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The Village of Unionville was founded in 1740, and incorporated in 1872. On July 5, 1869, the block of buildings containing several shops at the corner of East Main and Maple Street, was destroyed by fire. The only means of protection was the Bucket Brigade. After the Village was incorporated, a movement was started to have a water system. A reservoir was erected and hydrants installed, but it was not until September 30, 1895, formal action was taken to organize a Hose Company. That date a group of interested young men met at the Hanford Brothers shop to organize a Hose Company for the purpose of saving life and property from fire in this Village. Within thirty days, twenty - five men volunteered their willingness to unite their efforts and the name adopted was Minisink Hose Company #1. The twenty - five volunteers , headed by J. Harvey Hanford, Chief, were granted a charter November 11, 1895. He installed the first firemen and remained in that position seventeen years. The first Civil officers were: President - Joseph Mathews
The first Hose cart was made by the Hanford Brothers, and was kept in the shed of the makers' shop for five years until the old Hose House was erected by the Village and finished by the Hose Co. For seventy - five years the members of the
Minisink Hose Company have given their service without reservation to the
original purpose. All Honors to those who have departed, who willingly
gave themselves, and much honor is due to the founders for their self sacrifice
and especially for the leadership of J. Harvey Hanford, who was a fireman
for seventeen years. For fifteen years, L.C. Hanford, his son, was Secretary,
and his grandson today is an active member.
J. H. Hanford, Joseph Mathews, William Garner, George M. Trimbrell,
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