History of Williamstown, (Oswego County) New York United States of America

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Biographies:

George Francis Comstock - A Biography

George Francis Comstock, jurist, was born at Williamstown, N.Y., Aug. 24, 1811. He was graduated from Union college in 1834 and was admitted to the bar in 1837. He was reporter for the court of appeals, 1847-51, and published four volumes of reports. In 1852-53 he was solicitor-general of the United States, and was chief justice of the New York court of appeals, 1856-62. He was a member of the state constitutional convention of 1868. He gave $50,000 toward the founding of Syracuse university, was a trustee of that institution, 1870-90, and also served as vice-president of the board of trustees. He founded St. John's school for boys at Manlius, N.Y., giving to it $60,000. He was a trustee of the New York state institute for feeble-minded children at Syracuse; was a trustee of Hobart, 1870-77; deputy to the general convention of the diocese of central New York, 1871-92, and trustee of the parochial fund, 1869-92. In 1858 Union college conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. He edited Kent's Commentaries. He died in Syracuse, N.Y., Sept. 27, 1892.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor