Joseph Patrick Hand was born in Amsterdam, NY on November 9, 1961. He graduated from St. Mary’s Institute in 1914. After high school he worked for a Boston based Wool trading company before enlisting in the Army in April of 1918 during World War I. The war ended before he was sent into battle and he returned to Amsterdam in 1919. In 1922 he began a 34-year career selling insurance for the John Hancock Mutual Life & Insurance Company. He was also at one time the Mayor of Amsterdam.

I tell you all about how he won his election who he beat in the new 2nd Edition of my book “A Year’s Worth of Amsterdam NY Birthdays” which will be available for sale on Saturday, December 10, 2016. If you’d like to receive a copy from the first printing, fill out this reservation form and someone will contact you. The book will also be on sale at Liberty Fresh Market (4867 NY Route 30, Amsterdam, NY 12010) beginning that same day!