Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY, ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Portville - Chapter XLIII (43)
“John E. DUSENBURY was born in Portville, then a part of Olean, June 10, 1836.  He received a practical business education from his father and an academic education at Binghamton Academy. He was early taught that honest labor is man's mission in life.  He commenced his active business life as a merchant, the successor of DUSENBURY, WHEELER & Co.  He inherited many of the characteristics of his father which brought financial success to his business  undertakings and at his death was specially fitted to take his place in the operations of this firm.  Mr. DUSENBURY appointed his sons John E. and William A. executors and trustees of his estate, and the business has continued uninterruptedly to the present with but a change in name of firm.  This now includes John E. and Edgar G. DUSENBURY (sons of Henry DUSENBURY) and Nelson P. and William E. WHEELER (sons of Hon. William F. WHEELER).  Their business consists of lumbering operations near Portville and in Pennsylvania, development of their oil territory, and in tanning.  John E. DUSENBURY is an able financier.  He was vice-president of the First National Bank of Olean until June, 18912 when he succeeded Hon. William F. WHEELER as president.  He is a real estate manager, an oil producer, and a general adviser in manifold business affairs.  As a recreation he is breeding trotting horses of the finest strains to be obtained in the United States.  Mr. DUSENBURY has been an unswerving Republican all his political life, has served his town on the Board of Supervisors ten years, and taken prominent part in numerous conventions.  He is an industrious, persevering, and successful manufacturer, a courteous gentleman, a genial companion and friend, deserves and enjoys a large circle of appreciative acquaintance, and ranks worthily among the representative men of Cattaraugus county.”

The town of Portville was formed from Olean, April 27, 1837

At age 24 he took over family business when father died.
Founded Olean Bank in 1871 with William F. Wheeler, became president in 1892 when Wheeler died.
Retired in 1912 after being an invalid for 10 years.
Member of Board of Education. Republican.
Kept trotting horses.
Lived in parents “house on the hill”.