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Daniel A. Driscoll

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Daniel A. Driscoll
1939 black and white photo of Buffalo, New York postmaster standing at a podium while giving a speech
Driscoll at the 1939 dedication of the new post office in Harrison, New York
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from New York
In office
March 4, 1909 – March 3, 1917
Preceded byWilliam H. Ryan
Succeeded byWilliam F. Waldow
Constituency35th district (1909–13)
42nd district (1913–17)
Postmaster of Buffalo, New York
In office
February 15, 1934 – February 27, 1947
Preceded byRobert W. Gallagher
Succeeded byJohn M. Keyes
Personal details
Born(1875-03-06)March 6, 1875
Buffalo, New York, US
DiedJune 5, 1955(1955-06-05) (aged 80)
Buffalo, New York, US
Resting placeHoly Cross Cemetery, Lackawanna, New York, US
Political partyDemocratic
OccupationFuneral home director

Daniel Angelus Driscoll (March 6, 1875 – June 5, 1955) was an American businessman and politician from Buffalo, New York. A partner in a successful family-owned funeral home, Driscoll later became involved in other business ventures including a brewery. A Democrat, Driscoll served four terms as a U.S. Representative from 1909 to 1917. In 1934, he was appointed as postmaster of Buffalo, and he served until 1947.

Early life

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Daniel A. Driscoll was born in Buffalo, New York on March 6, 1875, a son of Timothy Driscoll and Catherine Blanche Driscoll.[1] He completed his elementary education at School 35 in 1891[2] and later graduated from Central High School.[3] Driscoll was active in the funeral home begun by his father, Timothy Driscoll & Sons,[4] which was later operated by Driscoll and his brothers as Timothy Driscoll's Sons.[5][6]

Driscoll was also active in several civic and fraternal organizations, including leadership roles with the Ancient Order of Hibernians.[7] In addition, he took part in many Catholic church activities, including taking on leadership positions on various charity committees.[8][9]

Early career

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Driscoll was active in politics as a Democrat from an early age; in June 1898, he was elected secretary of local party meeting that chose delegates to that year's state party convention.[10] In September 1899, he was a candidate for the New York State Assembly nomination at the Erie County 4th district Democratic convention.[11] In November 1900, he was one of the organizers of the Jefferson Club of Erie County, which was formed by Democrats who desired to promote the party's ideals while avoiding the internal strife taking place among the party's various factions.[12]

In 1903, Driscoll's supporters formed an organization to promote his political prospects, the Daniel A. Driscoll Association.[13] In 1904, his supporters again campaigned unsuccessfully to obtain him the state assembly nomination at that year's Democratic district convention, an effort that ceased when Driscoll publicly disclaimed any interest.[14]

Congress

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In 1906, Driscoll was a candidate for the Democratic nomination to represent New York's 35th congressional district; he withdrew in favor of incumbent William H. Ryan, who went on to win the general election.[15]

In August 1908, Driscoll was again a candidate for the U.S. House; when it became clear that Driscoll had enough convention votes to obtain the nomination, Ryan withdrew.[16] Driscoll won the November general election, defeating Republican L. Bradley Dorr and three minor party candidates. He succeeded Ryan on March 4, 1909.[17]

Driscoll was reelected in 1910, 1912, and 1914.[18] In 1916, he was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection.[18] As a member of the U.S. House, Driscoll served on the Rivers and Harbors Committee.[19] He used this post to secure funding for numerous improvements to New York's ports and waterways, including expansion and maintenance of the Port of Buffalo, as well as deepening shipping channels in the Hudson River and Lake Champlain.[20]

Later life

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After leaving Congress, Driscoll resumed his rile with the Driscoll family funeral business.[21] In addition, he became active in other ventures, including organizing and serving as president of Buffalo's Phoenix Brewery.[21] In 1934, he was appointed postmaster of Buffalo, and he continued to serve until retiring in 1947.[21] Driscoll was a member of the National Association of Postmasters, Elks, Moose, Buffalo Club, Buffalo Athletic Club, Park Club, Erie Downs Country Club, and Knights of Columbus.[21]

In retirement, Driscoll continued to reside in Buffalo.[21] Driscoll was a lifelong bachelor; he never married and had no children.[21] He died in Buffalo on 5 June 1955.[21] Driscoll was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Lackawanna.[21]

Election history

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U.S. House of Representatives, New York's 35th congressional district, 1908[17]

U.S. House of Representatives, New York's 35th congressional district, 1910[22]

