John Schuyler Crosby | |
---|---|
First Assistant United States Postmaster General | |
In office 1884–1885 | |
Preceded by | Frank Hatton |
Succeeded by | Malcolm Hay |
5th Governor of the Montana Territory | |
In office January 15, 1883 – November 11, 1884 | |
Appointed by | Chester A. Arthur |
Preceded by | Benjamin F. Potts |
Succeeded by | B. Platt Carpenter |
U.S. Consul, Florence, Italy | |
In office 1876–1882 | |
Preceded by | James Lorimer Graham Jr. |
Succeeded by | William L. Welch |
Personal details | |
Born | Albany, New York | September 19, 1839
Died | August 8, 1914 Newport, Rhode Island | (aged 74)
Resting place | Albany Rural Cemetery |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse |
Harriet Van Rensselaer
(m. 1863; died 1911) |
Children | 2 |
Parent(s) | Clarkson F. Crosby Angelica Schuyler |
Relatives | Henry Sturgis Crosby (grandson) Stephen Van Rensselaer IV (father-in-law) |
Education | University of the City of New York (now New York University) |
Profession | Civil Engineer |
Awards | Order of the Crown of Italy |
John Schuyler Crosby (September 19, 1839 – August 8, 1914) (usually referred to as J. Schuyler Crosby)[1][2][3] was an American military officer and government official. He was most notable for his service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After leaving the Army, he served as United States Consul in Florence, Italy and as the fifth Governor of the Montana Territory.
The descendant of several prominent families in New York, Crosby attended the University of the City of New York (now New York University), but left before graduating so he could take an extended world tour. Having served in New York's militia before the Civil War, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Union Army's 1st Artillery Regiment once hostilities commenced. He was later promoted to first lieutenant and brevet captain, and served as assistant adjutant general under General Banks and assistant inspector general under General Philip Sheridan. He remained in the Army after the war, receiving brevets as major and lieutenant colonel for his role in defending the U.S. border during the French occupation of Mexico and participation in Custer's campaigns during the Indian Wars.
After leaving the Army in 1871, Crosby worked as an engineer, designing and supervising the construction of lighthouses, breakwaters, and other marine projects. He served as U.S. Consul in Florence, Italy from 1876 to 1881, Governor of the Montana Territory from 1883 to 1884, U.S. First Assistant Postmaster General from 1886 to 1889, and as New York City school commissioner from 1889 to 1891.
Crosby died in Newport, Rhode Island, on August 8, 1914, and was buried at Albany Rural Cemetery.