He served as Steuben County Tax Collector in 1851. He left Steuben County (and probably New York State) sometime before 1871. In the probate papers of his sister, Mercy, in that year, he is listed as "residence unknown." (Letter from James E. Hope, Steuben County Historical Society, 1980.)
According to his military grave marker, he served as a sgt. in the 3d Btty, Iowa Light Artillery (which was formed in Dubuque, Sep 1861). Apparently [see Source #1 notes], David went to join his relatives in Iowa before the War, but returned to upper New York state sometime afterwards.