History of Independence, (Allegany County) New York United States of America

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Seymour Dexter, jurist and banker, was born at Independence, Allegany county, N.Y., March 20, 1841; son of Daniel and Angeline (Briggs) Dexter; grandson of William Dexter; and a lineal descendant of the Rev. Gregory Dexter, who settled upon the Providence plantations with Roger Williams. He was prepared for college at Alfred academy and entered Alfred university, where his course was interrupted by the outbreak of the civil war. He served a two years' enlistment in the 23d regiment, N.Y.V., and returning to the university was graduated in 1864. He was admitted to the bar in 1866 and practised in Elmira, N.Y. In 1872 he was appointed city attorney for Elmira, and in 1873 was elected a member of the New York assembly. He was county judge and surrogate of Chemung county, 1877-89. He resigned in 1889 to accept the presidency of the second national bank of Elmira, N.Y. He was president of the New York state bankers' association, 1896-97; organized and became president of the Chemung Valley building and lean association in 1875; and was president of the New York state league of cooperative savings building and loan associations in 1890. In 1892 he organized the United States league of local building and loan associations, and was elected president at its first annual meeting in 1893 and again in 1894. He is the author of the motto of the league, "The American home, the safeguard of American liberties." He is the author of a treatise on cooperative savings and loan associations (1889); was elected a member of the American economic association, and of the American social science association. He was married in 1868 to Eleanor E., daughter of Ebenezer and Eleanor (Maxson) Weaver of Leonardsville, N.Y. Alfred university conferred upon him the degree of Ph.D. in 1885.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Independence, (Allegany County) New York

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