admin WILLIAM C. WARREN, editor and publisher of the Buffalo Commercial, is one of the foremost newspaper men of Western New York, a leading Republican and a citizen prominent in the business, political and social life of Buffalo. Mr. Warren is in the prime of years and vigor and is probably the youngest of Buffalo’s newspaper proprietors. His ability as a journalist may be characterized as a natural result of inheritance and environment. The name of Warren is one of the oldest in the history of Buffalo newspaper enterprise, and the subject of this sketch was brought up in an atmosphere of journalism and became familiarized in early life with the duties of editor and publisher. In both capacities he has won decisive success, and his newspaper pursuits have run parallel with a current of equally notable activities in politics and public affairs.
Mr. Warren was born in Buffalo on the 4th of August, 1859, and has always made the Queen City his home. His father was James D. Warren, for many years’ editor and proprietor of the Commercial Advertiser. William C. Warren received his early education in the Buffalo public schools, attended Briggs’ Classical School, and graduated from-the scientific department of Yale University in 1880. He then became associated in the management of the Commercial Advertiser, which after the death of the senior Warren in 1886 was continued by his sons under the firm style of James D. Warren’s Sons. In 1890 the word “Advertiser” was dropped and the paper has since been known as the Commercial. Since the death of Orsamus G. Warren, William C. Warren has been managing proprietor. As an editor and publisher Mr. Warren is the vigorous, modern type of newspaper man. He has maintained the sterling traditions of his paper and has given it the distinctive impress of his personality. The staunch Republicanism of the Commercial Advertiser is perpetuated and emphasized in its successor, the Commercial, which has for many years been the representative newspaper of its party in this section of the State. Viewed as to its general policy the Commercial is characterized by progressiveness tempered by sound conservatism. The public spirit of its proprietor is reflected in his paper whose championship of the interests of Buffalo and Erie County is zealous, efficient, and unswerving in its constancy. The influence of the Commercial in politics has long been one of the important and well-recognized factors of existing conditions. A man of clear-cut views and definite political convictions the editorial opinions of Mr. Warren carry the weight which attaches to utterances which deal frankly with issues and are founded on experience and practical knowledge.
From the beginning of his active career Mr. Warren has been a leading figure in Republican politics. For many years he was the adviser and political associate of John R. Hazel, then the recognized leader of the Republican party in Erie County. Prior to 1898 Mr. Warren, though wielding a large influence, had not held an official position in the party organization, and he has never at any time been a candidate for public office. In the Republican State Convention, held at Saratoga in 1898, the delegates from the 33d Congressional District elected him to succeed James A. Roberts as State Committeeman, and he continued to serve in that capacity for eight years, winning a high reputation for tact and sagacity as a party manager. When John R. Hazel was elevated to the Federal Bench in 1900, Mr. Warren was chosen as the man best fitted to be his successor as the Republican leader of Erie County.
In addition to his newspaper and printing business Mr. Warren is interested in the Buffalo General Electric Co., of which he is a Director. He is a member of the Saturn and Country clubs of Buffalo, and the University Club of New York City.
On April 2, 1891, Mr. Warren married Miss Clara Davock, daughter of John Davock of Buffalo.
SOURCE: Memorial and Family History of Erie County New York; Volume I