Biographical Sketch

Col. Frank Palmer

is descended from English ancestry, who settled in New England at a very early period. His paternal grandfather, John Palmer, was one of the earliest settlers of the town of Hoosick, Rensselaer Co., N.Y. William Palmer, father of Frank Palmer, combined the occupations of farmer, merchant, and manufacturer. Taking up his residence in Plattsburgh about the year 1840, he engaged in the milling business, building the first mills on the sites now occupied by the Hartwell Mills. He was also previously engaged in the manufacture of woolen and cotton cloths, and built the mills devoted to that business formerly on Bridge Street. While conducting the milling business he carried on, in conjunction therewith, a general store. He was one of the organizers of the project of a railroad from Plattsburgh to Montreal, also of the plank-road from Plattsburgh to Redford. In the War of 1812 he served on the frontier and Lake Ontario.

Early in life he was married to Ruth Haynes, daughter of John Haynes. Their children were Hon. George W., member of Congress from 1856-60, one of three international judges for adjusting difficulties growing out of the slave-trade, was consul to Candia, in the island of Crete; John, a Baptist minister (deceased); Buel Palmer, major of the 16th Regiment, New York Volunteers; Clinton (deceased); Charles, a merchant in Plattsburgh; James (deceased); Frank; and Mrs. Julia P. Wood.

Col. Frank Palmer was born Feb. 15, 1834, received an academical education, and at the age of twenty took the position of clerk in his father's store. Soon after, in company with his brother Charles, bought his father's interest in store and milling business. This partnership continued till the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion.

On the receipt of news of the firing on Fort Sumter and the simultaneous call for troops, he was one of the first to respond. A meeting was called, and a sufficient number to form a company at once enrolled, and the officers elected to command were Col. Frank Palmer, as Captain; Royal Corbin, First Lieutenant; Pliny Moore, Second Lieutenant. This company became Company "C", 16th New York Volunteers, and did efficient service in the many battles in which the Army of the Potomac participated,- in the first battle of Bull Run, campaigns of Peninsula, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, in which last battle Col. Palmer received a flesh-wound in the thigh, which rendered him unfit for further service until his regiment was mustered out, some twelve days thereafter.

Since the war Col. Palmer has been engaged in the manufacture of iron from the ore, first at Wood's Falls, remaining there two years, then building his present works at Altona, where he employs on an average one hundred and twenty-five men, turning out two thousand tons of iron per annum.

Col. Palmer was married, Oct. 18, 1865, to Marion Stetson, youngest daughter of John S. Stetson, of Champlain.

In politics, Col. Palmer is a Republican, and by that party has been elected to represent his town in the Board of Supervisors for eight terms. Col. and Mrs. Palmer are members of the Second Presbyterian Church of Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Source:

History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York, J.W. Lewis & Co., Philadelphia, 1880, pp. 75-76; transcribed 4 August 2002 by Bridget E. Morrissey.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Bridget Morrissey, county coordinator and Webmaster, at
nycoclinto@usgennet.org
The assistant county coordinator is Emily C. Ford.