  • Daniel A. Driscoll, Democratic/Independence League: 21,727
  • Patrick J. Keeler, Republican: 14,605
  • Samuel F. Leary, Socialist: 1,713
  • Josph A. Dixon, Prohibition: 128

U.S. House of Representatives, New York's 42nd congressional district, 1912[23]

  • Daniel A. Driscoll, Democratic: 14,851
  • Willard H. Ticknor, Republican: 8.613
  • L. Bradley Dorr, National Progressive: 7,161
  • Samuel Leary, Socialist: 1,613
  • Vernon M. Stone, Prohibition: 259

U.S. House of Representatives, New York's 42nd congressional district, 1914[24]

  • Daniel A. Driscoll, Democratic: 13,081
  • Willard H. Ticknor, Republican: 12,633
  • John J. Smith, Progressive:1,265
  • Adam Sebenck, Socialist: 688

U.S. House of Representatives, New York's 42nd congressional district, 1916[25]

  • William F. Waldow, Republican/National Progressive: 16,623
  • Daniel A. Driscoll, Democratic: 15,411
  • Samuel Fawkes, Socialist: 580
  • Blank, scattering, void: 4,484

References

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  1. ^ Marquis, Albert Nelson, ed. (1912). Who's Who In America. Vol. VII. Chicago: A. N. Marquis. p. 596 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "At School No. 35". The Buffalo Express. Buffalo, New York. 20 June 1891. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Davis, Clyde B. (7 January 1934). "Driscoll Once Quit Congress Due to High Cost of Politics". The Buffalo Times. Buffalo, New York. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Hill, Henry Wayland, ed. (1923). Municipality of Buffalo, New York: A History, 1720–1923. Vol. IV. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company. p. 246 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ "Heart Attack Fatal to Dr. W. S. Driscoll". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. 17 April 1931. p. 46 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ The National Directory of Morticians. Vol. N. Youngstown, Ohio: National Directory of Morticians (Registered). 1949. p. 312 – via Internet Archive.
  7. ^ "A. O. H." Catholic Union and Times. Buffalo, New York. 16 December 1897. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Social Register: Managers for Mid-Winter Charity Ball". The Buffalo Commercial. Buffalo, New York. 14 December 1903. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Calico Party". The Buffalo Illustrated Times. Buffalo, New York. 17 January 1904. p. 35 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Ramsperger, Walkowiak and Stricker". The Buffalo Times. Buffalo, New York. 8 June 1898. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Is A Lively Contest". The Buffalo Courier. Buffalo, New York. 17 September 1899. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Jefferson Club Formed". The Buffalo Times. Buffalo, New York. 23 November 1900. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "All Day Outing". The Buffalo Enquirer. Buffalo, New York. 31 August 1903. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Spreading False Information". The Buffalo Courier. Buffalo, New York. 13 May 1904. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Hon. W. H. Ryan Renominated for Congress". The Buffalo Times. Buffalo, New York. 3 October 1906. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Driscoll Is Nominated By Democrats". The Buffalo Times. Buffalo, New York. 26 August 1908. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ a b Murlin, Edgar (1910). The New York Red Book. Albany, New York: J. B. Lyon Company. p. 647 – via Google Books.
  18. ^ a b Joint Committee on Printing, United States Congress (1950). Biographical Directory of the American Congress. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 1103 – via Google Books.
  19. ^ Committee on Rivers and Harbors, US House of Representatives (6 January 1917). Hearings on the Subject of the Improvement of Boston Harbor, Mass. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 1 – via Google Books.
  20. ^ "Vote for Daniel A. Driscoll, Democratic Primary, September 28, 1914". The Buffalo Enquirer. Buffalo, New York. 21 September 1914. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h "Daniel A. Driscoll Dies at 80; Postmaster Here for 13 Years". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. 7 June 1955. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ Murlin, Edgar L. (1911). The New York Red Book. Albany, New York: J. B. Lyon Company. p. 642 – via Google Books.
  23. ^ Murlin, Edgar L. (1913). New York Red Book. Albany, New York: J. B. Lyon Company. p. 675 – via Google Books.
  24. ^ Langland, James (1915). The Chicago Daily News Almanac and Year-Book for 1916. Chiacgo: The Chicago Daily News Company. p. 513 – via Google Books.
  25. ^ Malcolm, James, ed. (1918). New York Red Book. Albany, New York: J. B. Lyon Company. p. 468 – via Google Books.
[edit]
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 35th congressional district
1909–1913 		Succeeded by
New district Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 42nd congressional district
1913–1917 		Succeeded by
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