George Myron GLEASON^[1]

1829 - 1901  (72 years)

• Name	George Myron GLEASON
  Born	16 Sep 1829	Pitcairn, St Lawrence, New York
  Gender	Male
  Occupation	Banker, politician, lawyer
  Military Event	Civil War - Co D 60th Reg, New York Vol; 2nd Lt
  Served Civil War?	Y
  Military Flag	Y
  Obituary	Gouverneur Free Press - October 2, 1901 Hon. George Myron Gleason, whose death took place at his home in this village Sunday, from a stroke of cerebral apoplexy, was one of the best known residents in the town and one of the most prominent and influential citizens in Northern NY. For some time past Mr. Gleason had not been in the best of health and during the week previous to his demise he has suffered excruciating pains caused from kidney and stomach trouble. His condition appeared to be no worse Sunday than previous to that time and during the forenoon he had been around his yard and had walked over to the home of his son in law, Arthur T. Johnson, where he spent a short time, exchanged newspapers with Mr. Johnson and returned to his home. About 11:30 he went to the barn to take care of his horse and while returning to his house he was seen by Glen Farmer to staffer and suddenly fall to the ground. He ran to his assistance by finding that he could do nothing for him ran and notified Mr. Ball and Thomas Pretty and those members of the family who were not at church. They carried him into the house and Drs. Drury and Allen were speedily summoned but despite their acknowledged skill, Mr. Gleason remained unconscious until his dissolution. Mr. Gleason was born in the town of Pitcairn, Sept 16, 1829. His parents were Levi W and Eliza R. Gleason, and out of a family of nine children, five girls and four boys, Geo M. was the fourth born. Enjoying good educational privileges until 18 years of age, he commenced life as a teacher which occupation he followed for the succeeding ten years. He then engaged in farming but in which pursuit he remained only a short time. While attending to his personal affairs he at the same time interested himself in the locality in which he resided. He served five years as the supervisor of the town of Pitcairn, five years as justice of the peace, and four years as town superintendent of the public schools. When the first indications of civil war broke over the land, Mr. Gleason's voice was heard on the side of the Union and through his efforts many of his neighbors and townsmen enlisted. In September 1861, Mr. Gleason, at the age of 33, enlisted in the service of the United States in Co D 60th Regiment, New York Volunteers and in the following month he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant in which capacity he served either with his company, then stationed in Maryland, guarding the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, or in recruiting service at Ogdensburg until May 1862 when his regiment was ordered to report at Harper's Ferry. Shortly after their arrival there, Mr. Gleason was appointed assistant quartermaster of the regiment, and accompanied it in its marches through the Shenandoah and Rappahannock valleys until he was attacked with typhoid fever in consequence of which he was reduced from 190 pounds to 108. In his emaciated condition he returned home. Of his activity in every movement to reinforce the boys at the front, of his many kindly and personal efforts to aid the families of his absent soldier friends will now be recalled. His entry into politics was shortly after he returned from the war. In 1866 he was first elected to the assembly and for six successive terms he was returned with increasing majorities. During his life in the capitol he engaged in a marked measure the esteem and confidence of his constituents and was regarded by his colleagues as not only one of the best informed but the peer of the finest orators in the lower house. In 1888, Mr. Gleason was a delegate from this Congressional district to the Republican National Convention held that year in Chicago and which nominated Benjamin Harrison for president. Innumerable times he has been sent as a delegate to State conventions of his party. In 1890 he was appointed collector of the customs, district of Oswegatchie, which position he filled for two years. In 1869 he came to Gouverneur with his family to reside. After his return from Albany, he was elected supervisor of this town and represented it on the board for many years. It was while a member of the board of supervisors that he began the study of law. He was admitted in 1879 and shortly afterward formed a co-partnership with Hon. Gerrit S. Connger, the firm being known as Conger & Gleason. In 1883 the co-partnership was dissolved and he opened an office alone, but in 1886 he entered into another co-partnership this time with his son-in-law, Arthur T. Johnson, which continued until July of last year when he was compelled to give up his legal practice on account of failing health. Mr. Gleason was made president of the First National Bank when it was organized in 1881 and he remained in that position for twenty years or until ill health compelled him to resign. Upon his resignation as president, he was made a regular director and held that position at the time of his death. Mr. Gleason was one of the most influential members of Barnes Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and for several terms acted as commander of it. In his death, Gouverneur has suffered a great loss, for he was not only a lawyer of accurate learning in his profession but he was also a man inspired by great and broad views and a lofty temperament. While he was calm and judicious as an adviser, when once in action he became fearless and aggressive and fought for his client with all the vigor of his nature. In Politics he was a leader and there were few who were his equals. In addition to his sterling character and high intellectual endowments, Geo M. Gleason was remarkable for his courtesy of manner and kindness of heart and in his quiet, silent way he did many good deeds and performed many noble actions. He was preeminently a gentleman of the old school, brave, conscientious and faithful and there are but few men his equal in this section of the state. As a public official, George M. Gleason guarded zealously every trust confided to him and executed his commission for the greatest good. As a citizen he never failed to respond to any call for public service and bore his full share of the public burden with honor to himself and the benefit of his fellow men. As a man he was brave and tender hearted, always seeking to do a kindness, never wronging anyone but standing against any oppression or wrong to others. "With charity toward all, with malice toward none" he worked for all and was helpful to all. Mr. Gleason is survived by his wife, four daughters and a son, besides two brothers and three sisters. The daughters are Mrs. Bogart, Mrs. Arthur T. Johnson and Miss Ida Gleason of this village; Mrs. James Brodie of Salem Mass, and the son is George H. Gleason, who holds a county position at Canton. His brothers are Rev. Levi Gleason of Minnesota, and Ephraim W. of this town. The sisters are Mrs. Harriet Barnhart of Minnesota, Mrs. Larua and Mrs. Lydia Manchester of Illinois. As soldier, legislator, politician, orator, banker, counselor and friend, Hon. Geo M Gleason will long be remembered with kindness by the people of Gouverneur.
  Cause of Death	Stroke of cerebral apoplexy,
  Died	28 Sep 1901	Gouverneur, St Lawrence, New York
  Buried	Riverside Cemetery, Gouverneur, St Lawrence, New York
  Person ID	I30703	Main
  Last Modified	16 Feb 2020

  
  

  Father	Levi Wheeler GLEASON,   b. 15 Sep 1797, Langdon, Sullivan, New Hampshire ,   d. 3 Nov 1875, Pitcairn, St Lawrence, New York  (Age 78 years)
  Mother	Eliza Risley DICKINSON,   b. 19 Nov 1802, Pitcairn, St Lawrence, New York ,   d. 28 Mar 1870, Pitcairn, St Lawrence, New York  (Age 67 years)
  Married	16 Sep 1824	Glastonbury, Hartford, Connecticut
  Family ID	F1485	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Sally HARRIS,   b. 18 Sep 1834, Fowler, St Lawrence, New York ,   d. 1901  (Age 66 years)
  Married	Abt 1853
  Last Modified	28 Oct 2023
  Family ID	F10562	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos

  GLEASON-george-myron Portrait

  
  

• Sources

  [S95] Correspondence, Various, 179,180,190:Gar Watson.