John Schuyler Crosby John Schuyler Crosby ( September 19 , 1839 – August 8 , 1914 ) was an American military officer who served as United States Consul in Florence , Italy and as the fifth Governor of Montana Territory . Biography . Early life and military service . Crosby was born to Clarkson F . Crosby and Angelica ( Schuyler ) Crosby in Albany , New York on September 19 , 1839 . He attended City University of New York , but left school before graduation to take a tour of South America , Pacific Islands , East Indies , and China . He was a lineal descendant of General and U . S . Senator from New York State Philip Schuyler and the great grandson of William Floyd , a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence . At the beginning to the American Civil War he joined the Union Army and , having previous experience with the New York State Militia , was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the First Artillery . His initial service was with the Army of the Potomac and he earned promotion to First Lieutenant in August 1861 . In 1862 , Crosby was transferred to the Department of the Gulf and following the battles of Fort Bisland , Irish Bend and Vermillion Bayou was brevetted a Captain for gallantry . From 1863 till 1865 he served as assistant adjutant general under General Banks . During the Red River Campaign , Crosby earned a letter of thanks from President Abraham Lincoln for carrying dispatches through enemy territory to Admiral Farragut . Following the capture of Mobile , Alabama , Crosby transferred to become assistant inspector general under General Philip Sheridan . Crosby married Harriet Van Rensselaer , youngest daughter of Stephen Van Rensselaer , on June 26 , 1863 . , who was the last patroon of Rensselaerwyck , a general and the son of Stephen Van Rensselaer III . The marriage produced two children : Stephen and Angelica . Following the war , Crosby remained on Sheridan ' s staff as aide - de - camp and Adjutant General . In this capacity he served along the Rio Grande during the French occupation of Mexico and during Sheridan ' s and Custer ' s campaigns during the Indian Wars . During his military service he was brevetted four times for gallantry . Crosby resigned from the army on January 1 , 1871 as a brevet Lieutenant Colonel . Italy . After leaving the military , Crosby went to work as a civil engineer building breakwaters and lighthouses . During this time he help found the Westchester Polo Club and , in 1875 , won an international pigeon - shooting contest . On July 20 , 1876 , Crosby was with Vice - Commodore William T . Garner of the New York Yacht Club on the " Mohawk " when a sudden squall overturned the yacht . He was later presented a medal for his heroic efforts to save lives during the event . Crosby was appointed Consul for the United States delegation in Florence , Italy by President Ulysses S . Grant in 1876 . While at this posting , he assisted the local government in the capture and prosecution of a group of forgers . For his assistance , on June 29 , 1881 , Crosby was awarded the Order of the Crown of Italy . Governorship . Crosby was nominated to become Governor of Montana Territory by President Chester A . Arthur . He was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 4 , 1882 and took office on January 15 , 1883 . Upon his arrival , Crosby indicated his commitment to the territory by making over US $ 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 important example of his veto use was through the blocking of a bill authorizing the establishment of a system of cattle inspections and a cattle commission . Despite the veto , Crosby did take steps to halt cattle with Texas fever from being imported into the territory . Other activities pursued by the governor were a strong anti - crime policy , opposition to polygamy , and an effort to reduce lands held by Native Americans . He also played an important role in blocking cattle interests from gaining control of Yellowstone . Crosby was an avid big game hunter . In this capacity , while governor , he organized one of the largest big game hunts in U . S . history , including dignitaries such as President Arthur , Secretary of War Robert Todd Lincoln , Senator George Graham Vest , and Daniel G . Rollins in the hunting party . Crosby submitted his resignation on November 11 , 1884 in order to become First Assistant Postmaster General . Later life . Crosby held the position of First Assistant Postmaster General until March 1886 . After leaving that post he moved to New York City where , from 1889 till 1891 he was the city ' s school commissioner . After completing his school job , Crosby traveled extensively until 1897 . He was also active in the Grand Army of the Republic , Loyal Legion , Sons of the Revolution , and a variety of Washington D . C . and New York City social clubs . 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 . Crosby died in Newport , Rhode Island on August 8 , 1914 . He is buried in Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands , Albany County , New York USA .