PALMER, George Washington, lawyer, born in Ripley, Chautauqua County, New York, 7 June, 1835; died in New York city, 2 January, 1887. He was graduated at Albany law-school in 1857, and practised his profession. He was active in politics during the Lincoln campaign, and in 1861 was assistant clerk in the United States senate. Receiving an appointment in the war department, he served in the quarter-master-general's office, and was afterward appointed captain and provost-marshal of the 31st district of New York. In December, 1864, he became military secretary to Governor Reuben E. Fenton, in the following spring was made commissary-general of ordnance of New York state, with the rank of brigadier-general, and in 1868 was charged with the duties of quartermaster. In 1869 he practised law in New York city, but became appraiser of customs, holding this office until 1871, and then resuming his law-practice. In 1879 he was placed in charge of the law department, which post he resigned in 1886. For twenty years he was an active campaign speaker, and his fatal illness was ascribed to his over-exertion in 1884.