CALVERT COMSTOCK
Hon. Calvert Comstock was born in the town of Western, Oneida County, July 2, 1812, and died in Rome, N. Y., October 10, 1877. He was early dependent upon his own resources for both a livelihood and an education, and at the age of sixteen began teaching school. In the intervals of this occupation and farm labor he prepared himself for college and in 1831 entered Hamilton College, where he spent two years. There he was one of the founders of the Alpha Delta Phi Society. Compelled by circumstances to relinquish collegiate life he began the study of law with his cousin, Ichabod C. Baker, in Whitesboro, and in 1835 was admitted to the bar. He then formed a co-partnership with Mr. Baker, which continued until 1838, when he removed to Rome to fill a vacancy in the firm of Foster & Stryker, occasioned by the removal of Hon. Charles Tracy to Utica. The firm became Foster, Stryker & Comstock and so continued until January 1, 1841, when Judge Henry A. Foster retired upon re-election to the State Senate. The firm of Stryker & Comstock continued until July 7, 1846, when Bloomfield J. Beach became a member. In August 1847, Mr. Stryker retired and Comstock & Beach continued until January 1, 1855, when Jr. Comstock retired permanently from the law, and at the earnest solicitation of his friends in the Democratic party removed to Albany to take charge of the Albany Argus, then the State organ of the Hunker wing of the Democrats.
As a lawyer Mr. Comstock distinguished himself in his profession, and during his twenty years of active practice won a high reputation among both associates and clients. He was eminently successful- a man of honor, condor, courtesy, ability, and integrity, of discriminating judgment, sound common sense, and greal love o fjustice. In 1845 he was appointed district attorney and by election held that office until 1850, when his extensive law business compelled him to resign. He was a member of assembly in 1845 and in connection with the State Constitution of 1846 won a state-wide reputation. He was chairman of the select committee on that subject, and took the ground that under the constitution of 1821 the Legislature had not right to submit to the people the question of calling a constitutional convention. On this point he made an elaborate report, the law and facts of which stood unchallenged. He framed such amendments to the constitution as in his judgment were demanded, and urged their adoption by the Legislature and subsequent submission to the people, but he was beaten by a combination of Barnburners and Whigs. In the end his judgment was vindicated, for lawyers and statesmen conceded that the constitution of 1846 was inferior, as a whole, to that of 1821. Mr. Comstock had a large journalistic experience. From 1838 to the end of the campaign of 1840 he had charge as editor of the Rome Sentinel. In 1847 he became a partner in the firm of A. J. Rowley & Co., in its proprietorship, the editor being his brother, Elon. In July, 1852, Calvert & Elon Comstock purchased the plant and established the Rome Daily Sentinel, which they successfully conducted until 1855, when they sold it to D. E. Wager and D. C. Rowley. Calvert Comstock then went to Albany and succeeded Edwin Croswell as editor of the Argus. The Atlas, then edited by William Cassidy, represented the other wing of the Democratic party. Shortly afterward the uniting of the two factions brought about the consolidation of the two papers and Messrs. Comstock and Cassidy continued in partnership until the former was compelled in 1860 to retire, his constitution having suddenly and completely broken down under the strain of constant labor. He returned to Rome and spent the remainder of his life.
Mr. Comstock always manifested a lively interest in the advancement and prosperity of Rome. He was influential in the construction of the various plank roads which in 1848 were built from the city in several directions. He was largely interested in the building of the Rome, Watertown, and Cape Vincent railroad and for twenty years was a director of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad Company. He was president of the Boston, Rome and Oswego Railroad Company, a projected railroad intended to take advantage of the completion of the Hoosac tunnel, and personally superintended the entire survey of the line. About 1849 he purchased, in connection of with Hon. Edward Huntington, a large tract of land in Rome from George Clarke and brought it into market as building lots. He was chiefly influential in securing the charter for the city of Rome and in 1870 was elected the first mayor. He also served for many years as president of the Board of Education.
April 27, 1836, Mr. Comstock married Miss Eliza Mann Sill, eldest daughter of Gen. Theodore Sill, of Whitesboro, the law partner of Thomas R. Gold. Mrs. Comstock died in 1868, leaving four daughters and three sons, all of whom survived their father.
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