Mr. Sanford was one of Warwick's most un-ostentatious and sterling citizens. He was for many years prominent in business and associated with the substantial and conservative institutions of the valley. He was one of the organizers and directors of the First National Bank, a promoter and director of the Warwick Valley Railroad Company, succeeded by the present Lehigh and Hudson River Railway.
He was the first and continuous president of the Warwick Cemetery Association, a model for success and careful methods. He was a successful farmer and financier.
He was an ardent republican in politics and rarely missed voting. Without being an office seeker he was at one time the supervisor of the town. Being an ardent patriot and unable in the early sixties to qualify as a soldier and go to the front, he aided by recruiting between fifty and sixty men for service under his country's flag.
He had a most equable disposition; kindly and charitable. He took a great interest in young men and loved to help them, and not a few in the town owe much of success to the wise counsel and start in life he gave them.
A quiet vein of humor was always ready to manifest itself when that part of his nature was appealed to. He was also noted for his hospitable traits, and many, far and near, will testify to sharing the comforts and pleasantries of his attractive home.
JAMES EVERETT SANFORD was born at Sandfordville, near Warwick, January 21, 1859. His education was obtained at the public school at Warwick. After his schooling he was connected with the Demarest creamery near Warwick for nearly two years. He then clerked for A. J. Burt at Bellvale for two years, after which he took the management of the home farm. During the summer of 1887 Mr. Sanford traveled in Europe. In 1889 he became identified with R. C. Williams & Co., wholesale grocers, of New York, and continued with this firm nearly twelve years as traveling salesman. In the fall of 1901 he was elected county treasurer and served the county in an efficient manner for six years. Socially he is a member of Warwick Lodge No. 544, F. and A. M., Warwick Club and Sons of the Revolution. In politics he is a republican. He is treasurer and director of the Warwick Knife Co. and attends the Baptist Church of Warwick.
JOHN W. SANFORD. Among the leading business men of Warwick, none have done more for the up building and advancement of the town than the gentleman whose name heads this review. He was born May 13, 1864, at Warwick, Orange County, N. Y. His parents were George W. and Frances A. (Baird) Sanford. He obtained his early education at the public school, graduating in 1883, after which he took an agricultural course at Cornell. In 1889 he started in the insurance, real estate and brokerage business at Warwick. Mr. Sanford gives his personal attention to two farms, which are stocked with one hundred head of the finest cattle.
He married Miss Bertha M. Furman, of Warwick, October 6, 1897. They have two children: Frances Isabel, born February 11, 1900, and Bertha Elizabeth, born January 29, 1905. In politics he is a republican, and is identified with the Old Dutch Reformed Church of Warwick. He is a director of the First National Bank, president of Warwick Cemetery Association, director of Warwick Valley Telephone Company, director and treasurer Warwick Inn. Company, director and treasurer Unionville Water Works Company, director of the Florida Water Works Company and trustee Warwick Savings Bank.
WILLIAM MOORE SANFORD was born August 17, 1827. His parents were Ezra and Adaline (Terry) Sanford. He attended the district school in his locality, after which he attended a private school at Poultney, Vt., and college at Ann Arbor Mich. The subject of this sketch and his father were identified at Sandfordville, Orange County, in the tanning business until 1880, when William M. continued the business from that period until his death, which occurred August 17, 1887. He was reared on the Sanford homestead, about two miles from Warwick. He married Sarah Burt in October, 1856. They had seven children: Charles, engaged in business in Warwick; William, of New York; Everett, residing at home; Ezra, of New York; Mary, wife of Frank Durland, of Chester, N. Y.; Addie, wife of William R. Welling, of Warwick, and Emily, wife of A. M. Reynolds, of Newark, N. J. Mr. Sanford is survived by one brother and two sisters. In politics he was a republican and served as superintendent of the poor at the time of his death.
BENJAMIN B. SAYER was born March 11, 1859, on the homestead farm, near Warwick, N. Y., which has been in the family since 1768, and was purchased by Daniel Sayer, his great-grandfather, of Henry Wisner, who lived in the town of Goshen. He obtained his early education at the Warwick Institute and has always been identified with farming. He also operates a distillery on the farm, which was established in 1812. He married Miss Annie Wagoner, of Glenburnie, Ontario, Canada, March 15, 1893. Three children were born to this union: Helen Bennett, born December 18, 1893; Mary Eraser, born June 2, 1895, and Benjamin Wagoner, born December 9, 1896. In politics Mr. Sayer is independent. He is a member of Warwick Lodge, No. 544, F. and A. M., and the Warwick grange. The farm on which Mr. Sayer resides was the place first settled on by the Warwick pioneers.