own wagons and have turned out some fine carriages from their factory. They devote about three hundred acres to the raising of corn, which large area implies that the product is the largest amount of that cereal raised on any farm in the county. They started at the very bottom of the ladder financially, but by their combined efforts, industry and determination to succeed, they have built up a most extensive and profitable business, now furnishing employment to about fifty men all the year around.
The parents of these gentlemen were Henry G. and Prudy K. (Sarles) Nelson. The father died in 1860, at the age of forty-seven years, but the mother is still hale and hearty, at the age of eighty. Our subjects were their only children, William being born in 1846, and George in 1850. Both were principally educated in the public schools, though they pursued a business and collegiate course for a short time. They are wide-awake, energetic men of known reliability, and occupy an enviable position in the business world of this part of the country. Both vote the Democratic ticket, but George takes a more active part in political affairs than his brother. He was married February 17, 1898, to Miss Katie L. , daughter of Samuel and Emma Lounsbury, and they reside on the old Nelson homestead, two miles west of Katonah.
CARRIGAN, GEORGE E.
The efficient chief of police of SingSing. New York, is a native of Westchester county, born April 14, 1862, and is a son of James Edward and Mary Elizabeth (Anderson) Carrigan. The father also was born in this county, in 1822, and was here reared to manhood. Almost his entire life was passed upon the water, and at the early age of fourteen years he was given command of the sloop Ben Brandreth, plying between Croton and New York city. He was later accredited with being one of the best and most successful navigators that plied the Hudson river, and was the owner of several different vessels, including the Lucy Hopkins, one of the fleetest sloops that ever sailed that stream. She was about one hundred tons burden. For the long period of forty-eight years Captain Carrigan had command of different vessels, and after the organization of the Republican party he was one of its stanch supporters. His father was William Carrigan, also a native of Westchester county and a cooper by trade. The Captain is now deceased, but his wife, who was a native of Putnam county. New York, is still living; and of the twelve children born to them, seven survive: William H., a resident of Yonkers, New York; Elnora, wife of Charles Acley, of Croton; Marian, wife of Edward Fillmore, of SingSing; Mary E. , wife of James D. Edwards, of SingSing; James Edward, a steamboat pilot and a resident of New York city; George E., our subject; and Clarissa D., wife of Joseph Poria, of Yonkers.
George E. Carrigan was reared in Croton, New York, and was educated in the public schools of that place. 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
