David T. Slater, general merchant of Hensonville, in the town of Windham, Greene County, N. Y., in Jewett, July 24, 1839, son of Hugh and Sally (Woodworth) Slater. His parents were natives of Greene County, his father having been born in Cairo, and his mother in Hunter.
His paternal grandfather, Elihu Slater, who was born in Connecticut, came to Cairo as a pioneer, built a log cabin, cleared a farm, and tilled the soil during his active period. Grandfather Slater died at the age of seventy-three; and his wife, Sally Beach Slater, who was the mother of a large family, died at seventy-two years of age. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Hugh Slater, father of David T., was reared on a farm in Cairo, and resided there until twenty-one years old. He then went to Jewett, where he followed the occupation of a farmer until his death, which occurred at seventy-two years of age. In politics he was a Democrat until 1856, when he became a Republican, his views having changed on the slavery question. He held several town offices. His wife, Sally, was a daughter of Lemuel Woodworth, a prosperous farmer of this section. Four of the five children born to them are living, namely: David T., the subject of this sketch; Mary, who married Henry Whitcomb; Lydia, who became the wife of Anson R. Mott; and Dayton, who is a druggist in Hunter. The mother, Mrs. Sally Woodworth Slater, died at seventy-one.
David T. Slater began his education in Jewett, and completed his studies at Ashland Seminary. At the age of twenty-six he went to Cairo, where he followed farming and ran a saw-mill for six years, at the end of which time he sold his property and came to Hensonville. Purchasing an interest in a general store, he was a partner in the concern for twenty-two years, then becoming sole proprietor of the establishment. He conducts a thriving business here, carrying a large stock of dry goods, groceries, clothing, boots and shoes, patent medicine, hats, caps, and other wares.
In 1864 Mr. Slater was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Winter, daughter of Harrison Winter, of Jewett. They have had eight children, four of whom survive — Jonathan, Lilian, Dayton, and Eva. Jonathan married Laura Sherer. He is a minister of the gospel in Brooklyn, N. Y. Lilian is a pupil at a seminary in New York City, and the others are also attending school.
Since 1884 Mr. Slater has acted with the Prohibition party, and has been Inspector of Elections. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, has been class leader, and also superintendent of the Sunday-school.