The Dempster family of Gloversville, New York, are descendants of an ancient Scotch family whose ancestral seat was near Edinburg. The head of the present family and the American ancestor was Rev. James Dempster, a Scotch minister of note, who withdrew from the established church, and joining with the Wesleys (founders of Methodism) came to the United States. He settled in the town of Florida, Montgomery county, New York, where he died and is buried. He married and had three sons, James, John, Joel, and a daughter Pamelia. John was a noted missionary and the first Methodist missionary to the Argentine Republic. He afterwards was instrumental in founding the great Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois.
(II) Joel, son of Rev. James Dempster, was born in Edinburg, Scotland, and came to the United States, settling in Fulton county, New York, where he was a man of prominence. He was twice married; his first wife was a Murdock; his second Lois Spaulding, who bore him David Spaulding, Delos C., Julia E. and Jane.
(III) David Spaulding, eldest son of Joel and Lois (Spaulding) Dempster, was born in Lasselville [Lassellsville?], Fulton county, New York, March 31, 1845, died in Gloversville, New York, February 26, 1907. He secured his early education in the public schools, finishing at Fulton Academy, Fulton, New York, where he took an advanced course. After completing his studies he became a traveling salesman for local glove-making firms. In January, 1879, in company with George Place, he organized the firm of Dempster & Place, and began in a small way the manufacture of gloves, on the corner of Main and First avenues, Gloversville, where they remained eight years. In January, 1888, their business had so grown that they moved into the three-story brick property on Bleecker street, which they had previously erected and equipped for a modern glove factory. The firm manufactured a general line of light and heavy buckskin gloves, and a line of fine kid gloves. They prospered and obtained a firm footing in the trade. Since the death of Mr. Dempster, his wife has capably filled his place in the firm, which still continues a prosperous career as Dempster & Place. Mr. Dempster, while always solicitous for the welfare of his city, and generous in his support of all public enterprises, was never connected with political affairs. His public service was confined to the board of water commissioners, of which he was president. He was a director of the Manufacturers Bank, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a Methodist in religion. He was a man of fine business ability, upright and honorable in his business affairs, and held in the highest esteem.
He married Sarah J., born February 12, 1856, daughter of Willard and Ellen (Putman) Brownell, and granddaughter of James and Rhoda (Rose) Brownell. Ellen Putman was a daughter of Ralph and Jane (Voorhees) Putman. Ralph Putman was a son of Lewis; he married Mary Schenck; her father was Ralph Schenck; he was in the revolutionary war, and was in the battle of Monmouth, and others; he married Ann Taylor. Willard and Ellen (Putman) Brownell had three children:
- Anstress, married Henry Knoff, and had Sarah and Miriam.
- Sarah J., married David Spaulding Dempster.
- Charles, unmarried; an extensive ranch owner in southern California.
Children of David Spaulding and Sarah J. (Brownell) Dempster:
- Willard J., born June 18, 1877; educated in the public schools and at a preparatory school in Massachusetts, after which he went west, locating at Los Angeles, California, owning and operating an orange grove; also a director in the Automatic Signal Light Company of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
- Rena L., March 15, 1879, died at the age of sixteen months.
- David Dudley, born July 29, 1884, was educated in the public school and at a preparatory school at Williston, Northampton, Massachusetts; he had recently returned from a trip around the world when he died October 22, 1907.
- Dorothy, September 9, 1902.
Mrs. David S. Dempster survives her husband and continues her residence in Gloversville. She is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and active in social, benevolent and educational work. For eight years she has been a member of the school board of Gloversville; is a member of the hospital board of directors, and of the Young Women's Christian Association; also actively engaged in church work.