[1] He was admitted to the bar and entered private practice in Philippi from 1878 to 1879,[1] with his father Spencer Dayton.

[1] Dayton was elected as a Republican from West Virginia's 2nd congressional district to the United States House of Representatives of the 54th United States Congress and to the five succeeding Congresses and served from March 4, 1895, until his resignation March 16, 1905, to accept a federal judicial position.

[3] Dayton was nominated by President Theodore Roosevelt on March 7, 1905, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia vacated by Judge John Jay Jackson Jr.[1] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 14, 1905, and received his commission the same day.

[1] His service terminated on July 30, 1920, due to his death in Battle Creek, Michigan.

[3] This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress