Program

NYS Historic

Subject

House, People

Location

149 North St, Auburn, NY 13021, USA

Lat/Long

42.941446284403, -76.566978930369

Grant Recipient

City of Auburn

Charles Chauncey Dwight was born in Berkshire County, Massachusetts on September 15^th, 1830. At just 16, Dwight entered Williams College and went on to graduate from this institution with a B.A. in 1850. A few years later, he graduated from Albany Law School and was admitted to practice law in the New York State Supreme Court system. In 1854, Dwight opened a law office and became a resident of Auburn, NY. Charles C. Dwight soon became a prominent community member and was elected Cayuga County judge in 1859.

When the nation erupted in a Civil War in 1861, Dwight resigned from his position to serve in the Union Army. He quickly rose through the ranks and became colonel of the 160^th Regiment of New York Volunteers. After four years of service, Dwight returned to his practice and was soon appointed district attorney of Cayuga County. He also went on to serve as a member of the constitutional convention and aided in revising the state constitution in 1867.

A year later, Governor Fenton, appointed Dwight to the New York State Supreme Court in place of a justice that had recently died. When his term of service expired in 1869, Dwight was elected as a justice on the same court. Judge Dwight was very well-liked and was re-elected twice more. During his time as a judge, he served eight years in the general term, six years as a presiding judge, and about two years in the Court of Appeals. Dwight served until 1901, when he reached the age limit posted in the constitution. Dwight’s legal acumen is illustrated in an excerpt from his obituary: “His uprightedness of character, clear judicial mind, strong discriminating faculties and uniform impartial demeanor in the performance of all his duties, won for Judge Dwight the highest regard of all members of the State judiciary and bar” (“Judge Dwight Dead,” 1902).

Dwight married Emma Munro of Camillus, NY in 1869. Two years later, the Dwights moved into a home at 149 North St. in Auburn. Charles C. Dwight lived at this home until his death in 1902. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.

Sources:

Judge Dwight Dead. (1902, April 11). Auburn Argus.