My Genealogy Hound

PIERSON DEY. In the town of Fayette, Seneca County, Mr. Dey owns seventy-five acres of very productive land, and upon this place he resides, devoting his attention to the cultivation of the soil and the improvement of the farm. This estate is conveniently located within four miles of Geneva, a beautiful little village on the banks of Seneca Lake.

Mr. Dey was born in this county January 26, 1845, to Peter B. and Mary Dey. The former was born in New Jersey, June 30, 1812, and was in turn the son of Pierson, Sr., and Sarah (Conover) Dey. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was also Dey, was born in the town of Fayette, November 20, 1823, and was a daughter of Gilbert and Mary (Kenner) Dey. The former was born August 24, 1791, and was the son of Richard Dey, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume.

Peter B., the father of our subject, grew to manhood in the town of Fayette and received a very fair common-school education. After attaining his majority he left the parental roof and began to work out by the month. Soon after his marriage, however, which occurred December 24, 1840, he rented property, which he cultivated on shares until he had laid by a sufficient sum to enable him to purchase a farm of his own. The first tract which he bought consisted of fifty-two acres, and after living on the same for a few years he bought the seventy-five acres on which his son, our subject, now makes his home. He moved on this place in 1853, and was for many years thereafter engaged in its cultivation and improvement. Although not a politician, he always voted the Democratic ticket. He departed this life September 16, 1891, and his remains were interred in Glenwood Cemetery at Geneva.

The parental household included two children, the sister of our subject being Mrs. Mary Emeline Conover, the wife of S. S. Conover, whose biography also appears in this volume. Pierson was a lad of eight years when his parents took possession of the tract on which he now lives. He attended the district schools of this neighborhood, and when seventeen years old began to work out for himself and make his own way in the world. His first work was in operating a threshing-machine owned by his father, the proceeds from which he was allowed to call his own.

Mr. Dey was married, January 8, 1868, to Miss Susan A. Gambee, whose birth occurred in the town of Varick, September 11, 1845. She was the daughter of Joseph B. and Joan (Troutman) Gambee, by whom she was given the opportunity for gaining a good education. To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born two children, Anna, whose birth occurred in the town of Varick, April 11, 1871, is well educated. Peter B., whose birth also took place in that locality, November 20, 1878, is attending the common schools.

For several years after his marriage Mr. Dey continued to live in Varick, after which he spent some time with his parents in their home. Later, however, he purchased a tract of fifty-two acres in Varick, but subsequently sold out and returned home, and since his father’s death has taken charge of the farm, which he operates in a very successful and intelligent manner. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and on the ticket of that party was elected Supervisor of the town of Fayette, discharging the duties of the office in a satisfactory manner for two years.