Cyrus M. DAYTON

page 180
Cyrus M. DAYTON, farmer and dairyman, was born in the town of Hanover, Cook Co., Ill., July 16, 1845, and is a son of Chauncey DAYTON, also a farmer, who was born in Whitestown, Oneida Co., N.Y., in 1820. His grandfather, Telam DAYTON, manufacturer, was born on Long Island. He was of English parents. His grandmother Dayton's maiden name was Experience LA SURE, born in Montreal, Canada; was of French parents. His mother, Susan (BRUNSON) DAYTON, was born in Barrington, Yates Co., N.Y. Her father, Gen. Cyrus BRUNSON, was a soldier in the War of 1812, of English descent; was born in the town of Waterbury, Litchfield Co., Conn. Her mother's maiden name was Susannah MAXWELL; was born in Essex County, N.J., of Scotch parents. Chauncey Dayton left New York when twelve years old, and came to Cook County, Ill., making his home with a family by the name of TAYLOR, who were York State people. When old enough he began farming near Chicago, Ill. He was married in 1844, and reared a family of three children, and died in 1854 of Asiatic cholera. The children are Chauncey, Winfield Scott and Cyrus M. The two younger are dead. The mother afterward married Seneca SLY, of Will County, and is living there at present time. Cyrus M. Dayton made his home with his mother until he was twenty-one years of age, and received excellent educational advantages. He first attended the Naperville Academy, and then Wheaton College, of Dupage County, Ill. He taught school when nineteen year of age, near Pontiac, Ill., and then spent several years traveling. In 1865 was visiting relatives in New York City, also in Western New York. In 1864 was a clerk in White's willow and woodenware house, South Water Street, Chicago; 1867 went to Iowa as a patent-right man. While here bought eighty acre of wild land, and then went to Kansas in company with his second cousin, Scott SHATTUCK. Health failed in 1869, and by advice of physicians went to the Ozark Mountains. Locating at Aurora, commenced teaching in 1870. Was married the last day of February, 1871, to Mary E. BERRY, who was born in Lawrence County in 1849, and the only living child of Benjamin N. and Margaret (FITCH) BERRY,who were born in Kentucky and Tennessee respectively. The father died in1884, but the mother is living with her son-in-law, Mr. Dayton. The latterand his wife have four children; Scott Beecher, born 1872; Susan Margaret, born 1874; Chauncey Brunson, born 1876, and Locke Nathan, born 1882, all of whom are at home. Mr. Dayton and family worship in the Christian Church. He is a member of K. of L., acting justice and notary public, and is a Republican in politics. Has a fine farm of 200 acres, lying at the western edge of the city, and is a great lover of his town, county and the health restoring Ozark Mountains.


From "A Reprint of Goodspeed's 1888 History of Lawrence County; Reprint Lawrence County Section of Goodspeed's Newton, Lawrence, Barry And McDonald Counties History; published by the Goodspeed Publishing Co., in 1888; Reprinted by Litho Printers Of Cassville, Missouri In 1973." as transcribed by JJR.

Return to Lawrence County Biographies