Charles Dayan

Charles Dayan (July 8, 1792 – December 25, 1877) was an American lawyer and politician who served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives from the state of New York from 1831 to 1833. A member of the Jackson Party, or Jacksonian faction, he participated in the legislative process during a significant period in American history, representing the interests of his New York constituents in the early years of the Jacksonian era.

Dayan received his early education at Lowville Academy in Lowville, New York. After completing his studies there, he remained in the field of education for a time and became a teacher. His early professional life in Lowville established the local connections that would underpin his later legal and political career.

During the War of 1812, Dayan entered military service and was commissioned a lieutenant colonel, reflecting an early assumption of leadership responsibilities. Following the war, he turned to the study of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1817 and commenced legal practice in Lowville, New York. His law practice, combined with his military background and local prominence, provided the foundation for his entry into state politics.

Dayan’s political career began in the New York State Senate, where he represented the 5th District from 1827 to 1828. He sat in the 50th and 51st New York State Legislatures. During this period, he rose to a position of particular responsibility when he served as President pro tempore of the State Senate and Acting Lieutenant Governor of New York from October 17 to December 31, 1828. Also in 1828, he served as a presidential elector, casting his votes for Andrew Jackson for President and John C. Calhoun for Vice President, aligning himself firmly with the emerging Jacksonian Democratic movement.

At the national level, Dayan was elected as a Jacksonian to the 22nd United States Congress. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from March 4, 1831, to March 3, 1833. As a member of the Jackson Party representing New York, he contributed to the legislative process during his single term in office, participating in the democratic process at a time marked by debates over federal power, economic policy, and the expansion of democratic participation. His service in Congress occurred during a transformative period in American political life, coinciding with the presidency of Andrew Jackson.

After leaving Congress, Dayan continued his involvement in state and local government. He was a member of the New York State Assembly representing Lewis County in 1835 and 1836, returning to Albany to participate in legislative deliberations at the state level. From 1840 to 1845, he served as District Attorney of Lewis County, further extending his public service through the administration of justice in his home region.

In his later years, Dayan retired from public life because of ill health, although he continued the practice of law. He remained in Lowville, where he had built his legal and political career. Charles Dayan died on December 25, 1877, and was buried at Lowville Rural Cemetery in Lowville, New York.