A brief listing of Warwick Valley natives and residents who either made major contributions to the history of Warwick or achieved recognition on a national level
- First Permanent White Settlers:
Johannes and Elizabeth Weesner (Wisner), 1712; and Benjamin Aske, prior to 1719.
- Elder James Benedict was the first Christian minister to live in the Warwick Valley, and a pioneer leader.
- Elias V. Coe (1794?-1843) was a Warwick physician and portrait artist. In addition to painting local physician Dr. James Young, he painted portraits of Henry W. Houston and Mrs. Phebe Houston that are in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. He is also mentioned in the family stories of E. B. Hornby in Under Old Rooftrees, on page 157.
- Jasper Cropsey-(Feb. 18, 1823-1900)--Hudson River School artist who resided in Warwick from 1866 to 1884. Purchasing 45 acres on Warwick Tpk., he built a 29 room Victiorian mansion and named it "Aladdin." He moved to Hastings-On-Hudson in 1884 due to financial difficulties, and died in 1900. His home, renamed "Barr Castle", burned in a spectacular fire in 1906. The site of his home has been marked with a historical marker. Further information can be found in an article by Roger Gavan in The Warwick Advertiser 5/28/1999, p.24-25, "Warwick Historical Society marks former estate of famed 19th Century artist".
- Frank Forester--The pseudonym of Henry William Herbert. Although he never lived in Warwick, this prominent field sports writer of the early 19th century visited many times and one of his most famous collections of hunting tales is The Warwick Woodlands.
- Frederick Franck--Born on April 12, 1909 in Maastricht, Netherlands. Known worldwide for his insightful blending of art and spirituality, Dr. Franck settled here in the early 1960's and built the chapel Pacem in Terris, which continues to be an artistic center in the community.
- Colonel John Hathorn
(1749-1825) Born in Wilmington, Del., January 9, 1749. Moved to Warwick as a young man. Member of New York state assembly, 1778;
member of New York state senate Middle District, 1786-1789, 1799-1803; U.S. Representative from New York 4th
District, 1789-1791, 1795-1797. Died February 19, 1825. Original interment in private or family graveyard; reinterment
at Warwick Cemetery. (See also his congressional biography.)
His house still stands in Warwick as a private residence. Participated in major engagements of the war and was the commanding officer in the Battle of Minisink.
For more information search our website. You can also read accounts of the action in the bookThe Battle of Minisink by Vernon Leslie, and "Revolution in the Valley", a pamphlet of correspondence and documents in the collection of the Albert Wisner Library.
- Jones, Nathaniel (1788-1866) Born in Warwick, N.Y., February 17, 1788. Member of New York state assembly,
1827; U.S. Representative from New York 6th District, 1837-1841; member of New York state senate, 1852. Died in
Newburgh, N.Y., July 20, 1866
- Richard Kiley-(March 31, 1922--March 5, 1999)--The actor Richard Kiley, noted for his many accomplishments including the role of Don Quixote in the Broadway hit "Man of La Mancha", resided in the town of Warwick for the last 15 years of his life. He contributed greatly to many events to benefit the community.
- Henry Wisner (b.1720-d.1790)-- Born in Warwick, N.Y. Delegate to Continental Congress from New York, 1774-1777; member of New York state senate Middle District, 1777-1782. Voted for the Declaration of Independence, but was called away before the signing. Died in Goshen, N.Y., March 4, 1790. Interment at Old Wallkill Cemetery, Phillipsburg, N.Y.
- William Henry Seward--[b.May 16,1801-d.1872] Born in Florida, NY, William Henry Seward
achieved prominence as a senator and the Secretary of State under both Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. His most notable achievement, the purchase of Alaska for the United States, brought him ridicule in his time.
- Jimmy Sturr of Florida is the world recognized master of the polka,
having won 14 Grammys to date.
This Page is Under Construction
____________________________________________________________________