Chester and Charles A. Dewey Papers

Chester Dewey, D. D., was an American clergyman, born at Sheffield, Mass., Oct. 25, 1784, died in Rochester, N. Y., Dec. 15, 1867. He graduated at Williams College in 1806, was licensed to preach in 1808, and during the latter half of that year officiated in Tryingham, Massachusetts. The same year he accepted a tutorship at Williams College, and in 1810 was appointed to the chair of mathematics and natural philosophy, and occupied it 17 years. From 1827 to 1836 he was principal of the gymnasium at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and was also professor of chemistry in the medical colleges there and at Woodstock, Vermont. In 1836 he became principal of the Collegiate Institute at Rochester, N. Y., and in 1850, on the establishment of the University of Rochester, he was elected professor of chemistry and natural history, from which position he retired in 1860. He was active in efforts for the advancement of public schools, and was for a time president of the teachers' institute. He made the study of grasses a specialty, and discovered and described several new species. In the class of carices he was a recognized authority, and his writings on this subject make an elaborate monograph, patiently prosecuted for more than 40 years.

He was an extensive contributor to the American Journal of Science and Arts and wrote numerous papers on botany, along with a History of the Herbaceous Plants of Massachusetts, which was published by the state. His final publications were two review articles, "The True Place of Man in Zoology," and "An Examination of Some Reasonings Against the Unity of Mankind." For nearly 50 years of his active life, Prof. Dewey delivered an average of 70 sermons a year; though he was never a pastor, Dewey accepted numerous invitations to preach and to carry out weddings. He was also active in antislavery causes and educational reform. Chester Dewey married twice: He wed Sarah Dewey of Stockbridge, Massachusetts in 1810. They had 5 children before she passed away in 1823. In 1825 he remarried, to Olivia Hart, daughter of Lemuel Pomeroy of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. They had 4 children, among them Dr. Charles A. Dewey.

Dr. Charles Ayrault Dewey was born of Reverend Chester and Olivia Dewey in Rochester in 1842. He attended the University of Rochester, graduating in 1861 and studied law, passing the bar in 1863. However, he never practiced law, instead heading off to New England to enter the business world. However, after some years in business, he decided to enter medical school, doing so at Harvard University and graduating in 1880. Dr. Dewey then returned to Rochester, entering private practice with his friend, Dr. William S. Ely. He also played a leading role in the founding of Rochester General Hospital, where he was an attending physician from 1883 to his retirement in 1908. He continued working as an examiner for insurance companies until his death.

Dr. Charles Dewey never married and gave over his life to intellectual and philanthropic pursuits. He was a founder of the Fortnightly Club and active member of the Rochester Historical Society, along with membership in the Harvard Club, Monroe Medical Society and Rochester Society. He supported the Memorial Art Gallery and Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. An avid reader and noted literary mind, he was dedicated to the support of the Reynolds Library, of which he was a trustee. He also established the Dewey prize at the University of Rochester in honor of his father. On the national stage, Dr. Dewey received an honorary Doctorate of Literature from Harvard in 1924. He was also a member of the Archeological Institute of America and the Society of Colonial Wars. He passed away, aged 85, on June 13, 1927.