Chenango Co Famous People, Part 5 Daniel S Dickinson

Famous People Chenango Co. Has Given to the World

Mrs. Archie D. Gibbs

The Norwich Sun, February 3, 1921

Part 5 -  Daniel Stevens Dickinson

Daniel Stevens Dickinson

1800-1866

While Daniel S. Dickinson was not born in Chenango county he has always been accredited to this county as one of its honored sons.  He was born at Goshen, N.Y., in 1800, and came to the town of Guilford with his father seven years later.  At the age of 21` he became a school teacher and in 1826 commenced the study of law at Norwich with Lott Clark and John Clapp, still devoting three months of each winter to teaching school.

He was a brilliant student and after two years study was admitted to practice. For six years he practiced law at Guilford Centre, which was than a thriving settlement.  He later sought a broader field and moved to Binghamton where he continued to reside until his death.  He served as state senator, judge of the court of errors, was lieutenant governor from 1842 to 1851 and in 1861 was elected attorney general of the state.  In 1865 he was appointed by President Lincoln as United States district attorney for the southern district of New York. before accepting this last position he had declined several appointments tendered by the president of the United States and the governor of this state.  He died suddenly in New York city in 1866.

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Obituary

Chenango Union, April 18, 1866

The Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson, United States District Attorney, died at the residence of Mr. Courtney, his son-in-law, No. 129 East Thirty-fourth street, last evening at 8 o'clock.  He was in his office on Monday attending to business, and went home afterward complaining of an illness, the nature of which was not then understood.  His physician soon discovered that Mr. D. was suffering from a severe attack of hernia.  Mr. D. lingered on till yesterday, when it became evident that he could not outlive the night. At 5 o'clock he said so himself, and at 6 the doctor told him he might live three or four hours or even twenty-four hours, but the latter probability was doubtful.  He remained perfectly conscious to the last and died while sitting up in bed, without any struggle.  He was 66 years of age.  N.Y. Times, Friday, April 14.

Mr. Dickinson was in early life a resident of Guilford, this county [Chenango Co., NY], his father and family having moved into that town from Goshen, Connecticut, the deceased being at the time a lad of about six years of age.  He had but limited opportunities for early education, and for a time devoted himself to a mechanical pursuit; but his large and active brain thirsted for knowledge, and through diligent reading and study he fitted himself for the law office, and laid the foundation of that rich and varied learning which afterwards rendered him an accomplished as well as practical statesman.  He read law with the late Lot Clark, in this village, and during his legal studies taught school here, and perhaps in other places, for the means of support.  After his admission to the bar he removed to Binghamton, where he soon became distinguished in his profession.  His career has ever since been watched by the people of this county with peculiar pride and interest  With a decided liking and aptitude for politics, he devoted himself with ardor to the Democratic party, and shared in its glories and triumphs.  His election to the Senate of the State, where he served for four years; his election as Lieutenant Governor, and his election to the United States Senate, all attest the respect in which he was held, as well as the power which it was given him to wield.  He subsequently became conspicuously identified with divisions in the party, and afterwards, through resentment towards individual leaders of the Democracy, whom he believed were unfaithful to his advancement in the Charleston Convention, sought and found new associations in politics among his life long enemies.  yet this never severed the ties of personal regard that bound to him the most of his former friends and associates, all of whom will hear the announcement of his decease with unfeigned sorrow.  Except in his ambition, which perhaps was not an unreasonable one, he was the most unselfish of politicians; his integrity in both public and private life was not only pure but above suspicion; while as a citizen, relative or friend he was ever kind, generous and true.  Peace to his ashes!

Albany Express, April 14, 1866

Most unexpectedly the telegraph announces the death of Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson.  The removal to another sphere of one who has filled so conspicuous a place in the politics of the nation cannot be received without emotion.  He was one of the most honored citizens of the State, and the estimation in which he was held was commensurate with the official honors he had enjoyed.

Born in Goshen, Connecticut, September 11, 1800, he very early removed to this State, and though gathering only the rudiments of an education, he gained eminence as a lawyer while yet a young man.  Entering the State Senate in 1836, he was elevated to the office of Lieutenant-Governor in 1843.  In the following year a vacancy occurred in the United States Senate and Gov. Bouck appointed him to the place. At its next session the Legislature regularly elected him and he remained in the Senate until 1851.  He belonged to the wing of the Democracy which most strongly sympathized with the South, and was its most conspicuous champion in this State.  His career in the Senate gave him a national reputation, and had it not been for the division in his party he would probably have been elected President in 1852.

Strongly as he had sympathized with the South, when the South took up arms against the Government, he at once placed himself where patriotism prompted him.  Abandoning his old associations he became an ardent supporter of the Government, and spoke and labored for its success with great zeal and consummate ability.  He was elected Attorney General of the State in 1861, and at the time of his death was United States District Attorney for the Southern district of New York. At the Baltimore Convention in 1854, he was a strong competitor for the Vice Presidency, and would have received the nomination if New York had united upon him.

Mr. Dickinson was not a statesman of the first rank, but his abilities were, nevertheless, of a high order, and such as always and justly commanded popularity.  He took a high position as a debater, and as a stump speaker he was almost without a rival.  His pungent humor and vehement force, his lofty and sustained declamation, his peculiar aptness in allusions, which gave him the well known name of "Scripture Dick," always made him a power before a popular audience. Those who have heard his eloquent words of patriotism during the war, and have seen his silvery locks reaching almost to his shoulders, making him seem like one of the fathers calling upon the people with the voice of a former generation, will not soon forget the impressiveness of the scenes.  His life of political struggle was fitly crowned with a consecration which revealed something deeper in him than political ambitions.

Albany Express, April 16, 1866

Binghamton [Broome Co., NY]:  The remains of Daniel S. Dickinson arrived here today.  The train bearing his remains was draped in mourning, and as it approached the depot the assembled thousands stood uncovered in veneration for the departed statesman, their friend and neighbor.  The procession was formed and to the sound of solemn dirges escorted the remains to his late residence, "The Orchard."  All our civic societies, members of the bar, &c, joined in the procession, while all business was suspended, and dwellings were draped in mourning.

Sunday Afternoon:  The closing obsequies of the late Daniel S. Dickinson occurred this afternoon.  He was buried in accordance with the rules of the Episcopal church.  The funeral cortege was composed of many distinguished and prominent gentlemen from all parts of the country, members of the bar, the village authorities, Masonic fraternity and firemen. Special trains were running on the different railroads to accommodate the friends of the deceased.

The body was deposited in a quiet little cemetery near the outskirts of the village, known as "Spring Grove."  [Spring Forest Cemetery, Binghamton, Broome Co., NY]

Daniel S. Dickinson Statue

Binghamton, NY

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMQ8X5_Daniel_S_Dickinson_Binghamton_NY