In 1843 John was a "star", laying the cornerstone for the first professional one of these in the U.S., on Mt. Adams
... 
That it laid the corner stone of human government upon the first... [DOC] [TLE] Antique Refracting Telescope For Sale | Observa Dome Laboratories [PAR] Not only is the equatorial mounting the very first twelve inch telescope mount 
made by ... On November 9, 1843, former President John Quincy Adams and 
long time ... laying of the cornerstone for the Cincinnati Observatory atop Mount 
Adams.