History of Lyonsdale, (Lewis County) New York United States of America

Our database does not include an historic photo for Lyonsdale, (Lewis County) New York, do you have one you would like to contribute? Contact Us!

Caleb Lyon, representative, was born in Lyonsdale, N.Y., Dec. 7, 1822; son of Caleb and Mary (Dupont) Lyon, and grandson of Lieut. Caleb Lyon, wounded at Bunker Hill. His ancestor, Caleb Lyon, was a Scotchman who immigrated from Hertfordshire, England, and settled in New England. His father was the founder of Lyonsdale, and built a bridge and a grist mill there, 1829-31. Caleb was graduated from Norwich university, Vt., in 1839, and at an early age became known as a lecturer. He was appointed by President Polk U.S. consul to Shanghai, China, Feb. 15, 1847, but soon after reaching his post intrusted the office to a deputy and returned to the United States by way of South America and Panama. On reaching California he became interested in the organization of a state government, and was one of the secretaries of the state constitutional convention, and upon the question of selecting a state seal, the design offered by Mr. Lyon was accepted, Sept. 2, 1849, for which he was paid the sum of $1000. In 1850 he returned to Lyonsdale, N.Y., and was elected to the state assembly, resigning April 26, 1851. He was chosen a state senator in November, 1851, and soon after the expiration of his term of office, he visited Europe and travelled extensively in Turkey, Egypt and Palestine. While at Constantinople he addressed a letter to Com. Duncan A. Ingraham of the U.S. corvette St. Louis, highly approving of the measure taken in the rescue of Martin Koszta from an Austrian brig. On returning to the United States he was elected a representative in the 33d congress, serving 1853-55. He was governor of Idaho, 1864-66. The degree of LL.D. was conferred on him by Norwich university in 1851. A number of his poems were published in current magazines. His home in Lyonsdale was burned in 1866 and he removed to "Ross Castle," Staten Island, N.Y., where he died Sept. 8, 1875.

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

History of Lyonsdale, (Lewis County) New York

Biographies: