Fourth from Right, West Side: Cogswell/Dana

This narrow lancet was a painted scene that represented a father, mother, and teen-aged daughter who are walking companionably across a grey stone terrace, partly under the shadows of an overhanging palm tree etched against a bright blue sky. The near background of green shrubbery blended well with the ridge of rolling hills in the distance. When the noonday sun shone over the rooftop of the Parish House next door, its rays first diffused themselves through the glittering yellow-to gold-to deep orange mosaics of the traceries above. This was then reflected in a shaft of golden light upon the mother’s white-scarfed head, her white lined green cape, and onto the golden haired daughter who walked close beside with her an arm affectionately about her mother’s shoulders. As the sun's rays illumined the lower section, it brought out the brilliance of the red urn which the daughter held against her bright blue robe. Even the dark orange-brown garments of the father – who stood a little to the left and back of the mother – lost drabness and became a pleasing part of the scene. The unusually bright colors in this window were wonderfully softened by the lights reflected through its two borders of yellow, brown and cream mosaics: the narrower, which framed the glass window, and the wider against the outside mahogany enclosure. In the two framed captions below were the names of “Cogswell” and “Dana,” respectively. The window was the gift of William Barnes Cogswell in memory of his father, mother and only sister, Cordelia, who married George Dana.

David Cogswell was one of the most active and prominent early citizens of Syracuse, having arrived in 1842 from Auburn, New York, where he was born March 12, 1808. With him came his wife, Mary Barnes Cogswell, formerly of Ashford, Kent, England, his six year old son, William, and his four year old daughter, Cordelia. David was as a Master Mason and Builder and was one who understood his business; he was industrious, energetic, honest, and honorable in all his dealings. He built one of the most beautiful and substantial homes of that era, located on the southwest corner of James and Lodi Streets. By the time he had settled his family he had the confidence and respect of the community.

George N. Dana was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, February 8, 1834; he attended local schools and entered Harvard at the age of sixteen, graduating in 1854. He began the study of Law, but after sixteen months decided against it as a career and entered business with his father in Lowell. Later he served as City Councilor. In 1862 he was engaged as Civilian Quartermaster in Department of U.S. Army. He married Cordelia Cogswell, daughter of David and Mary Barnes Cogswell of Syracuse, October 8, 1863. After he resigned from the Army, he and his family took up residence in Syracuse. After a few happy years in Syracuse, Cordelia was stricken ill and died in 1870, leaving two daughters. In politics he was a republican; he was Police Commissioner of Syracuse, 1888-1892.