New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-09-08
OBITUARY.
GEORGE w. CLINTON.
UDDry DEATH OF SCHOLAR AND II
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CEMETERY
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ALBANY, Sept. Tine body of George w. Clinton,
vice chancellor OF the Board of Regents, found In
the Rural cemetery this afternoon, about quarter OF
mile from the Lodge. OF late he had manifested q
great interest IN the study OF botany and when fere
before it was his custom to follow his ayorte study in
the cemetery. Last spring he was frequent visitor.
This afternoon at o'clock he went up for the same
purpose apparently in his usual health Reaching the
Lodge he rested while and then started up the
avenue IN which direction he found two hours
later. Death had apparently been painless and is at
trbuted to heart disease. Al autopsy will be held.
The scholar land jurist whose sudden death is here
recorded belonged to one Of the ilustous families OF
the Nation and one which was particularly associated
with the colonial and early State history of NewYork
George Clinton was member of the Continental
Congress- sgner OF the Declaration Governor OF New
York from 1877 to near the close of the last century.
and early in the present one, or two terms was Vice
President of the United States. James. his brother
patriot general during the Revolution. Dewitt
Of the latter, aud father Of the subject OF this
SKETCH chief magistrate of the Empire State and
did much to achieve for the commonwealth the dstinc
ton implied in that title. in commerce. politics ana
education, by his far-sighed, liberal and energetic
craftsmanship.
George W. Clinton, was born In the city Of New York
in lSU in the middle OF bis father term or service as
Mayor He began his education at Pockets and other
notable schools but upon dewitt Chnt0ns election
Governor and removal to Albany 10 1915, the boy
continued his studies at the academy in that city, and
was aterward graduated at Hamilton College IN le29
He studied both medicine and law, but devoted himself
to the practice Of the latter being admitted to the bar
in 1881 and taken into partnership by John T.
Spencer OF Albany, whose daughter he married -Four
years later he removed to Buffalo. where one after
another, lie held various local, State and Federal
offices. lie Examiner In Chancery, District-At-
tofney OF Ontario County, Collector OF Customs Mayor
and from 1847 to 1S49 United States District
Attorney for Northern New-York. From 1854 to
1877 he served Judge Of the Superior Court OF
Buffalo being chief Justice of that tribunal during the
last years of this period His long and honorable
service in this capacity was ended by the constitutional
limit as to age
Meantime ne was active in other directions. As a
member of the State Constitutional Convention IN
1S66l67 he served the committee canalsa recog
milton OF his fathers service to the State well as OF
Board of Regents of the University in 1855 and con-
timed TO be until the time Of his death. lie was
then the oldest member IN point of service II not N
years. When Chancellor Benedict died. in 1881, and
the Hon Henry X. PersOn succeeded him, Mr.
Clinton. elevated to the Office OF viceC Chancellor
Latterly he was serving on the Standing Committees
on the State Museum OF Natural History State Library
Appropriations for Books and Apparatus, Academic
Examinations and Degrees The drst annual Con-
vocation of the Regents with the officers OF colleges
and academies subject 10 visitation by the former. IN
1868 opened with an address from him and that
of 1881 was closed In Ike manner.
His most distinguished work OF late years has bsen
editing the vast collection of State papers relating TO
George Clinton's pubic service, now in the state
Library at Albany. To this task he was assigned by
the Regents and to il he has given diligent toll, pro-
found research extensive cOrresL ondence literary skill
historical knowledge and natural family PRIDE for
years Although venerable in appearance and age, he
was vet blessed with mental vgor; and his abrupt
death ends an honorable and useful career that
promised to extend another full decade.