BIOGRAPHY: John H. Warford; Newburgh, Orange co., New York

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

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Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens of the Counties.
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United
States.
New York and Chicago; Chapman Publishing Co., 1895

JOHN H. WARFORD, one of the honored veterans of the War of the Rebellion, has
been the owner of his present homestead for the past twenty-seven years, and
has given much of his attention of late years to fruit-growing. His home is
situated in the town of Newburgh, where he has surrounded himself with many of
the luxuries and refinements of life.

Mahlon Warford, our subject's father, was born December 14, 1804, and his
wife, who before her marriage was Elizabeth Fox, was born March 16, 1809. They
were the parents of six children: Amanda, Sarah, Redding, John H., George and
Mary A. The father was a wheelwright and wagon-maker by trade, which
occupation he followed until his death, which occurred about 1848.
With her family the widow moved to Ulster County in 1851, settling on a farm,
and about three years later moved to this town. Her death occurred May 25,
1888.

John H. Warford is a native of New Jersey, his birth having occurred December
4, 1841, in Hunterdon County. He was but seven year's old when death deprived
him of his father's protection, and thus he was thrown upon his own resources
at an earlier age than he would have been otherwise. He removed to New York
State with his mother when he was about ten years. old, and was only thirteen
when he began working in the Orange County Powder-mills, where he remained for
six-teen years, being considered one of their most faithful and reliable
employes. He was careful of his means, and in time had laid aside enough money
to purchase a farm and settle down in comparative comfort. July 21, 1864, he
was married to Catherine McVeigh, by whom he has had a son and daughter. The
former, Clarence, is a graduate of the Newburgh Academy, which he left in
1891, and then entered the Spencerian Business College, from which he also
graduated. He is now associated with his father in the growing and canning of
choice fruits and vegetables, the "Warford" brand of canned goods being
classed among the finest on the market. Evalyn, the daughter, is still living
with her parents. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in
which they take an active part.

July 12, 1862, Mr. Warford enlisted in defense of the Stars and Stripes as a
private in Company A , One Hundred and Twenty-fourth New York Infantry, and
was mustered in at Goshen. Thence he was sent to Washington, and at
Fredericksburg had his first experience in battle. At the engagement at
Chancellorsville he was wounded, a minieball penetrating his right breast, and
he was taken to the field hospital. For about two months he was incapacitated
for duty, but later rejoined his regiment at Frederick City , and participated
in the battles of Bealsford, Gettysburg, the Wilderness and Spottsylvania, in
the last-named battle being under fire for ten days. Being wounded by a shell,
for a month lie was confined in the hospital in Philadelphia, when he returned
home on a furlough and was married. He took up his duties near Petersburg,
where his regiment was then stationed, and took part in the siege at that
place. He was located in that section for about five' months, during which
time he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. His last engagement was at
Sailor's Creek, where, April 6, 1865, just three days before the surrender, he
was again wounded, and was first taken to the field hospital, where he
remained for six days before he received proper surgical attention. A
minie-ball had passed through his right thigh, and when the wound was dressed
it was found advisable to remove him to the hospital at City Point, and later
he was transferred to Baltimore, where he remained until he had fairly
recovered. His wife had joined him and nursed him faithfully for about three
months. His honorable discharge is dated Au-gust 26, 1865. Since becoming a
voter Mr. Warford has given his allegiance to the Republican party.