This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1849 Excerpt: ...Westchester Purdys, one of the oldest families in our state, and one that has ever held a prominent position in that county, as is evidenced by the fact that there is seldom an election takes place, that one of the name is not elevated to some office by the suffrage of his fellow citizens. Alderman Purdy was born, it ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1849 Excerpt: ...Westchester Purdys, one of the oldest families in our state, and one that has ever held a prominent position in that county, as is evidenced by the fact that there is seldom an election takes place, that one of the name is not elevated to some office by the suffrage of his fellow citizens. Alderman Purdy was born, it is said, at White Plains, Westchester county, and is now about forty-eight years of age, in the full vigor of manhood and intellect. After receiving a respectable English education, he was apprenticed to a carpenter, which profession he followed after he attained his majority, and by his industry and attention to business, accumulated sufficient capital to open a country store. He was doing a good business, when his prospects were suddenly clouded, and the fruits of years of toil destroyed by the devouring flames. This catastrophe only stimulated Mr. Purdy to renewed exertions, and he resolved to try his fortunes in New York. He removed to that city, with his family, we believe, in 1821. Here he resumed his trade for a while, and then turned carman, and drove a horse and cart for a number of years. Alderman Purdy took up his residence in the tenth ward, and was soon recognized as an able and efficient politician, by the democratic party of that ward. In 1831, he received an appointment in the custom house, and during his continuance in that situation, obtained a high reputation with the mercan tile community, for his correct business transactions and habits. In the early part of 1836, Mr. Purdy, who has always been a great stickler for the doctrine of rotation in office, resigned his situation in the custom house, and retired to private life. In the spring of 1840, he was elected president of the board of aldermen, which honorable station he oc...
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Add this copy of The American Biographical Sketch Book to cart. $51.14, new condition, Sold by Revaluation Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Exeter, DEVON, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2009 by BiblioBazaar.
Add this copy of The American Biographical Sketch Book to cart. $51.74, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2019 by Wentworth Press.
Add this copy of The American Biographical Sketch Book to cart. $55.26, new condition, Sold by Revaluation Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Exeter, DEVON, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2009 by BiblioBazaar.
Add this copy of The American Biographical Sketch Book to cart. $65.00, good condition, Sold by Zephyr Used & Rare Books rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Vancouver, WA, UNITED STATES, published 1848 by Cornish, Lamport & Co..
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Seller's Description:
8vo. 408 pp. Engraved title, numerous plates. Embssd & decrtd sheep binding, gilt lettrng on spine (hnges wrn, chppng hd & ft of spine, joints startng, scuffng), still good reference copy. First edition of this excellent biographical reference published during the Mexican-American War, including biographies of such early 19th-century notables as John Jacob Astor, Henry Clay, Horace Greeley, Washington Irving, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Morse, Martin Van buren, Daniel Webster, Emma Willard, Eli Whitney, and many others.