Newton, Byron Rufus, 1861-1938.

Byron Rufus Newton: employed by the Buffalo News, 1886-1898; in 1898 went to Cuba as an Associated Press correspondent; returned to Buffalo News, 1898-1901; in 1902 employed by New York Herald; resigned in 1910 to work for election of Woodrow Wilson; served in Democratic Party with William G. McAdoo, and as McAdoo's private secretary; appointed Collector of Customs of the Port of New York, 1917-1921; active in commerce.

From the description of Byron Rufus Newton papers, 1882-1938 (inclusive). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702168161

Byron Rufus Newton: employed by the Buffalo News, 1886-1898; in 1898 went to Cuba as an Associated Press correspondent; returned to Buffalo News, 1898-1901; in 1902 employed by New York Herald ; resigned in 1910 to work for election of Woodrow Wilson; served in Democratic Party with William G. McAdoo, and as McAdoo's private secretary; appointed Collector of Customs of the Port of New York, 1917-1921; active in commerce.

Byron R. Newton (1861-1938) was born in Alleghany County, New York, and attended Oberlin College. After his graduation, he returned to upper New York State and pursued journalism. In 1886, he was employed by the Buffalo News, for which he worked until the Spanish-American War. In the summer of 1898, he went to Cuba as an Associated Press correspondent.

Shortly after his return he was appointed to represent American newspapers at the British-American Joint High Commission session in Quebec. He continued working for the Buffalo News until he became Secretary of the Pan American Exposition in 1901.

In 1902, he accepted a position with the New York Herald . Newton was among the first to recognize the importance of the early experiments in aviation, and his interest gained much favorable publicity for this new field. Also while working for the Herald, Newton became acquainted with William Gibbs McAdoo, who was then attempting to implement his widely-ridiculed plan to build railroad tunnels under the Hudson River. Newton took McAdoo's plan seriously and reported it favorably, reversing public opinion. The two men became fast friends.

In 1910, Newton resigned his newspaper position to work for the election of Woodrow Wilson. Both Newton and McAdoo served in high posts at Democratic headquarters. After Wilson's inauguration, Newton served briefly as private secretary to McAdoo before he was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. He was appointed Collector of Customs of the Port of New York in 1917 and remained there while Wilson was in office.

During the 1920s Newton was retained first by the New York State Chamber of Commerce, then by the Anthracite Coal Operators in public relations capacities. Later in the decade he took an interest in the petroleum industry, but the nature of his involvement with it is unclear.

Byron R. Newton died in 1938.

From the guide to the Byron Rufus Newton papers, 1882-1938, (Manuscripts and Archives)