My Genealogy Hound

SYLVESTER S. CADY is one of Jamestown’s old residents, having begun merchandising here in 1844. He was born in Chatham, Columbia county. New York, near the Massachusetts line, June 8, 1817, and is a son of Sylvester and Abigail (Adams) Cady. His grandfather, Aaron Cady, came of English stock and was related to Judge Daniel Cady, an eminent jurist of Albany, this State. In politics he was identified with the old-line whigs. Sylvester Cady was a native of Chatham, this State, where he was born March 25, 1777. He spent his early life on a farm, and in 1845 removed to Kiantone, this county, still pursuing farming as a means of procuring a livelihood. In 1805 he married Abigail Adams and reared a family of eight children, all of whom are dead excepting Sylvester S., and one daughter, Mariah, who married Ebenezer Chapin, a farmer, (now dead) and she lives in California. The names of the others were: Sappronia, who died in Iowa; Louisa, Ichabod, Ann Adelia and Clarissa. In life Mr. Cady was a whig and died on his farm at Kiantone, in 1850.

Sylvester S. Cady, as will be seen, comes of good stock; originally from the English, he is thoroughly American. He attended the “Deestrict” schools, two miles from home, and secured such knowledge as was usually taught there. He was brought up under the old regime of farming, by main strength, no foolish machinery about it, consequently, by over-work his health failed, and he was sent to Georgia with the prospect of dying with consumption; but the climate and favorable treatment restored him to good health, and after two years returned, just after his brother’s death in Canaan, N. Y. In 1844 we find him in the grocery business at Jamestown, in which he was engaged without intermission until 1873, when he began to devote his attention to buying and shipping butter, continuing in this work for about twelve years, when he retired from active business and has since been enjoying a quiet life, the reward of work well done. It must also be mentioned that Mr. Cady was the first resident insurance agent located at Jamestown.

On the 1st day of October, 1847, he united in marriage with Ann Eliza Vanderburg, a daughter of Martin Vanderburg, and had one daughter, Mary E., now dead, who married Willis Tew, for some time a banker and now vice-president of the City National Bank, of Jamestown; and a son Jay, who is living in New York City.

Having lived here uninterruptedly for more than forty-five years, Mr. Cady has had opportunities of observing Jamestown’s growth, as have had few others of her citizens. From a country village, he has seen her advance to a magnificent city; from comparative insignificance, to her present proud eminence among the sisterhood of cities. A republican in politics, he is also an active and honored member of Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 145, F. and A. M., with which he has been connected for many years, and is now enjoying the evening of life with his companion of so many years, at the beautiful home of their son-in-law, Mr. Tew, No. 204 West Fifth street.