The Constitutional Commission
Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, March 13, 1873
Among the sketches of members of the Constitutional Convention, now sitting in Albany [Albany Co. NY], published by the Times of that city, we find the following mention of those of its number, natives of Chenango County [NY].
Van Rensseler Richmond
Mr. Richmond was born in Preston, Chenango County [NY] in January 1812. He was educated at the academy in Oxford, Chenango County [NY], receiving a good, practical business education. On attaining his majority, he became engaged upon the Chenango canal, then in process of construction, and received from the State the appointment of chairman in the engineering office. He remained on this canal, gradually rising in point of rank until 1837, when he was appointed resident engineer on the Erie canal and took up his residence in Lyon. He continued to hold positions on the canal, when in 1858, he was chosen by the people State engineer and surveyor and was again elected in 1867. It is needless to say that Mr. Richmond discharged his duties while in his several positions to the entire satisfaction of the people, for not only is his standing as an engineer fully recognized and established, but he is also industrious, faithful and energetic.
Mr. Richmond is of a tall and slender form, but nevertheless capable of much physical endurance. His complexion is fair, hair light, eyes light blue face smooth. He does not speak on any subject, although no one is more thoroughly versed in several of the most important questions under discussion in the commission than he. His advice is sought after by many of the commissioners and he is in frequent consultation with them.
Obituaries
Van Rensselear Richmond
RICHMOND: in Lyons [Wayne Co. NY], Nov. 21, 1883, Van Rensselear Richmond, aged 71 years and 10 months.
Lyons: Hon. Van Rensselaer Richmond died at his beautiful home in this village, about half-past twelve, last Wednesday morning the 21st inst. of paralysis. Mr. Richmond had been confined to his house by rheumatism for the greater part of nine months, but just before his death had recovered sufficiently to ride out in a carriage, and it was confidently expected that he would soon entirely recover from his illness. When Mr. Richmond was stricken down by apoplexy, he was passing from one room to the other. The funeral of the deceased was attended from the family residence on Bear Street Saturday afternoon by a large concourse of people. The funeral rites were performed by Rev. H.L. Everest, rector of Grace church, after the Episcopal form, no sermon being preached. Mr. Richmond had been a vestry man in Grace church for more than twenty years, and the bearers William Van Camp, R.A. Hubbard, S.C. Redgrave, Saxon B. Gavitt, DeWitt P. Foster and D.S Chamberlin were for the most part his fellow vestry men, in the church. There never was a man in the history of this village who was held in higher esteem than was Van R. Richmond. Honored for eight years with the office of State Engineer and surveyor, he served the people with entire satisfaction, and did great credit to himself as an official. Mr. Richmond was the only man in this county who ever held an office on the state ticket. Death is at all times sad, but when it removes form among us those who are especially held in honor and esteem, it seems more sad. Although Van R. Richmond has passed from earth his memory still lives, and the good he has done among our people, especially the poor will never be forgotten. [The Newark Courier, Newark, NY, Nov. 29, 1883]
Hon. Van R. Richmond, an honored and distinguished citizen of Lyons, after a continued illness of many months, died on Tuesday evening last. Mr. Richmond was born in Chenango County, in 1812 and in early life became proficient in civil engineering. During his earlier professional career, he was employed on the Chenango and Erie canals, also performed valuable service as civil engineer in railroad construction on the N.Y. Central and other railroads. He served four terms as State Engineer and Surveyor, and in all this service proved to be a faithful and efficient public officer. We clip the following from the Republican:
The death of such a man as Van R. Richmond is a grievous loss to our community, of which he was a prominent and beloved member. No man had a warmer place than he in the affections and esteem of our people. He was a man of kindly heart and genial demeanor, a delightful companion, a sympathizing friend, an honest, upright, public spirited citizen. Called repeatedly to serve the people in official position, he acquitted himself of his trusts with honor to himself and satisfaction to the public, and from the first to last his career was that of a high-minded, capable, efficient, honorable public servant. Every man was his friend. In a residence of nearly forty years in Lyons, the writer has never heard Van R Richmond mentioned except in terms of esteem. "None knew him but to love him; none named him but to praise." Although a man of decided opinions, he was not intolerant of the opinions of those who differed with him politically or otherwise; and many of his closest friends were among his political opponents. In a word, he was a man whom to know was a pleasure, and whose death has brought upon our community a sorrow such as it has seldom experienced. A good man is dead, one who will be sadly missed and widely mourned. [Newark Union, Newark, NY, Nov. 24, 1883]
Van Rensselaer Richmond, one of the best-known engineers in the State, died at his home in Lyons, on Tuesday night, the 20th inst., aged seventy-two years. He was born in Preston, this county [Chenango Co. NY], where his father, Oliver Richmond, was a farmer. He has (says the Utica Herald) had charge of much important work, in the development of central New York. His first work was on the Chenango canal, and in 1837 he was appointed resident engineer of the Erie canal, having charge of the middle division. Since then he has made Lyons his home. When the enlargement of the canal was made, Mr. Richmond planned and supervised that part between Jordan and the Cayuga marshes, including the aqueduct over the Seneca river. This was a most important and difficult part of the line. In 1857, Mr. Richmond was elected State Engineer on the democratic ticket, and he was re-elected in 1860. This was repeated, in 1867 and 1869. In 1873 Governor Hoffman appointed him a member of the constitutional commission which revised the constitution. Mr. Richmond was division engineer of the Central Road, for the construction of that part between Syracuse and Rochester. He also did some work for the road running to Oswego, and as a consulting engineer and otherwise was at other times employed by corporations in furthering projects of moment. Mr. Richardson was conspicuous as an engineer, and had other qualities, which attached his friends to him "with hooks of steel." His only son, Dennison Richmond, is an engineer, living in Syracuse. [Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, Nov. 29, 1883]
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