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Camp, Walter Bicker —George Camp, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in the historic town of Glastonbury.
Conn., August 8, 1790, and came to Sackets Harbor in the winter of 1816—17, where he established the first printing
press and issued the first newspaper. “The Sackett’s Harbor Gazette.” In 1814 he married Elizabeth Hitchcock, formerly
of Connecticut. then of Utica, N. Y. Walter B. Camp was born at Sackets Harbor, N. Y., October 1, 1822; he received
an academic education in his own county and has always resided in Sackets Harbor, through its various changes until
this date, 1897, being interested and identified with its progress and prosperity and always ready to help those
who are worthy of such assistance. Mr. Camp has always been loyal to his native place and it has been his ruling
passion that it may advance into importance, such as its natural surroundings seem to justify. The commercial and
military spirit in this locality was so happily combined and each of foremost importance that Mr. Camp imbibed
its influence with the younger generation that stamped the earlier civil and military history of the village, and
he has not ceased in his endeavors to save as far as possible the prestige of this historic locality. To that end
all the enterprises that were calculated for its elevation obtained a large share of his time and means. The construction
of the first railway, which extended from Sackets Harbor to Pierrepont Manor, enlisted his earnest endeavors, hoping
for the completion and successful accomplishment of an enterprise that would retain the commercial importance hitherto
enjoyed at the port of Sackets Harbor. About the sum of $400000 was spent in its construction by the enterprising
citizens of this town, Henderson and Ellisburg, to which Mr. Camp was no small contributor and acted in the capacity
of custodian and local director for two years before it became extinct, affected largely by unfriendly influences
of the officials of the railway with which it made connections. That portion of his means realized from the sale
of the above railway was donated by Col. Camp to the Presbyterian church society, as a perpetual fund for the purchase
of books for the Sunday school library and for repairs of the church edifice. When the war of the Rebellion broke
out, Col. Camp was chosen by Gov. Morgan to manage the direction of the military depot to be opened at Madison
Barracks, Sackets Harbor, N. Y., and appointed him to that command with the rank of colonel, October 17, 1861.
Co]. Camp considered the appointment not only complimentary, but almost obligatory because unsolicited. He entered
at once upon his duties and in twenty-four hours one company had been enrolled into the service and in eighteen
days the 94th Infantry, N. Y. Vols., had perfected its organization and moved from camp March 14, 1863, reaching
Albany the following day. Col. Camp went with them to the capital; Gov. Morgan called upon the colonel the same
day and complimented him, saying “be was proud of the 94th Regiment, that it had given him little or no trouble
during its organization, was composed of splendid material, was in magnificent form and discipline, had been recruited
and maintained at $20,000 less expense than any like regiment in the State, and instead of losing nearly thirty
men, had a gain of two upon leaving camp.” This depot now being established, it became the active center for enlistments
and organization of volunteer regiments during the war. The 10th H. A., N. Y. Vols., was at once organized and
Col. Camp was appointed the town of Hounsfield war committee, and with Senator Bell of Brownsville, took the quotas
of that town and Hounsfield and formed the company commanded by Capt. H. O. Gilmore. After the war Gen. Sherman
was disposed to abolish the post here, there being no railway for the effective transportation of troops. To meet
this objection measures were taken at once to extend the Utica and Black River Railway to Sackets Harbor. Col.
Camp was untiring in his efforts to prevent the removal of this military station, and to secure the completion
of the road, meetings were held in the towns on the contemplated route, and with the hearty co-operation of the
enterprising citizens secured the completion of the road in 1873. During the occupancy of the barracks by Gen.
