Peekskill Museum - Event

Peekskill Museum

Statesman

Chauncey M. Depew

In the Spring of 2009, the Peekskill Museum will be opening an exhibit on Chauncy M. Depew, one of Peekskill's prominent sons of bygone years and we will review his life and times here as well.

Chauncey M. Depew, was born in Peekskill in 1834, and died in 1928 at the age of 93. He studied & graduated from The Peekskill Academy in 1852 (before the military program was introduced). He also attended Yale University. While at Yale, he was a member of the secret society Skull and Bones, but we won't say anything more about that as George Bush, another member once said when questioned about it, in so many words he replied that not much could be said of it, afterall, it was a secret.

Depew was also a noted speechmaker - Dedication of Grant's tomb, Dedication of the Statue of Liberty, and more. He studied Law in Peekskill. He was also an Assemblyman, Secretary of State, & was instrumental in welcoming President - elect Abraham Lincoln to Peekskill in 1861, met with Mr Lincoln to obtain voting rights for men from New York fighting in the Civil War, held many positions such as principal attorney for the NY Central Railroad Company, also president and chairman of the NY railroad of the same name 1885-1928. He also donated Depew Park in 1901.

We'll be adding more information & pictures here before the actual exhibit.

Please tell us you were here by signing the GUESTBOOK.