admin JAMES D. WARREN was a representative figure in Buffalo journalism. As editor and proprietor of the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, now the Commercial, Mr. Warren was widel known in the newspaper world and he was equally prominent in public life.
Mr. Warren was born in Bennington, Wyoming County, N. Y., January 19th, 1823. His father, Orsamus Warren, was a farmer and one of the pioneers of Western New York. From Bennington the family removed to Wales, Erie County, and later to Clarence, where Orsamus Warren bought a farm and carried on a store. When his father came to Erie County James D. Warren was about two years old. As a boy he attended school, worked on the farm and assisted his father in his business. When twenty years old he made a tour of the South, spending a year in Natchez, Miss. Returning North, for a number of years he engaged in mercantile and farming pursuits in Clarence. Meantime he became active in politics and served several terms as Supervisor. In 1854 he was elected County Treasurer for a teria of three years. Subsequently he held for two or three terms the office of Clerk of the Board of Supervisors.
In 1861 Mr. Warren began his life work as editor and publisher. In April of that year, with Rufus Wheeler and Joseph Candee, he became joint purchaser of the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, with which newspaper he continued to . be identified till his death. The history of this paper began in 1811, when it was founded as the Buffalo Gazette. It passed into the hands of a succession of owners, from a weekly became a daily, and was issued as the Daily Commercial Advertiser on the 1st of January, 1835. In May, 1839, the Buffalo Journal was merged with the Commercial Advertiser. In 1862 Mr. Candee withdrew from the business, his interest being purchased by Messrs. Warren and Wheeler. Immediately afterward Mr. James N. Matthews was admitted to partnership, the firm becoming Wheeler, Matthews & Warren. Two years later Mr. Wheeler retired and the firm was styled Matthews & Warren. In 1877 Mr. Warren purchased the interest of Mr. Matthews and from that time was the sole proprietor and publisher of the Commercial Advertiser. Under his management the paper became the leading Republican newspaper of Western New York. As an editor Mr. Warreu won and retained a distinctive place as a stalwart exponent of Republican principles and as a broad-minded representative of the best interests of the community. His conception of journalism was high and he maintained his ideals with unfaltering constancy. Originally in Main street, the plant of the Commercial Advertiser was removed in 1868 to the Adams Block in Washington street. In September of the same year the buildingwas destroyed by fire. It was promptly rebuilt and the establishment continued to occupy it till April 10, 1882, when the business was removed to its present new building at Washington and North Division streets.
In addition to his newspaper interests, Mr. Warren was President of White’s Bank, then one of the well-known financial institutions of Buffalo.
Mr. Warren had an active share in Republican party management, was Chairman and for many years a member of the State Committee, and on numerous occasiohs served as a delegate to, State and national conventions. He was wliat was linown as a stalwart Eepublican, and was the recognized leader of that branch of the party in Western New York.
Mr. Warren was married twice. His first wife, to whom he was married October 31, 1845, was Miss Laura Love, daughter of George Love of Buffalo. She died in 1849, leaving one son, Orsamus G. Warren. In 1851 Mr. Warren married for his second wife Miss Mary Mills, daughter of Judge Mills of Clarence, N. Y. The children of this union were one son, William C. Warren, and two daughters, Miss Kate and Miss Mary Warren of Buffalo.
The death of James D. Warren occurred on the 16th of December, 1885.
SOURCE: Memorial and Family History of Erie County New York; Volume I