Lewis P. Dayton Explained

Lewis P. Dayton
Office1:Mayor of Buffalo, New York
Term Start1:1874
Term End1:1875
Predecessor1:Alexander Brush
Successor1:Philip Becker
State Assembly2:New York
District2:Erie County's 3rd
Term Start2:January 1, 1868
Term End2:December 31, 1868
Preceded2:Roswell L. Burrows
Succeeded2:James A. Chase
Office3:County Clerk of Erie County
Term Start3:1865
Term End3:1867
Birth Date:1821
Birth Place:Eden, New York, U.S.
Residence:Dayton House
Death Place:Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Alma Mater:Geneva Medical College
Spouse:
    Children:4

    Lewis P. Dayton (1821 – May 14, 1900) was Mayor of the City of Buffalo, New York, serving from 1874 to 1875.[1]

    Early life

    Dayton was born at Eden, New York on the family farm in 1821. He was one of nine children born to John G. Dayton and Hannah B. Dayton.

    He studied medicine in the office of Dr. Timothy T. Lockwood and moved to Buffalo. He graduated in 1846 from the Geneva Medical College, in Geneva, New York.[2]

    Career

    He returned to Buffalo as a physician in the Black Rock section.[2]

    He was first elected an alderman from the 12th Ward in 1855. He was Erie County Clerk from 1865 to 1867. He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Erie Co., 3rd D.) in 1868. In 1868, Dayton was appointed to the first Board of Park Commissioners and was chosen health physician for the City in 1871. On November 4, 1873, Dayton was elected mayor as the Democratic candidate. He did not seek a second term and retired to his private medical practice.

    Personal life

    Around 1846, he married Grace Webster Holley (1828–1865), who died at a young age. Dayton first remarried Mrs. Alice Maud Hayes (1842–1873), who died about a year after their marriage, then in 1892, he married Margaret Vogt (1855–1930).[3] He was the father of four children, including:

    He died on May 14, 1900, and was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery His brain was preserved in alcohol, possibly for medical research.[3]

    The Dayton House that Lewis P. Dayton lived in while residing in Black Rock, is located at 243 Dearborn Street. This home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.[4]

    Notes and References

    1. Book: Rizzo, Michael. Through The Mayors' Eyes. 2005. Lulu. 978-1-4116-3757-3. 424.
    2. Web site: Dr. Lewis P. Dayton – Olmsted In Buffalo. olmstedinbuffalo.com. May 14, 2018.
    3. Web site: Lewis P. Dayton. May 27, 2009. Through The Mayor's Eyes, The Only Complete History of the Mayor's of Buffalo, New York, Compiled by Michael Rizzo. The Buffalonian is produced by The Peoples History Union.
    4. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Listings. November 18, 2011. Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 11/07/11 through 11/10/11. National Park Service.