Pioneering Families with Roots in Madison County

Pioneering Families
... with Roots in Madison County

DANIEL G. DORRANCE, JR. is now living retired in Camden, where the warm regard of his fellow townsmen is indicative of his standing as a man and citizen. He was born in Florence, Oneida county, New York, February 28, 1850, his parents being Daniel G. and Anne ( Sparrow) Dorrance. The father's birth occurred in Peterboro, New York, March 13, 1811, and the mother was born in England in 1814. Daniel Dorrance, Sr., pursued his education in his native village and in Cazenovia Seminary, after which he engaged in clerking for a Mr. Raymond in Peterboro, while subsequently he became agent for Garrett(sic) Smith at Florence, Oneida county, New York, whom he represented as a sales agent for land. He also clerked in the store of J. S. T. Stranahan and in 1837, with the capital which he had acquired by careful expenditure and indomitable industry he engaged in business for himself, continuing therein for about twenty years. In 1859 he removed to Oneida Castle and there lived retired from active business connections, although he was financially interested in various banks, being president of the Oneida Savings Bank from its incorporation until his death, which occurred on the 26th of March, 1896. He also was president of the Oneida Valley Bank for several years, one of the organizers of the Camden National Bank and a director of the Fort Stanwix Bank of Rome. His progress in business circles had been the result of his own efforts and his ability to formulate and execute well defined plans. He had for about five years survived his wife, who passed away on the 17th of December, 1891, at the age of seventy-seven years. His political allegiance was given to the republican party following its formation. He had been prominent in politics in early life and in 1846 represented his district in the state legislature as assemblyman and later was sent from Oneida county to the state senate, of which he was a member in 1854 and 1855. His religious faith was strongly manifest and he proved a loyal member of the Presbyterian church of Oneida Castle, in which he served as trustee. In the various branches of church work he took an active and helpful interest and at all times was regarded as one of the honorable and upright citizens of the county in which he made his home. To Mr. and Mrs. Dorrance there were born five children: John G., of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume; William H.; Daniel G.; Mary A., the deceased wife of Dr. Bronson Lowville, and Sarah E., the deceased wife of Hon. Charles L. Knapp, ex-member of congress from Lewis, Jefferson and Oswego district.
   Daniel G. Dorrance, Jr., whose name introduces this record, attended the schools of Oneida and afterward entered Hamilton College, graduating with the class of 1872. He came to Camden in 1875 and was here engaged in merchandising for ten years, or until 1885, when he became confidential clerk for his father at Oneida Castle, although living in Camden. He continued to act in that capacity until 1896, when he assisted in settling up his father's estate. He is now living retired in Camden and is most widely and favorably known in this section of the county. He has good business investments of various kinds, including stock in the First National Bank, of which he is a director.
   In 1876 Mr. Dorrance was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Lambie, a daughter of John and Jane (Richmond) Lambie, of Camden. Her parents were natives of Scotland and, coming to the United States in early life, settled in Camden, where the father followed the occupation of farming until his death, which occurred in 1875. His widow long survived him and passed away about 1905. His brother, Gavin Lambie, was captain of a company of the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment of Volunteer Infantry in the Civil war. John Lambie was a democrat in his political views and a Presbyterian in religious faith. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Dorrance are: Ella M. and Elizabeth L., both at home; James G., at home; Jean G., who was a twin of James and died at the age of six years; and Harold S., who will graduate from Hamilton College with the class of 1912, just forty years after his father.
   Mr. Dorrance votes with the republican party but has never sought nor desired office. He has, however, served as a member of the board of education for many years and the public-school system finds in him a warm and helpful friend. His interest in public matters is manifest in active cooperation in various movements and projects for the public good, many of which have proven of a most practical character.

Source: History of Oneida County, New York: from 1700 to the present time. Cookinham, Henry J., Chicago: S.J. Clarke, 1912, Volume 2, pp. 106-107.