The Dusenbury Family
Henry and Caroline Butler Dusenbury had seven children who, like their parents before them,
contributed greatly to the communities in which they lived. The boys, all raised with their father’s
astute business sense, would inherit the family lumber and mercantile business, upon the death of
their father in 1860. Their mother would pass away ten years later in 1870. Unfortunately, Henry
and Caroline did not live long enough to be rewarded with the most significant accomplishments of
their children. They did not all remain in Portville, though, after leaving their parents’ home on the
hill, at 65 Temple Street. Two of the girls married very well and their lives with their husbands and
children took them to other places. The family business would also demand the Dusenburys’
attention in other locales, such as Forest County, Pennsylvania. Whether they stayed near Portville
or not, the second generation of Portville Dusenburys certainly left their marks, as they made their
way in the world.
contributed greatly to the communities in which they lived. The boys, all raised with their father’s
astute business sense, would inherit the family lumber and mercantile business, upon the death of
their father in 1860. Their mother would pass away ten years later in 1870. Unfortunately, Henry
and Caroline did not live long enough to be rewarded with the most significant accomplishments of
their children. They did not all remain in Portville, though, after leaving their parents’ home on the
hill, at 65 Temple Street. Two of the girls married very well and their lives with their husbands and
children took them to other places. The family business would also demand the Dusenburys’
attention in other locales, such as Forest County, Pennsylvania. Whether they stayed near Portville
or not, the second generation of Portville Dusenburys certainly left their marks, as they made their
way in the world.
| The Portville Historical and Preservation Society |
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| 17 Maple Avenue Portville, NY 14770 www.portvillehistory.org |
Portville, New York
The eldest daughter, Catharine Butler Dusenbury,
was born on December 5, 1829, in Deposit,
Delaware County, New York. She married Allan
Shelden, who was born on July 16, 1832, in
Kinderhook, N. Y. Shelden was, at one time, a
wholesale merchant and later became a banker.
They had one son, Henry Dusenbury “Harry”
Shelden (1862-1941). Sheldon’s banking business
took them to Detroit, Michigan, where they raised
their son and lived for most of their married life.
Catharine died on October 16, 1916, in Gross
Pointe Shores, Michigan. Her husband
predeceased her in 1905.
was born on December 5, 1829, in Deposit,
Delaware County, New York. She married Allan
Shelden, who was born on July 16, 1832, in
Kinderhook, N. Y. Shelden was, at one time, a
wholesale merchant and later became a banker.
They had one son, Henry Dusenbury “Harry”
Shelden (1862-1941). Sheldon’s banking business
took them to Detroit, Michigan, where they raised
their son and lived for most of their married life.
Catharine died on October 16, 1916, in Gross
Pointe Shores, Michigan. Her husband
predeceased her in 1905.
Catharine Butler Dusenbury Shelden
The second child, a daughter, was born on February 27, 1832, in Deposit. She was named Sarah
Elizabeth and was known as “Elizabeth” and "Lib." Rev. John Heyl Vincent had first heard of
Elizabeth through members of a class and when he visited the Dusenbury home, they immediately
developed a mutual admiration of each other. They were soon married in Portville on November 10,
1858. Elizabeth's love of books had led her to teach, a career that complemented his work and
helped him realize his dream. Sadly, her parents, who tried to discourage her from a life of teaching,
would not live to see their unprecedented success. In 1874, Vincent, with his partner, Lewis Miller,
cofounded the Chautauqua Institute. Begun as a religious education facility, Elizabeth’s influence
broadened the scope of the institute to include a more diverse curriculum for adult learning, including
music and art. Vincent was appointed Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church from 1888 to
1920. They had one son, George Edgar, who became an educator as well. He was the president of
University of Minnesota, and later became president of the Rockefeller Foundation. Elizabeth Vincent
passed away in 1909 and Bishop Vincent followed many years later in 1920. Their busy lives took
them to many different places, but their family ties brought them back to Portville in the end and they
are buried not too far from her parents in the Chestnut Hill Cemetery. George Vincent (1864-1941)
and his wife, Louise Palmer Vincent (1865-1953), were also interred in the family plot.
Elizabeth and was known as “Elizabeth” and "Lib." Rev. John Heyl Vincent had first heard of
Elizabeth through members of a class and when he visited the Dusenbury home, they immediately
developed a mutual admiration of each other. They were soon married in Portville on November 10,
1858. Elizabeth's love of books had led her to teach, a career that complemented his work and
helped him realize his dream. Sadly, her parents, who tried to discourage her from a life of teaching,
would not live to see their unprecedented success. In 1874, Vincent, with his partner, Lewis Miller,
cofounded the Chautauqua Institute. Begun as a religious education facility, Elizabeth’s influence
broadened the scope of the institute to include a more diverse curriculum for adult learning, including
music and art. Vincent was appointed Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church from 1888 to
1920. They had one son, George Edgar, who became an educator as well. He was the president of
University of Minnesota, and later became president of the Rockefeller Foundation. Elizabeth Vincent
passed away in 1909 and Bishop Vincent followed many years later in 1920. Their busy lives took
them to many different places, but their family ties brought them back to Portville in the end and they
are buried not too far from her parents in the Chestnut Hill Cemetery. George Vincent (1864-1941)
and his wife, Louise Palmer Vincent (1865-1953), were also interred in the family plot.
Sarah Elizabeth Dusenbury Vincent
The third child of Henry and Caroline Dusenbury, Henry B., was born on April 4, 1834, in Deposit,
N. Y. He had barely reached adulthood when he passed away in 1856 at only 22 years old.
N. Y. He had barely reached adulthood when he passed away in 1856 at only 22 years old.
Henry B. Dusenbury
Catharine Dusenbury Shelden
Allan Shelden
Their son, Harry Shelden
| Mrs. Harry Shelden (nee Caroline Annette Alger) |
Sarah Elizabeth Vincent
Bishop John Heyl Vincent
George and his mother, Elizabeth Vincent, share their love of reading
Their son, George Edgar Vincent