Daniel S Haight, b 22 Jun 1821

HAIGHT, WOOLEY, WEED, SEYMOUR

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 5/1/2004 at 07:27:40

Daniel S. Haight is a prominent citizen of Maquoketa, who has for many years been connected with its public life in various official capacities. He represents the industrial interests of the city as a skillful carpenter and joiner, and has aided in the upbuilding of this municipality from its indipient stages, he being one of the pioneers of 1855.

He was born in Ulster County, N.Y. in the town of Plattekill, June 22, 1821. His father, whose given name was Stephen, was a native of the same State, his birthplace being in Dutchess County, and he was a son of Reuben Haight. The latter was a farmer and spent his entire life in Dutchess County. He was a member of the Society of Friends. The father of our subject was reared and married in the county of his birth, and having learned the trade of a tanner he was engaged in that for some years there. After marriage he moved to Ulster County, and operated a tannery in Plattekill a few years. His next move was to New Paltz, where he engaged in buying and shipping stock to the New York City markets. In 1840 he removed with his family to Fairfax County, Va., the removal being made with teams; he bought a tract of land there, and built up a home in which he died. The maiden name of his wife was Phebe Wooley, and she was like himself a native of Dutchess County, N.Y. She died in Washington, D.C., a few years after her husband passed away. These worthy people were the parents of seven children, of whom six grew to maturity: Charles W., Eliza, Mary, Sarah A., and Henry.

The subject of this sketch was the next to the youngest of the family. He was reared and educated in his native State, and subsequently accompanied his parents to their new home in Virginia in 1840. He had previously learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, and followed it in Virginia until 1850. After that he went to the District of Columbia, and worked at his trade there a few years, spending two years in the capital. In 1855 he resolved to cast in his fortunes with the resolute, courageous, able men who were building up a great State across the Mississippi River, and he came hither by rail as far as Rock Island, Ill., then the terminus of the railway, and thence he came with a team to Maquoketa. He resumed his trade in this then small village, and has been actively and prosperously engaged at it ever since, and is looked upon as one of the most substantial and trustworthy citizens of the place.

Mr. Haight was married Dec. 13, 1848, to Miss Sarah M. Weed, and of their wedded life five children have been born: Mary E., Edwin W., Sarah A., Charles H., and George S. Mrs. Haight was born in Greenfield, Saratoga Co., N.Y. Her father, Edwin C. Weed, was born in Connecticut, and went from there to Greenfield when a young man. He established himself in the mercantile business in that town, keeping a general store there until 1847. In that year he took up his residence in Fairfax County, Va. He bought land there, but at the end of four years moved to Washington, D.C., and engaged in the insurance business in that city a short time, and then death closed his career in 1851. The maiden name of his wife was Hannah Seymour, and she was a native of Saratoga County, N.Y. Her father, Nathaniel Seymour, was born in Connecticut, and removing from there to New York he became an early settler of Saratoga County. He bought a large tract of land, engaged extensively in farming, and continued his residence on his homestead until death called him hence at the venerable age of ninety years. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Haight's mother died at the home of her son in Maquoketa. There were six children born to her and her husband: Mercy A., Isaac C., Charles H., Sarah M., Nathaniel S., and Hannah L.

Mr. Haight is a man of high standing in this community, and his fellow-citizens have delighted to honor him by bestowing upon him the highest local offices within their gift. Thus he has served two terms as Mayor of the city, was Township Clerk for many years, and is holding the office of Assessor of the city at present. He was elected to this position in 1861, and has served continuously ever since, with the exception of three years. He is connected with the I.O.O.F. as a member of Jackson Lodge. He fell into the ranks with the members who organized the Republican party, being in full sympathy with their views, and has ever since been a faithful supporter of the party.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)