Picture courtesy of wikipedia

Did you know that this man was a famous Civil War General and hero who also created the holiday JUNETEENTH which is the oldest known celebration of slavery’s demise in the country?  This holiday is now celebrated in many places around the United States. Oh yeah…he was born and grew up in Joy, New York.

Read all about this fascinating man in the link below:

http://williamson.advantage-preservation.com/Viewer/?key=general%20gordon%20granger&fn=sun_and_record_usa_new_york_williamson_20050616_english_7&page=1&df=1&dt=10&tc=108&cnt=United%20States%20of%20America&sn=New%20York&cn=Williamson&pn=Sun%20And%20Record

Gordon Granger grew up in Joy, NY. From the book “Landmarks of Wayne County 1895”, edited by George Cowles, we know that in 1840 he was the first teacher at Sodus District #16 school located at 5119 Preemption Road in North Rose.

Photo of District #16 school courtesy of Ellis Briggs

The following year (1841), Gordon Granger went to West Point and began his military career.