Ayers, the north half of the officers’ quarters was burned; Gen, Sherman wasopposed to any outlay, but with the
valuable influeuce of Congressman Bagley, Col. Camp succeeded in securing an appropriation of $25,000 to rebuild
the quarters. Unfavorable influences continued to operate for years, until Gen. Grant was seen by Col. Camp, with
whom for a long time he had retained an intimate acquaintance; with his proffered and valuable services in presenting
to Gen. Sherman the desirability of retaining the military station here, there came a marked change and from that
time Madison Barracks has received the attention from the government that its important position demands. Upon
the arrival here of Gen. Sherman with the 12th U. S. Infantry, under the command of Gen. Wilcox, he expressed himself
captivated with the location. Since then Madison Barracks have been progressing, first under Gen. Wilcox, and other
commanders, and now in 1897 is one of the most complete in reservations in the service. In this matter Col. Camp
has been a thorough friend of the institution, and considers himself fortunate in having the acquaintance in the
army and navy of many of its illustrious characters that have figured in the former and more recent history of
our wars, being related to Admiral Foote and Commodore Hitchcock on his mother’s side, and upon his father’s side
looks back to that most conspicuous member, Jonathan Hale, who sacrificed his life upon the altar of his country
at Jamaica Plains, Boston, 1776. The descendants of the Hale family have left the footprints in the path of honor
in deeds of patriotism and valor, at which he himself has contributed an honorable share, at which he has reason
to look upon with a degree of satisfaction upon his own part in the role of honor; of services honestly and conscientiously
rendered to the nation, to the State and his native town and village. In May, 1885, he was unanimously elected
with thetitle and associate member of the military service institution of Governor’s Island, of which the late
Gen. Hancock was president. Col. Camp continued the business his father had established after he disposed of the
newspaper business in 1821, from 1850 until 1884. In the meantime Col. Camp traveled extensively upon the continent
of Europe and far and wide over his native country bounded by the different oceans. In 1844 the family came into
possession of the mansion and grounds formerly owned and occupied by Commodore Melancton T. Woolsey, aud although
never married the colonel has entertained for many years with a refined and generous hospitality. In 1879 he completed
the erection of a chapel which was presented as a Christmas gift to the Presbyterian society, with which he has
been identified from infancy and for which he has retained an affectionate attachment. In this connection we cheerfully
give space to his liberality in money, time, and supervision of construction of the tower of the Presbyterian church
for the reception of a chime of nine bells given by Mrs. Marietta Pickering Hay of Tarrytown, to this historic
village, as a living memorial of her father, Captain Augustus Pickering, who commanded the first vessel that ever
entered the port of Chicago. He also was deeply interested in the Jefferson County Historical Society, of which
he was the first vice-president. In 1885 he succeeded in securing as executor of the estate of the late Elisha
Camp from the heirs, as a gift to the Jefferson County Historical Society and the village of Sackets Harbor, the
old battle ground of several acres fronting on Black River Bay, where the first battle was fought between the Americans
and British in the war of 1812—15 (earth works can be seen even to this day), which was dedicated with imposing
ceremonies under the auspices of the 12th Infantry, U. S. A., G. A. R. organization, village authorities and representatives
of Jefferson county and Oneida county, historical societies and gentlemen of this and neighboring counties of the
State and Canada. He was elected president of the society in January, 1893. Colonel Camp has given much time to
the study of aboriginal history of the county of Jefferson, upon which subject lie has written some valuable papers
and has secured a choice selection of relics that characterize the race that occupied this locality and were extinct
at the time of the advent of the white race to their shores, and which too has brought him in friendly relationship
with the Smithsonian Institution at Washington, D. C., and other historical societies, which brought him in contact
with many distinguished men of like tastes. Colonel Camp has an inherent talent for music; in visiting his delightful
home we find it supplied with the accessories to give it expression. With one favorite instrument, however, he
is better known in refined circles where he finds enjoyment in the concord of sweet sounds. A motto in the family
is the following: “Whatever we possess is doubly valuable when we are so happy to share it with others.” It is
pleasant to contemplate generous deeds so that when the donors pass away coming generations will arise and call
them blessed.
FROM:
Our County and it's people
A memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York
Edited by: Gates Curtis
The Boston History Co., Publishers 1894
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