The subject of this sketch was educated at the public schools of New York City, and in the year 1853, at about sixteen years of age, went to learn the trade of making wire-cloth and wire-works in all its branches. After mastering the art, he had charge of the Eagle Wire Works of New York City, as Superintendent, for nineteen years. He went to San Francisco in 1873, and remained there until 1879 as Superintendent of a shop, whence, returning to New York City, he once more took charge of the Eagle Wire Works. From there he went to Elmira, N. Y., and managed the same kind of works for eighteen months.
In 1882 Mr. Campbell moved to Binghamton, N. Y., and, securing a fine location at No. 140 State Street, opened a business at this place. The store and workshop extends through to No. 35 Commercial Avenue, occupying two floors and giving employment to three skilled workmen besides himself. Some of the most beautiful designs in bank and office railings, flower-stands, chairs, settees, and florists' decorations are turned out from this establishment. Mr. Campbell has an extensive and growing trade, and the superior quality of his goods is acknowledged by all in the city. Giving his personal attention to every piece of work that goes out of his shop, there is no possible chance of any carelessness in his manufactures; and the purchaser is always assured of getting a first-class article.
Mr. Campbell married Miss Louise Newman, a resident of New York City, born in Germany. They have one child, Richard T. Campbell, and reside in a pleasant home at No. 100 DeRussey Street, in the Fifth Ward of Binghamton. Mr. Campbell was elected from this ward as Alderman in 1892. He has served creditably on many important committees, such as Fire and Printing. Socially, he is a member in good standing of Otseningo Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and in his life well exemplifies the high moral principles which lie at the foundation of the ancient craft. He has learned to use his tools with the skill and faithfulness of a master workman, and is held in the highest fraternal regard by his fellow-Masons. He is also connected with the Knights of Honor.
Mr. Campbell has been from a young man industrious, keenly intelligent, and far-seeing, having a resolute nature, and now ranks among the most thriving and useful citizens of Binghamton. Politically, he is a pronounced Republican, a man who keeps himself well posted upon all public matters of interest to the intelligent and responsible citizen, and has taken a conspicuous part in the affairs of his party. That he has earned the approbation of the people is shown by his winning their suffrages for the important official position he now occupies. In private life he is a genial, agreeable gentleman, and is highly respected.
Source - pages 368-369.
ALEXANDER B. CARMAN, a useful and highly respected citizen of Binghamton, N.Y., is engaged in a calling indispensable to the existence of this and every other city---that of contractor and builder. His great-grandfather was a hero of the Revolution and a member of the staff of General Washington. He was, as far as known, a lifelong resident of Ulster County, New York. A son of this patriot, the paternal grandfather of Alexander, is said to have been born in a place called Old Paltz, and in early manhood to have moved to Amsterdam, Montgomery County, N. Y., and there engaged in farming, afterward coming to Broome County, where he purchased land which was yet an uncultivated forest, and, making a home, remained here until he died. He married a Miss Bloomer, from whom Alexander takes his middle name.
Thomas Carman, father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Amsterdam, N. Y., in 1808, and was brought to Broome County soon after his birth, and educated in the common schools there and at Unadilla, N. Y. When he grew to manhood, he carried on farming, mostly in Vestal, Broome County, near the city of Binghamton. He married Miss Elizabeth Bunn, daughter of Conrad Bunn, who moved to Broome County about the year 1828. She was born in the town of Esperance, Schoharie County, N. Y., in the year 1810. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Carman reared eleven children, six of whom still live, namely: Charles, of Vestal Centre, N. Y.; Keziah, Mrs. S. J. Hoyt, of Candor, Tioga County; Esquire, of New York City; Sarah, wife of Hiram S. Pierce, of the town of Binghamton, whose biography is given on another page; Alexander B.; and Christopher, residing in the city of Binghamton. The father died in the year 1890; and the mother, who was an earnest and devoted member of the Methodist church, passed from this world in 1884.
Alexander B. Carman was born in Binghamton, N. Y., May 12, 1841. Having pursued his studies in the district school of Vestal, he remained on the home farm until his twenty-first year, when he learned the carpenter's trade, and then began taking contracts, settling at once in the city of Binghamton. Among many contracts he has filled, we may cite the new wings to the courthouse, Binghamton; the Lester Shire factory; and many residences, besides a large number of structures out of the city, some of the principal ones being the almshouse at Norwich, N. Y., and a block of stores at Walton, N. Y. He is at present engaged in the erection of the union school-house at Homer, N. Y. These are but a few of the exemplifications of his skill and taste as a builder, and his popularity is well evinced by his steady and increasing business. Mr. Carman is quite extensively interested in real estate in Binghamton, owning several pieces of property, among them his handsome residence, No. 197 Murray Street, and the adjoining houses.
In August, 1867, Mr. Carman married Mrs. Ellen (Gumbert) Loomis, a native of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. They are members of the First Baptist Church of Binghamton. Mr. Carman has acceptably filled the office of Supervisor for the First Ward in 1889, and following that was elected Alderman for the years of 1890 and 1891. He served as Chairman on the responsible Committees of Streets, Walks and Bridges, Finance, and City Buildings; but he has had all of politics that he cares for, and aspires to no more preferments from his party. He takes a genuine interest in all enterprise for the progress and welfare of the city, and by his daily life illustrates the career of an upright and worthy citizen. He is an active, self-reliant man, and has accumulated his possessions by his own industry and the habit of depending upon himself instead of others.
Source: pages 532-533.
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All biographies are from Biographical Review - The Leading Citizens of Broome County, New York
Boston - Biographical Review Publishing Company - 1894
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