John T. Dayton, M. D. Portrait and Biographical Record, Pages 548, 549 JOHN T. DAYTON, M.D., widely known as a successful physician and skilled surgeon of Berlin, Ottawa County, Mich., is the son of Abner Dayton, a native of Vermont, and a man of fine character and professional ability. Born in 1800, the father enjoyed excellent educational advantages, and was a graduate of medicine, receiving his diploma in Castleton, Rutland County, Vt., in 1830. Later he became a leading physician of the Empire State, first locating in Rensselaer County, but afterward removing to Cayuga County and settling in Westbury, where he rapidly acquired an excellent practice, and for eight years devoted himself entirely to professional duties. From Cayuga County, the father journeyed to Allegany County, and for about eight years made his home in Wellsville. At the expiration of that time, Dr. Abner Dayton emigrated to Michigan, and remained for a short time in the village of Saline. He then settled in Sandstone, Jackson County, and resided in that locality about ten years. His last home was in Mosherville, where he remained until his death, in 1864. He passed away mourned as a friend, neighbor and physician, and left behind him the memory of a well-spent life. Dr. John T. Dayton was born in Columbia County, N.Y., in 1831, but he early removed with his parents to Cayuga County, and from there to Allegany County, in which place he received his primary education and attained to manhood. He pursued the study of his profession in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and then returned to Allegany County, where he for a time was profitably engaged in lumbering. Removing from Allegany County to Jackson County, Mich., the Doctor remained in that locality but a brief period, when he removed to Hanover, Hillsdale County, and there remained for the succeeding twelve months. Our subject finally made a permanent home in Berlin, where through storm or sunshine, until his health forbade, he went the wearying rounds incidental to the life of the family physician. He thus formed a wide acquaintance and made many friends. He is perhaps as well known in northern Ottawa as any man in the county. In 1852, Dr. John T. Dayton and Miss Martha M. Rolfe, of Allegany County, N.Y., were married. Mrs. Dayton was born in the Empire State, and her parents were widely known and highly respected by the friends and neighbors of their lifetime. Four children, all surviving, blessed the pleasant home. Charles F., married, resides in Grand Rapids; Clinton L. is a successful attorney-at-law of Leelanaw County, Mich.; Lois C. is the wife of A. U. Dickerson, of Reno, Mich.; and Delia Dayton Sackett resides in Greenfield, Tenn. Our subject bought sixty acres of his present farm soon after locating in Berlin, and now owns one hundred and eight acres, mostly wild land when purchased by the Doctor, but now, with the exception of six acres, entirely under a high state of cultivation. Conducting with highly profitable results general farming, Dr. Dayton also cultivates a variety of berries, for which he finds a ready market. Although yet in the active practice of his profession, our subject at times is unable to undergo the fatigues of the long rides to distant patients. His good wife is a valued member of the Methodist Church, and both are ever ready to lend a helping hand in behalf of religious work and enterprise. Fraternally, the Doctor has been long connected with the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and has many sincere friends among the order. Politically a Republican, he is an ardent advocate of the party, and, interested in local and National government, yet has no desire to hold office. He and his family enjoy the respect and best wishes of all who know them and worthily occupy positions of useful influence.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & Ottawa Counties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company 

Transcriber: Susan Gates Davis
Created: 13 May 2003
URL: Return to Bios Index