Newton, John
soldier, civil engineer, was born Aug. 24, 1823, in Norfolk, Va. In 1842 he graduated from the Military academy at West Point, and received the appointment of brevet second lieutenant in the corps of engineers.
In 1858 he was made chief engineer of the Utah expedition; in 1861 was chief engin eer of the department of the Shenandoah; and then became assistant engineer in the construction of the defences of Washington. He was given the rank of brigadier-general of volunteers, and subsequently was made a brigadier-general in the regular army. His greatest achievement was the improvement of Hell Gate channel.