Uncrowned Community Builders

On February 20, 1842 Irenas Johnson Palmer was born in Hinsdale, New York. His parents were Mr. & Mrs. Hannibal Palmer. In 1863, at the age of 21 he went to Boston, Mass. to join the Fifth Regiment Massachusetts Colored Volunteer Cavalry .On December 26, 1863 he was commissioned First Sergeant.

The Fifth Regiment was involved in numerous Civil War battles at Fort Monroe, Appomattox, and Petersburg. In 1864 they were assigned to Point Lookout in Maryland where they guarded Confederate Prisoners. In 1865 they were sent to Texas because there was anticipation of trouble with Mexico.

After the Civil War in November 1865 Mr. Palmer returned to Western New York and settled in Olean, NY where he took up his trade as an Architect and Builder. He married his wife Victoria who died in 1923.

Mr. Palmer was active in the AME Church, and the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). He wrote a book "The Black Man's Burden or The Horrors of Southern Lynchings". It was printed in 1902. An original copy of this publication is in the Olean Historical Society on Laurens Street and is displayed during Black History Month.

Irenas Johnson Palmer died on June 17, 1919. His funeral was at the AME Church with Rev. J. W. Ashton officiating. He was buried in Mount View Cemetery. He was survived by his wife Victoria, two daughters, Mrs. L. Toines of Olean and Mrs. Grace Haithcock of Buffalo. One son, Adelbert Palmer, one brother George Napoleon Palmer of Brooklyn and five grandchildren.