Dyer D. S. Brown Papers, 1846-1884, n.d., 1874-1884

Summary

Extent:
0.36 Cubic Feet 1 box
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Dyer D. S. Brown Papers. [box 1,folder #]. Local History and Genealogy Division, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County N.Y.

Background

Scope and content:

Dyer D. S. Brown was a Rochester, New York lawyer This collection includes incoming correspondence to Dyer D. S. Brown regarding law career, family and personal matters, and Rochester Daily Democrat business. Many letters regard his activity in politics; Brown served as a delegate to several Republican Conventions. He was also involved in the establishment of the Buffalo, Rochester, Pittsburgh Railway. Materials in the collection date between 1846 and 1884, with te bulk from 1874 to 1884.

Biographical / historical:

Dyer D. S. (Daton Stanley) Brown was a Rochester, New York lawyer, newspaperman and business leader. Born in Richmond, Ontario County, New York on June 19, 1819, he spent his youth on the family farm. After studies at Lima's Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, he went on to teach school in Caledonia, Fowlerville and Mumford from 1840 to 1844. He studies law with Benjamin F. Angel of Geneseo and Judge Willard H. Smith of Caledonia, going on to pass the bar at Albany in 1846. Brown set up a law practice at Scottsville, where he was successful. He also entered politics, first as a Democrat (appointed canal collector at Scottsville in 1847), but supporting the Free Soil ticket in 1848. He supported Pierce in 1852, and was named postmaster at Scottsville for part of that administration, but left the office when he found he could not support the administration's policies. He was an early member of the Republican party, and was elected county clerk on their ticket in 1858; he also attended the 1860 Republican national convention. When he left the clerk's office in 1862, he returned to the practice of law. From March 1863 to September 1864, he served as a paymaster in the Union Army, but was forced to resign due to illness.

His involvement with newspapers came about with the purchase of a half-interest in the Daily Democrat, effective January 1, 1865. He became sole owner on December 6, 1865. Under his leadership, the newspaper moved to Buffalo Street in 1869 and merged with the Daily Chronicle in 1870. As editor of the Daily Democrat in the late 1860s and early 1870s, Brown was a conservative Republican who some likened to Thurlow Weed. As time went on, however, he moved away from the day to day operations of the newspaper and focused on his role as president of the Rochester Printing Company.

While in his newspaper tenure, Brown attended the Republican national convention of 1868. He supported Grant, but was part of the Liberal Republican insurgency of 1872. In 1876, he supported Tilden for the presidency; while still a Republican, Brown supported Tilden due to him experience with and impression of Tilden from his time as Governor of New York. Later, Brown supported Garfield and other Republican candidates for the rest of his life.

Brown was also noted for his work in developing the State Line Railway, later known as the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh. He served on the line's Board of Directors until shortly before his death, and was vice-president for several years. An investor in western real estate, Brown's combination of interests in Minneapolis lands and in railways led to him being appointed to an 1883 commission examining part of the Northern Pacific Railroad during which time he was present at that line's golden spike ceremony. Closer to home, he was a manager of the Weestern House of Refuge (appointed by Governor Robinson in the late 1870s) and the primary financier of the construction of Scottsville's Grace Church (Episcopal).

Brown married Mary Ann Ensign, of Scottsville, on June 26, 1854. They had four children together: Selden S., Mary Lilian, Le Grand, and Roscoe C. E. Dyer D. S. Brown passed away at his home in Scottsville on January 11, 1887.

Acquisition information:
The provenance of this collection is unknown.
Arrangement:

This collection consists of 1 box.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.

Preferred citation:

Dyer D. S. Brown Papers. [box 1,folder #]. Local History and Genealogy Division, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County N.Y.

Location of this collection:
Rundel Memorial Building
115 South Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
585-428-8370
lochist@libraryweb.org