GEDDES, George, engineer, born in Fairmount, Onondaga County, New York, 14 February, 1809; died in New York state, 8 October, 1883. He studied engineering and surveying in Middletown, Connecticut, and law in Skaneateles, New York In 1830 he returned to his home and assumed charge of the farm. He was a member of the senate of the state of New York in 1847, and re-elected in 1849. He made an exhaustive report in favor of a railroad law that would enable persons to construct and operate railroads without special legislation, and a bill of this kind was passed in the senate in 1851. He had charge of lowering the canal of Seneca River, from 1853 till 1856. In 1861 he was president of the New York state agricultural society, and in 1865-'71 superintendent of Onondaga salt, springs. He was a contributor to newspapers and magazines.