James Faulds, the subject of this sketch, was born in Rutherglen, a small hamlet near the city of Glasgow, Scotland, and came to the United States of America with his parents when a small child. His father's name was Alexander Faulds, and his mother's maiden name was Mary Knox. The boy attended the public schools of Amsterdam, New York, until he was twelve years of age, when he commenced work in a knitting mill.
In the year 1863, while still a young lad, he enlisted in the United States army in "Scott's 900 Cavalry," and served during the remainder of the war of the rebellion. After receiving an honorable discharge from the army he returned to Amsterdam, New York, and entered the employment of Schuyler & Blood, knit underwear manufacturers, as a boss carder, where he had the superintendency of the carding department of the factory. Here he continued to be employed until the year 1878, when he formed a partnership with the late Hon. John Warner for the manufacture of knitted underwear under the firm name of James Faulds & Co. This firm continued for about one year, when it consolidated with Warner, DeForest & Co., Mr. Faulds becoming the junior member of the latter concern. The company then owned and operated three large mills in the city of Amsterdam, and the young man had charge of what was known as their "No. 3. Mill," the largest of their factories. Warner, DeForest & Company continued successful manufacturing until the partnership was dissolved by the death of Mr. Warner in 1897. The surviving partners decided to retire from active business and wound up the affairs of that firm. After retiring from the manufacturing business he purchased a residence property in the city of Amsterdam, on upper Market street, where, with his family, he is leading a retired life.
Mr. Faulds was married to Carrie L. Green, of Schenectady, New York, a daughter of the late Dr. Gereau Green, in the year 1883, and two children were born to them of this union: Gereau Knox Faulds and Helen Louise Faulds.