Gedney, David Fowler

DAVID FOWLER GEDNEY.—The paternal ancestors of Judge Gedney were English Quakers, who emigrated from England to this country in the reign of Charles II. to escape the religious persecution against Nonconformists during the life of that monarch. His father was Eleazer Gedney, M.D., who was for many years an eminent physician in what was then the village of Newburgh, Orange Co., N.Y. Dr. Gedney married Miss Charlotte Bailey, of New Windsor, in the same county, and who was the daughter of Dr. Jonathan Bailey. Dr. Bailey was related collaterally to the Revolutionary patriot, Samuel Adams.

Judge Gedney was born in Newburgh-on-Hudson, Jan. 1, 1821. He was prepared to enter college at the Newburgh Academy, and in 1836 entered the junior class at Union College. He graduated in 1838, receiving the usual degree of A.B. His father and elder brother having died while he was in college, he removed with his mother and an unmarried sister (afterwards Mrs. Isaac R. Van Duzer) to Goshen, Orange Co. Here he entered upon his professional career as a student in the law-office of Van Duzer & Sharpe, and after the dissolution of that firm he continued his studies with Van Duzer & Westcott. He was admitted to the bar in 1845, and formed a partnership with Nathan Westcott, which continued until that gentleman was elected county clerk in 1850. In 1856 he was elected to the office of district attorney, and in 1862 to the office of county judge. He formed a partnership in 1874 with his son, Mr. Herbert Gedney, with whom he is now associated in business.

In 1843, Judge Gedney married Miss Henrietta Robinson Duer, youngest daughter of Alexander Duer, Esq. Mr. Duer was a son of Col. William Duer, of the Revolutionary army, and a brother of the late Judges John A. Duer and William A. Duer. Of the three children of this marriage, the eldest—Alex. Duer Gedney—was lost at sea off Cape Horn in 1860; the others are living.

Judge Gedney’s judicial career was marked by ability and impartiality, and he discharged the duties of district attorney in a manner eminently satisfactory to his county. He is an advocate of marked power, and has been connected with the trial of many important civil and criminal cases. He has taken for many years a prominent position among Republican politicians, and his speeches, both political and professional, are remarkable for the chastity of their language and the clearness and force of their logic. He is one of the oldest members of the present bar of Orange County.