Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-05-06
Closing Days OF the Widow of Hon.
ID. y. Dickinson. n.

Samuel $. Courtney, mt High Bridge.
For weeks past the life of the vener-
able lady has been despaired of, and
yesterday her physician, DIR. Henry
Paine, said that she would hardly live
the week out, and, in fact, was liable
to drop off any moment. The dis
ease from which she suffers is dropsy,
aggravated by other complications in
cident of old age. In early life Mrs.
Dlckinson's social and personal nc
complishments, added to the high po-
ltical position and deserved fame of
her husband, made her a noble figure
in the society of New York and the
National Capital. She was born in
June, 1903, in the township Of Una
dllla. Her father, DIR. Kolby Knapp,
was leading citizen of Southern
New York, the founder Of the village
Of knappsburg, Chenango county,
twelve miles from Unadilla. Her ma
ternal grandfather, Colonel Elihu
Murray, was an officer Of distinction
during the Revolutionary war and
was attached to Washingtons staff.
His daughter, Lucind, (afterward Mrs.
Dickinson's mother, was noted
beauty. In her girlhood, Mrs. Dick
inson attended the well known Oxford
Academy, at Oxford, y. Y, where,
among her fellow pupils, were Horatio
Seymour and Ward Hunt, aflerward
Judge Of the Court of Appeals.
Daniel 5. Dickinson, then unknown
to fame, was rising young wool
dresser, who, though he had never
gone TO school more than two weeks
in his life, was ambitious Gf doing
something better. He fell in love
With Lydia and married her. she being
nineteen and he twenty-five. Woman
like, she was quick to discover her
husbands talents, and urged him by
every means in her power 10 persevere
in his law studies, and fit himself for
a high position in life. The Rev.
Mr. Garvin, of Guilford, was Dickin.
sons tutor, and taught him Latin and
surveying, and other branches, in the
evening. Dickinson worked patiently
at his law-books in the daytime. In
winter, he taught school 10 pay the
expenses of his education. For seven
long years he labored, cheered and en-.
cOuraged by the smiles of his Young
wife until, at last, in 1929, he was
| admitted 10 the bar of Chenango
county. Three years later he removed
to Binghamton, where he speedily out
distanced other competitors. and be.
came the acknowledged leader of the
bar in the southern counties. His fame
quickly spread TO New York and
Albany, and in half dozen wears he
served successfully rs State Senator,
Judge Of the Court of Errors, Presi-
dental elector. and Lieutenant Gov
ernor of the State. In 1914 Governor
Buck appointed him to fill an unex.
pired term in the United States SEN
ate, and the year following he was
elected to the Legislature for the full
term. Mrs. Dickinson entered hearth
ly into all her husbands projects, and
rejoiced as became a devoted wife at
his unexampled advancement. She
accompanied him TO Washington, aud
took promini part in the social life of
the Capital. Their summers were
passed at the Senator's beautiful home.
on the outskirts Of Binghamton. Mrs.
Dlckinson's fame n a hostess was
wide spread, and the mansion and
grounds on the banks of the Chenango
were the constant resort Of distinguish
ed guests from all parts of the country
and Europe. Dinners, entertainments
and other social festivities followed.
in rapid succession, and few persons of
note visited Binghamton without par.
taking of the Senator'S hospitality.
james NJ. Mason, of Virginia George
Peabody, the London banker; Charles
OConnor, Jesse ID. Bright, of Indiana.
and several of the foreign Emhassa.
dors were frequently guests. In 1852
Mr.. Dickinson was delegate TO the
Democratic National Convention at
Baltimore. and sledgcd to the nomina.
ton of Cass. After fruitless ballot
ings Virginia led off with solid vote
for Dickinson, and would have been
followed by other States hut for the
splendid fidelity of the New York |
Senator. who, with coveted prize in
his grasp, was too loyal TO his pledges |
to accept it at the expense of Cass. |
After short pause he rose and with.
drew his name in short speech of |
grace and eloquence, which aroused |
the enthusiasm of the audience to the |
highest pitch and caused him 10 he
fairly pelted with boquets by the
ladies in the gallery. His devoted |
wife, who but for this incident might
have been mistress of the White
House, sympathized with him through.
out this trying ordeal. At the close
of his Senatorshin she retired with him