GEORGE A. POST, a successful contractor and builder, of Port Jervis, N. Y., was born at Saugerties, Ulster County, N. Y., and there learned his trade of carpenter. In 1889 he engaged in the contracting business at Port Jervis, and since that time has erected many of that city's prominent business blocks and residences. Mr. Post is a member of the Elks, and Confidence Lodge, No. 5, I. O. O. F., of Saugerties. He has served as trustee of the village and was one of the first aldermen when Port Jervis became a city. He married Hannah J. Bross, of Ten Mile River, Sullivan County, and they have four children: Fannie E., who married Charles Clark; George H., a mail carrier, married Tillie Headley; Minnie, residing at home, and Lillie, a school teacher at Westbrookville, this county.
A. E. POWERS, manager of the Port Jervis plant of Swift & Co., is a native of Charleston, N. H., and has occupied this responsible position for a period of eleven years. Mr. Powers is prominent in business and social circles and is identified with the Masonic fraternity, the Elks and Odd Fellows.
JAMES J. PROCTOR was born September 1, 1878, at Greycourt, Orange County, N. Y. He acquired his early education in the schools of Orange County and at an early age he became associated with his father, John R. Proctor, in the management of the hotel at Greycourt. His father was a charter member of the Walton Hose Company, of Chester, N. Y., and a respected and energetic business man. James was married June 12, 1906, to Mary Gardner, of Highland Falls, N. Y. Mr. Proctor has been first assistant foreman of the Walton Hose Company, of Chester, for over four years, and has been a member ten years. His brother, Henry J., was born May 27, 1875, and is identified with him in the hotel business at Greycourt. Their father died January 29, 1904.
CHARLES PURDY was born March 15, 1842, in Sullivan County, near New Vernon, N. Y. His parents were Ebenezer and Hettie (Warner) Purdy. There were nine children in the parents' family, of whom six are still living. Charles attended the district schools in Sullivan County, after which he worked at farming until 1864. He then engaged with the Erie Railroad as brakeman and later had charge of a construction and switch engine for some time.
He married Jessie A. Wardrop, of Goshen, N. Y., October 18, 1876. Mr. Purdy is now baggage master at the Erie and has served since 1883. His wife, who died December 22, 1905, was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Middletown.
[JOHN H. QUAID,] who conducts a wholesale and retail grocery store in Water street, Newburgh, succeeded to the business that was established in 1834 by his father, John Quaid, a native of Limerick County, Ireland, who came to Newburgh when a young man and began business in Oldtown at the junction of what is now Liberty street and Gidney avenue, where he remained until 1850, when he removed to the present location, 136 Water street. In 1857 his eldest son, William, became a partner and the firm was changed to John Quaid & Son. In 1871 John H. purchased his father's interest and the firm of William Quaid & Brother was formed, continuing until 1881, when William retired and John H. has since continued the business. Mr. Quaid has acquired much valuable real estate in Newburgh.
The parents of their mother, whose maiden name was McGathern, settled on a farm m the town of Blooming Grove in 1807. It is said of their grandmother that she was awarded the first premium for butter making for many years by the Agricultural Society.
Mr. John H. Quaid married Margaret Lord Fancher, daughter of Lewis Fancher, of Cornwall. She was a Daughter of the Revolution and at the time of her death in 1896 was president of St. Luke's Hospital, of which her husband was a trustee. Mr. Quaid is a member of the City Club, Newburgh Historical Society, and with his brother, William, a vestryman of St. Paul's Church.
[WILLIAM B. RAMAGE] was born in Branchville, Sussex County, N. J., January 16, 1858, and was educated in the Branchville and Morristown schools and the S. S. Seward Institute, of Florida, Orange County. In 1866 he learned the trade of carriage painting with Abraham Watts, of Florida, worked for him three years, and in 1871 engaged in business for himself in Florida, where he has continued during the thirty-six years intervening. Being a zealous Republican and an active political worker, he has held office for the past twelve years, and is now overseer of the poor and constable. He is a member of Wawayanda Lodge, No. 34, I. O. O. F., and of Warwick Lodge, No. 544, F. and A. M. He married May Jane Givens, of Florida, June 3, 1870. They have had ten children, only four of whom are living. Hattie, wife of Charles Hall, of Paterson, N. J.; Frank P., at home; Jessie, wife of M. Barry, of Florida, and Leon, at home. The mother is an earnest and active Methodist.
Mr. Ramage's father came to this country from England when he was ten years of age, went to Sussex County, N. J., and has resided there since. His wife's name was Elizabeth and they were the parents of fourteen children.