Daniel B. St. John

Daniel Bennett St. John (October 8, 1808 – February 18, 1890) was an American businessman and politician who served one term as a U.S. Representative from New York from 1847 to 1849.

Life Born in Sharon, Connecticut, St. John engaged in mercantile pursuits and the real estate business at Monticello, New York, in 1831.

Business career In 1851, while operating as a prominent merchant in Monticello, New York, St. John partnered with journalists Henry Jarvis Raymond and George Jones, alongside financier Edward B. Wesley, to launch a new metropolitan newspaper,The New York Times.

He became one of the original seven outside investors in the joint-stock partnership, Raymond, Jones & Co., pooling capital to fund the paper's initial $100,000 launch. St. John remained a "silent" financial backer, leaving the editorial operations to Raymond and publishing management to Jones.

Political career He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Sullivan County) in 1840.

Congress St. John was elected as a Whig to the 30th United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1847, to March 3, 1849.

After Congress He moved to Newburgh, New York.

He served as delegate to the Constitutional Union National Convention in 1860.

He was a member of the New York State Senate (10th D.) from 1876 to 1879, sitting in the 99th, 100th, 101st and 102nd New York State Legislatures, and a delegate to the 1876 Democratic National Convention. St. John served as chief registrar in the banking department of New York State.

Death and burial He died in New York City February 18, 1890. He was interred in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Newburgh, New York.