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This biography is from Landmarks of Albany County, New York, edited by Amasa J. Parker of Albany, N. Y., Syracuse, N. Y.; D. Mason & Co. Publishers, 1897.

General Robert Shaw Oliver

Gen. Robert Shaw Oliver was born in Boston, Mass., September 13, 1847. He always evinced great interest in military affairs; his education tending to develop his natural taste. He received a thorough training in the Military School of Malborugh Churchill at Sing Sing, N. Y., and went directly from it into the volunteer service, receiving a commission as second-lieutenant in the 5th Massachusetts Cavalry, September 37, 1864. Although but seventeen years of age he was almost immediately placed in command of his troop, and was in his first action within two weeks after receiving his commission. While serving before Petersburg he was selected by General Cole to be his aide-de-camp and appointed A. D. C. Cavalry Brigade, 3d Division, 25th Army Corps. On September 3, 1865, he|was appointed by General Clark to be assistant adjutant general of the Third Division, 25th Army Corps, then serving in Texas after the close of the war. On the recommendation of his superior officers he was commissioned second-lieutenant, 17th U. S. Infantry, February 23, 1866, and after a short service in New York harbor was again ordered to Texas with his regiment as acting adjutant, and later received his promotion as first lieutenant 26th Infantry. At his own request he was transferred to the 8th U. S. Cavalry, and appointed first lieutenant of that regiment May 7, 1867, and ordered to the Pacific Coast, where he served for three years in California, Oregon and Arizona in the various Indian wars at that time, and was promoted captain October 31, 1869. After leaving the army he returned to the East and moved from Boston to Albany. Becoming interested in the development of the National Guard he accepted the colonelcy of the 10th Regt., August 25, 1873, assistant adjutant-general, 9th Brigade, July 11, 1878: brigadier-general and inspector-general of the State of New York, January 1, 1880; brigadier-general, 5th Brigade, January 10, 1883; brigadier-general, 3d Brigade, December 30, 1890, a position which he still holds, an almost unbroken line of service for thirty-four years.

In social and civil life General Oliver has long been prominent in the city of Albany, where he has resided many years. He became a civil service commissioner of the city in 1894 and a police commissioner in 1895, and in promoting the welfare of the municipality he is active and persevering. He was president of the Mutual Boat Club, the Albany Tennis and Republican Unconditional Clubs, and the National Lawn Tennis Association; and is first vice-president of the Albany Vigilance League; and a member of the Fort Orange Club, the Press Club, the Albany Club, the Country Club, the Loyal Legion, the Grand Army of the Republic, the Association of the Army of the Potomac, and the Cavalry Association, and governor of Albany Chapter No. 1, Order of Patriots and Founders of America. In business he is associated with Rathbone, Sard & Co., one of the largest stove manufacturing concerns in the United States.



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