Lewis P. Dayton

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

Lewis P. Dayton
Portrait of Lewis P. Dayton
31st Mayor of Buffalo, New York
In office 1874–1875
Preceded by	Alexander Brush
Succeeded by	Philip Becker
Member of the New York State Assembly from the Erie County, 3rd district
In office January 1, 1868 – December 31, 1868
Preceded by	Roswell L. Burrows
Succeeded by	James A. Chase
Personal details
Born	1821 Eden, New York
Died	May 14, 1900 Buffalo, New York
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Grace Webster Holley ​ ​ (m. 1846; died 1865)​ Mrs. Alice Maud Hayes ​ ​ (died 1873)​ Margaret Vogt ​ ​ (m. 1892; his death 1900)​
Children	4
Residence	Dayton House
Alma mater	Geneva Medical College

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.[2]

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:

• Myron Holley Dayton (1849–1855), who died young.
• Clare Dayton (1851–1855), who died young.
• Jennie L. Dayton (1858–1940), who married Charles J. Vogt (1858–1924), the brother of his third wife.

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]

References

1. Rizzo, Michael (2005). Through The Mayors' Eyes. Lulu. p. 424. ISBN 978-1-4116-3757-3.
2. "Dr. Lewis P. Dayton – Olmsted In Buffalo". olmstedinbuffalo.com. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
3. "Lewis P. Dayton". 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. 2009-05-27.
4. "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 11/07/11 through 11/10/11. National Park Service. 2011-11-18.