Short Biography of Ogden M. Willey

He graduated at Hamilton College, N. Y., 1816. Before me is his graduation thesis, written in Latin. He educated himself by his own exertions, and was accustomed to say that he was not indebted to any person a cent for his education. Soon after graduating he made a journey to the West, as far as St.Louis, and returned much disgusted with the country as he saw it. On his return he studied law, and was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of New York after his marriage, and settled in Geneseo, N. Y. He m. March 5, 1823, Abigail Belden, dau. of Elisha and Ruth (Hurlburt) Chamberlain of Dalton, Mass., who was b. there Sept. 9, 1798, and d. in G., Aug. 3, 1824; (2d) May 5, 1825, Grace Maria, dau. of John and Grace (Howard) Stanley, of G., who was b. Ap. 3, 1806. She removed to Iowa in 1855, and to California in 1876, where she lives in Gilroy with her children. He d. in G., Jan. 30, 1849, aged 56. He was a man of more than ordinary ability. Not possessing the gift of eloquence, he did not shine as an advocate at the bar; but for knowledge of the law and soundness in cousel he was the equal of his brethrn in the profession, and was considered "the end of the law" in his county. Life-long ill health, caused by early application to study, a want of ambition, and perhaps a very strict conscientiousness, prevented his attaining the position in professional and public life to which his talents would have entitled him. The religious element was strong in him. He was a member of the 1st Presbyterian ch. in G., a regular attendant on its services, and a strict observer of the Sabbath. For a long series of years he had family worship every morning, at which a chapter of the Bible was read, each of the children, as they grew old enough, reading a verse in turn; in this way the Bible was read through more than once before the separation of the family; and the children were required to commit to memory passages from it, enjoining moral duties. But there is reason to believe that he modified the rigor of his doctrinal belief before he died, although he was not disposed to converse on the subject. He family discipline was strict, and sometimes severe. He never conversed with his children about the incidents of his early life, but he had an earnest desire for their welfare, and gave them the best education his means would afford; and they entertain a sincere respect for his memory, mixed with a regret that there had not been more freedom and confidence in their mutual intercourse. With all his external seriousness he had a large share of with and humor, and could turn a bit of verse neatly upon occasion. He was for many years Clerk of the Board of Supervisors of Livingston County, and for a quater of a century was every four years chosen a Justice of the Peace of the town of Geneseo. In 1837, while on a journey East for his health, he visited his native town, and made some memoranda concerning the history of the family.

Source: "Isaac Willey of New London, Conn., and His Descendants" ⁶¹⁵³