Aaron Homer Byington (July 23, 1826 – December 29, 1910) was the U.S. Consul in Naples from 1897 to 1907. He was a newspaper publisher and editor. He also represented Norwalk in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1858 to 1860, and was a member of the Connecticut Senate representing the 12th District from 1861 to 1863.
He was born in Herkimer, New York, on July 23, 1826, to Aaron Byington and Sarah Waterbury.[2]
Upon completion of his studies, he worked in a minor position at the Norwalk Gazette.[2] When the New Haven Morning Chronicle began publication with Thomas G. Woodward as editor, Byington became business manager.[2] He remained in this capacity until 1848, when he bought the Norwalk Gazette.[2] In the Gazette, Byington editorialized for giving blacks the vote, a distinctly minority position at the time.[4]
At the outbreak of the American Civil War, and before regiments of Northern troops had arrived to defend Washington, there was a report of a plot to burn the capital. On April 18, 1861, this report mobilized loyal citizens, including Byington, and former congressman Orris S. Ferry, also of Norwalk to form a militia. This militia was led by Cassius Marcellus Clay, and came to be known as the Cassius Clay Guard.[4]
During the war, Byington worked as a lobbyist for Connecticut's arms manufacturers.[4] Byington was a raconteur who eventually got to know Abraham Lincoln and swapped tall tales and jokes with him.[4]
After the war Byington co-founded the New York Sun, along with Edmund C. Stedman and Charles A. Dana.[2]
He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention from Connecticut in 1868 and an alternate in 1880.[3]
In 1897, he suspended operations of the Norwalk Gazette when he was appointed by President William McKinley United States Consul in Naples. He served until 1907.[3]
Byington died on December 29, 1910, in Flushing, New York.[2]
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