Daniel Cady was born on April 29, 1773; descended from Nicholas Cady, who, coming probably from Suffolk, England, settled at Watertown, Massachussets, in 1630. Fourth in the direct line from Nicholas, Eleazer Cady, a Connecticut farmer, married Tryphena, daughter of John Beebe of Kent, Connecticut. They moved to Columbia County, New York, and their son Daniel was born at Chatham (Canaan) in that county.
Education
He was educated at the public schools and worked on his father's farm. Later he was apprenticed to a shoemaker, but in 1791 through an accident at the bench lost the sight of one eye. He thereupon became a school-teacher, at the same time studying law at Canaan, and in 1794 entered an Albany law office.
Career
He was admitted as an attorney in 1795, "having worn a pair of boots of his own manufacture at the time of his examination". He commenced practise at Florida, Montgomery County, but at the end of a year removed to Johnstown, the county seat, being admitted as a counsellor in 1798. A Federalist in politics, he was elected to the state legislature in 1808, being reelected in 1809, 1811, 1812, and 1813. For one term, March 4, 1815, to March 3, 1817, he was representative in Congress for Montgomery County, but did not make any mark in the political field, and thereafter devoted his attention to his law practise.
In his early years at the bar he had become favorably known as an advocate, and in 1812 had distinguished himself in the trial of Solomon Southwick for attempting to bribe the speaker of the New York Assembly to vote for the incorporation of the Bank of North America, appearing for the defense in association with Aaron Burr and procuring an acquittal. Later on he came to the front as an "ejectment lawyer. "
He specialized in equity and real property law with its accompanying technicalities and ancient learning, and, practising in a neighborhood where titles were always involved and frequently litigated, acquired a large and lucrative business.
Among his clients were the heirs of Sir William Johnson, who were contemplating action against the Government in regard to the confiscation of their ancestor's extensive estate. "He had no patience with the digest-mongers and book-manufacturers of the day, " but invariably went to the fountainhead, reading Coke upon Littleton, Fearne on Contingent Remainders, and Shepard's Touchstone. Always interested in agricultural problems, he invested largely in wild land contiguous to Johnstown, and expended much time and money in experiments in reclamation and cultivation. In 1847, when seventy-four years old, he was elected an associate judge of the supreme court of New York, as organized under the state constitution of 1846, there being at that date no age limit on officeholders. In 1849 he was reelected for a term of eight years, and retained his seat on the bench till December 31, 1854, when he resigned, owing to his hearing having become seriously impaired.
As a judge he was capable, dignified, and conscientiously painstaking, but had little scope for exhibiting his peculiar learning. Despite his age, his intellectual vigor remained undiminished, and he enjoyed to a remarkable degree the confidence and esteem of the community. "He was more than once retained, after his judicial career was finished, merely to look virtuous; to say nothing and to do nothing but to nod assent to all his associate might say, and wag a vigorous dissent from all the opposition might utter" (Irving Browne, post).
He died at Johnstown, October 31, 1859, having shortly prior thereto become totally blind.
Achievements
Politics
Cady was elected as a Federalist to the 14th United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1815, to March 3, 1817. He was not a candidate for renomination and after serving in the U. S. Congress, returned to the practice of law.
Membership
Cady was elected as a member of the New York State Assembly in 1808, serving three consecutive terms in the 32nd, 33rd and 34th New York State Legislatures beginning on July 1, 1808 and continuing until June 30, 1811.
Personality
Somewhat paradoxically he had inherited a strain of Puritan narrowness, and in his everyday contacts was "secretive and taciturn to an extraordinary degree".
Cady's remarkable knowledge of all the intricacies of the most difficult branch of the law was in great measure due to his method of study.
Connections
On July 8, 1801, Cady was married to Margaret Livingston (1785–1871), the daughter of Col. James Livingston, an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolution who fought at Saratoga and Quebec, and assisted in the capture of Major John Andre at West Point. Five of their children died in early childhood or infancy. A sixth child, a son named Eleazar, died at age 20 just before his graduation from Union College in Schenectady, New York. Only five daughters lived well into adulthood and old age.