Famous People

Amelia Jenks Bloomer (1818 - 1894) She headed the Iowa woman Suffrage Association and made popular loose fitting pants called "bloomers". Born in Homer, NY (164)

William Bonney "Billy the Kid" (1859 - 1881) New Mexico's most infamous outlaw who participated in the Lincoln County War during the 19th century. Born in Manhatten, NY (392)

Joseph Campbell (1904 - 1987) A fruit merchant who founded a canned tomato preserve company that became what is known today as the Campbell Soup Company. Born in White Plains, NY (374)

Shirley Chisholm (1924 - 2005) The first black woman to be elected to Congress and the first African American to run for President on the Democratic ticket. Born in Brooklyn, NY (401)

Mark Clark (1896 - 1984) U.S. Army general that led Allied troops during World War II; president of the Citadel. Born in Madison Barracks, NY (511)

Ben Cohen (1951 - ) Ben Cohen & Jerry Greenfield are the founders of Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice-Cream. Born in Merrick, NY (582)

Tom Cruise (1962 - ) Famous actor who has appeared in movies such as Top Gun, Rain Man and Mission Impossible. Born in Syracuse, NY (402)

George Eastman (1854 - 1932) Founded the Eastman Kodak Company and invented the Kodak camera. Born in Waterville, NY (403)

Julius (Dr. J) Erving (1950 - ) Famous basketball player who changed the way the game was played. Born in Roosevelt, NY (399)

Millard Fillmore (1800 - 1874) Thirteenth President of the United States who became president after Zachary Taylor died; He never became president on his own after he served in office. Born in Cayuga County, NY (414)

George Gershwin (1898 - 1937) Composer from New York City that blended different musical styles; famous for Rhapsody in Blue. Born in Brooklyn, NY (413)

Mel Gibson (1956 - ) Famous actor that was born in Peekskill and moved to Australia as a boy; famous for Lethal Weapon, Braveheart, and many others. Born in Peekskill, NY (406)

Jerry Greenfield (1951 - ) Jerry Greenfield & Ben Cohen are the founders of Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice-Cream. Born in Brooklyn, NY (583)

Julia Ward Howe (1819 - 1910) Reformer, writer, and poet that wrote the words to "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"; lived in Portsmouth and Newport. Born in New York City, NY (503)

Michael Jordan (1963 - ) Basketball superstar who led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles; grew up in Wilmington. Born in Brooklyn, NY (428)

John Harvey Kellogg (1852 - 1943) An American doctor who was interested in nutrition. He later invented the corn flake breakfast cereal and founded the Kellogg Company with his brother Will Keith Kellogg. Born in Tyrone, NY (280)

Vince Lombardi (1913 - 1970) Considered one of the greatest football coaches in history, leading the Green Bay Packers to five NFL Championships and the first two Super Bowl titles. Born in New York, NY (404)

Herman Melville (1819 - 1891) American author who is most famous for his novel Moby Dick. Born in New York, NY (408)

Esther Hobart Morris (1814 - 1902) Helped women receive the right to vote in Wyoming and the nation's first female judge. Born in Tioga County, NY (668)

J. Sterling Morton (1832 - 1902) The 3rd Secretary of Agriculture and founder of Arbor Day; from Nebraska City. Born in Adams, NY (349)

Norman Rockwell (1894 - 1978) Famous painter and illustrator of the 20th century. He is well-known for his illustrations of every day life In The Saturday Evening Post. Born in Manhattan, NY (412)

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882 - 1945) 32nd President of the United States (1933-1945); While in office, he helped Americans get throught the Great Depression with his New Deal program. Born in Hyde Park, NY (409)

Teddy Roosevelt (1858 - 1919) Ranched near Medora and credited his Badlands experience from 1883-1886 for molding him into a president; He was the 26th president of the United States. Born in New York, NY (436)

Dr. Jonas Salk (1914 - 1995) An American physicist who developed the first vaccine for the disease polio. He has also put a lot of effort into developing a vaccine for AIDS. Born in New York City, NY (410)

Jedediah S. Smith (1799 - 1831) Mountain man and first American to get to California from the East. Born in Jericho, NY (662)

Elbridge G. Spaulding (1809 - 1897) A banker and former treasurer of New York State, Mr. Spaulding's financial expertise aided him in drafting the national currency bank bill and originating the legal tender act, which created national paper currency. Born in Summerhill, NY (405)

Denzel Washington (1954 - ) Actor that became well known on St. Elsewhere, and later in movies such as Cry Freedom and Remember the Titans. Born in Mt. Vernon, NY (411)