John Schuyler Crosby | |
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| First AssistantUnited 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 | (1839-09-19)September 19, 1839 Albany, New York |
| Died | August 8, 1914(1914-08-08) (aged 74) Newport, Rhode Island |
| Resting place | Albany Rural Cemetery |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| 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 Americanmilitary officer and government official. He was most notable for his service in theUnion Army during theAmerican Civil War. After leaving the Army, he served as United StatesConsul inFlorence, Italy and as thefifth Governor of theMontana Territory.
The descendant of several prominent families inNew York, Crosby attended theUniversity 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 andbrevetcaptain, and served as assistantadjutant general under GeneralBanks and assistantinspector general under GeneralPhilip 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 theFrench occupation of Mexico and participation inCuster's campaigns during theIndian 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 inFlorence, Italy from 1876 to 1881, Governor of theMontana Territory from 1883 to 1884, U.S. First Assistant Postmaster General from 1886 to 1889, and asNew York City school commissioner from 1889 to 1891.
Crosby died inNewport, Rhode Island, on August 8, 1914, and was buried atAlbany Rural Cemetery.
Crosby was born toClarkson Floyd Crosby (1817–1858) and Angelica Schuyler (1820–1896) inAlbany, New York, on September 19, 1839.[4] He was a lineal descendant ofPieter Schuyler and the great-grandson ofWilliam Floyd, a signer of theUnited States Declaration of Independence.[5]
He attended theUniversity of the City of New York (now New York University), but left school before graduation to take a tour of South America, thePacific Islands, theEast Indies, and China.[6]
At the beginning to theAmerican Civil War he joined theUnion Army and, having previous experience with theNew York State Militia, was commissioned asecond lieutenant in the First Artillery.[7] His initial service was with theArmy of the Potomac and he earned promotion tofirst lieutenant in August 1861.[5] In 1862, Crosby was transferred to theDepartment of the Gulf and following the battles ofFort Bisland,Irish Bend andVermilion Bayou wasbrevetted acaptain for gallantry.[7]
From 1863 until 1865, he served as assistantadjutant general under GeneralBanks. During theRed River Campaign, Crosby earned a letter of thanks from PresidentAbraham Lincoln for carrying dispatches through enemy territory toAdmiral Farragut.[6] Following the capture ofMobile, Alabama, Crosby transferred to become assistantinspector general under GeneralPhilip Sheridan.[5]
Following the war, Crosby remained on Sheridan's staff asaide-de-camp and adjutant general. In this capacity, he served along theRio Grande during theFrench occupation of Mexico and during Sheridan's andCuster's campaigns during theIndian Wars. He was brevetted four times for gallantry during his military service .[6] Crosby resigned from the army on January 1, 1871, as a brevet lieutenant colonel.[4][7]
After leaving the military, Crosby went to work as acivil engineer, buildingbreakwaters andlighthouses.[7] He helped found theWestchester Polo Club during this period and also won an internationalpigeon-shooting contest in 1875.[5] On July 20, 1876, Crosby was with Vice-Commodore William T. Garner of theNew York Yacht Club on the vesselMohawk when a sudden squall overturned the yacht.[8] The U.S. government later presented Crosby with a medal recognizing his heroic efforts to save lives during the boat's sinking.[6][9]
Crosby was appointedConsul for the United States delegation inFlorence, Italy by PresidentUlysses S. Grant in 1876. While at this posting, he assisted the local government in the capture and prosecution of a group offorgers.[5] For his assistance, on June 29, 1881, Crosby was awarded theOrder of the Crown of Italy.[4]
Crosby was nominated to become Governor ofMontana Territory by PresidentChester A. Arthur.[4] He was confirmed by theUnited States Senate on August 4, 1882, and took office on January 15, 1883.[10][11]
Upon his arrival, Crosby indicated his commitment to the territory by making over $20,000 of investments within Montana. Despite this level of dedication, the Republican governor still managed to antagonize the territory's Democratic majority through liberal use of his veto power. The most prominent example of his veto use was his blocking of a bill authorizing the establishment of a cattle commission and cattle inspection system. Despite the veto, Crosby did take steps to halt cattle infected withTexas fever from being imported into the territory. Other activities pursued by the governor were a strong anti-crime policy, opposition topolygamy, and an effort to reduce lands held byNative Americans.[4] He also played an important role in blocking cattle interests from gaining control ofYellowstone.[7]
Crosby was an avidbig game hunter. While governor, he organized one of the largest big game hunts in U.S. history with a hunting party that included President Arthur,Secretary of WarRobert Todd Lincoln, SenatorGeorge Graham Vest,Daniel G. Rollins and other dignitaries.[5] Crosby resigned as governor on November 11, 1884, in order to become First Assistant Postmaster General.[4]
Crosby held the position of First Assistant Postmaster General until March 1885. He then moved to New York City where, from 1889 to 1891, he was the city's school commissioner.[7] After completing his job as commissioner, Crosby traveled extensively until 1897. He was also active in theGrand Army of the Republic,Loyal Legion,Sons of the Revolution, and a variety of Washington, D.C., and New York City social clubs.[6]
On June 26, 1863, Crosby married Harriet Van Rensselaer (1838–1911),[12] youngest daughter of GeneralStephen Van Rensselaer IV (1789–1868),[4][5] who was the last patroon ofRensselaerwyck.[13] She was the granddaughter ofStephen Van Rensselaer III andMargarita "Peggy" Schuyler, the daughter of Gen. andU.S. SenatorPhilip Schuyler. The marriage produced two children:[4]
During his final years, Crosby suffered from declining health. On January 20, 1913, while he was in his sick bed, one of his servants suddenly became crazed and he was forced to fight off and subdue the knife wielding valet.[16] Crosby died inNewport, Rhode Island on August 8, 1914.[5] He is buried in Section 14, Lot 1 ofAlbany Rural Cemetery inMenands, New York.[17]
His grandson wasHenry Sturgis Crosby (1898–1929),[18] a bon vivant, poet, and publisher who for some epitomized theLost Generation in American literature,[19] who was married toMary Phelps Jacob (1891–1970).[20]
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