. They have four children living, one having died while young. Those living are: Alexander M., born May 17, 1885, a graduate of Columbia College of Pharmacy; Amy R., born May 31, 1887, a graduate of the Warwick Institute, and Douglass, born May 27, 1893.
FRED BOOTH, secretary and general manager of the Firth Carpet Company at Firthcliffe, Orange County, N. Y., is a native of Yorkshire, England, and came to America in 1884 to superintend the plant of this company, then located in Philadelphia. In March, 1886, they purchased the Broadhead Woolen Mills, transferred their machinery to the new location and continued the manufacture of worsted yarns, tapestry and Brussels carpet. The concern, of which Mr. Booth is the active head, is one of the leading industries in Orange County. The capital stock is $1,000,000 and employment is given to four hundred persons.
The officers of the company are: F. F. Firth, president; A. F. Firth, vice-president; B. H. Tobey, treasurer, and Fred Booth, secretary and general manager.