Howard County IN Archives Biographies.....Davis, David P. 1830 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 5, 2006, 4:51 am

Author: Jackson Morrow (circa 1909)

DAVID P. DAVIS.

   Examples that impress force of character on all who study them are worthy of
record. By a few general observations may be conveyed some idea of the high
standing of David P. Davis as a business man and public benefactor, although now
retired and spending the closing years of a strenuous and eminently useful life
in the enjoyment of the peace and quietude to which he is so justly entitled and
which he has so nobly earned. United in his composition are so many elements of
a solid and practical nature which during a series of years have brought him
into prominent notice, and earned for him a conspicuous place among the
enterprising men of the city of his residence, that it is but just recognition
of his worth to speak at some length of his life and achievements.

   Mr. Davis is an American by adoption, being a native of Wales, where his
birth occurred on the fourth day of October, 1830. When five years of age he was
brought to the United States and after spending a year in New York was taken to
Columbus, Ohio, where he remained until his tenth year, at which time he came to
Indiana, and during the ensuing seven years worked on a farm in Delaware county.
He had been informed that he was bound to the man for whom he was working, but
learning the true facts of the case he left his employer after a little over
seven years of service and returned to Columbus, where he labored for some time
at any thing he could find to do, later learning the cutter's trade, in that
city. After becoming a proficient workman, he went to Indianapolis, where he
followed his vocation until 1857, when he brought a stock of material to Kokomo
and engaging in the business upon his own responsibility, continuing the same
with indifferent results for a period of five years. Owing to stringent times,
his enterprise did not prove remunerative, accordingly at the expiration of the
period indicated, he entered the employment of T. J. Russell & Company, grain
dealers, and for some time thereafter had charge of the firms elevators on the
Lake Erie & Western Railroad.

   Later he assisted in erecting the present large elevator and for a period of
thirty-three years operated the same, during the greater part of which time he
was employed by the firm composed of William Jay, Mr. Russell and R. A. Dalman,
who. in addition to handling grain also did a thriving business in the packing
of pork. These were business men of high standing, and during his long period of
service with them. Mr. Davis cannot recall the memory of an unkind word or
single act inconsistent with the conduct of gentlemen. The business of the firm
grew to very large proportions and the farmers within a radius of twenty miles
brought their grain to the elevator, at times there being as many as sixty
wagons waiting their respective turns to unload.

   Mr. Davis was a valuable employe, and although he never asked for a raise in
wages he was advanced from time to time until, as already stated, the management
of the elevator was left almost entirely in his hands. When the above firm
disposed of their interests to Paddock, Hodge & Company he continued with the
latter firm until retiring from business, meanwhile becoming widely and
favorably known among the fanners of Howard county, besides taking an active
part in promoting the material advancement of Kokomo.

   Almost from the time of his arrival in the city he became interested in
public affairs, and it was not long until his abilities were recognized by his
fellow citizens, who in due time elected him a member of the town board, in
addition to which he also served one tenn as township trustee. While a member of
the board he was instrumental in organizing the first fire company, which
originally consisted of a "bucket brigade," but later a number of ladders were
added, thus greatly enhancing its efficiency. Mr. Davis devoted considerable
attention to this department, sparing no pains to make it answer the purpose for
which organized, and subsequently he was made its chief, in which capacity he
rendered eight years of efficient and acceptable service.

   Mr. Davis was also one of the leading spirits in organizing the Howard County
Agricultural Society, and as secretary of the same had personal charge of the
successful fair held during his incumbency. When Kokomo took upon herself the
dignity of a city government he was elected a member of the common council, in
which he served six years, being instrumental during that time in bringing about
much important municipal legislation, and proving indefatigable in looking after
the public welfare. He also served one year as member of the board of public
works, and for a period of nine years was on the park board, during which time
he devoted much time to the beautifying of the parks of the city and rendering
them attractive places of resort, to this end making a special study of
landscape gardening, in which he soon became quite an expert. His services in
the planning and beautifying of parks were not only utilized in his own city but
various other places, among which was Grand Rapids, where he rendered valuable
service in making the city park system one of the finest in the country.

   After a long, strenuous and in every respect useful life, filled to repletion
with good to the public, Mr. Davis finally retired from active duties to spend
the remainder of his days in honorable retirement. Having been successful in his
business affairs, he is now the possessor of a competency which makes him
independent and his future free from care. Though no longer an active
participant in public matters, he still keeps in touch with the times and not
infrequently is his counsel and advice sought in affairs concerning the best
interests of the community. In politics he was originally a Whig, but when that
old historic party had fulfilled its mission and passed out of existence he
became a Republican, and as such has since remained.

   Mr. Davis was married in Columbus, Ohio, in February, 1857, to Elizabeth
Davis, a lady of intelligence, much more than ordinary culture and ambition,
with whom he trod the pathway of life in a mutually happy wedded experience for
a period of forty-eight years. the union being terminated by the death of Mrs,
Davis, on the 20th of March, 1905. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Davis, the oldest of whom. Rev. Leonidus H. Davis, a learned and popular
Presbyterian divine, is pastor of the First Presbyterian church in Jacksonville,
Illinois, having previously held pastorates in New York City, Grand Rapids,
Indianapolis, and other important cities. He was graduated from the Union
Theological Seminary in New York and in addition to his various charges he has
traveled quite extensively in the United States and Europe.

   William, the second son, is a well known attorney of Kokomo, who has won a
conspicuous place among the leaders of the Howard county bar. Charles, the
youngest of the family, is a business man and proprietor of a mill at Greentown.
All of these sons were early taught the dignity and value of honest toil and
received their first practical experience in the grain elevator, where each
served his time under his father's direction.

   Mr. Davis has been a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity for many years and
is one of the leading workers in the lodge at Kokomo.


Additional Comments:
From:

HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY INDIANA
BY
JACKSON MORROW, B. A.
ILLUSTRATED
VOL. II
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

(circa 1909)



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