BIOGRAPHY: Edward Davis; Newburgh, Orange co., New York transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives *********************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.org/ny/nyfiles.htm *********************************************************************** Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the Counties. Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United States. New York and Chicago; Chapman Publishing Co., 1895 EDWARD DAVIS is a stockholder in the Kilmer Manufacturing Company of Newburgh, manufacturers of wire, wire rods and wire nails, one of the largest industries of the kind in the state. In company with M. L. Kilmer, our subject was the first man to take gold out of the Black Hills after Professor Jenny, and his experiences in the West form an entertaining chapter in his history. Since 1879 he has been connected with the above-named manufacturing company, and with them removed from Schenectady, N. Y., in 1887, to their present location. Our subject's parents were Harmon and Rachael Davis, both natives of Chester County, Pa. The father owned a farm about three miles from Kenneth, which he carried on until recently, and is now passing his declining years on the old homestead, having attained the ripe old age of eighty-six years. For many years he has been a faithful supporter of the Republican party. His wife, who was brought up a Quaker, died when about fifty years old, and of their six children, two are deceased. Edward Davis was born in Chester County, Pa., January 15, 1843, and was reared to farm life. He attended the common schools, and remained at home until sixteen years of age, when he commenced serving an apprenticeship to a coach-maker in Marthatown. When his term of three years was finished he worked at the business as a journeyman until the outbreak of thewar. At the first tap of the drum he volunteered in Company A, First Pennsylvania Reserves, and was mustered in at Westchester, being assigned to the army of the Potomac. He took part in every important engagement of the following campaign, including the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Gettysburg and the Wilderness. At Weldon Railroad he was captured with a number of other pickets, and was sent to Belle Isle, thence to the prison at Salisbury, N. C., where he was kept for six months. When Sherman's army arrived in the vicinity he was released on parole. Mr. Davis was in the Navy School Hospital at Annapolis at the time of Lee's surrender. He was mustered out and honorably discharged in June, 1865, having served for over four years. During his army career he had numerous narrow escapes from death, and several bullets lodged in his knapsack. When the war had closed Mr. Davis went West in search of new adventures, and, in company with a few others, fitted out a mule-team and wagon. They started to Montana, by way of Ft. Kearney and Ft. Laramie, the North Platte route, then by the Baden route to Virginia City. Leaving St. Joseph May 3, they arrived at their destination July 4, at once engaging in mining and prospecting. When they arrived at the Big Horn they were obliged to swim the river, and many of their experiences were fraught with great danger and difficulty. About this time Mr. Davis became acquainted with M. L. Kilmer, and in 1875 they went to Deadwood, S. Dak. Emissaries of the Government were in pursuit of the daring miners, but they managed to keep out of their reach, though their escapes were sometimes very narrow. On one occasion the troops passed them only a few rods away, but their plan of lying perfectly still, flat on the ground, was successful. The two friends camped in a deep ravine at the head of Whitewood, and did not undertake their mining exploits until February, when the troops left. At the placer mines of Deadwood they obtained in a short time $950, which was divided among the three, and for a time they were in camp at Spring Creek. In 1876 Mr. Davis and Mr. Kilmer returned to visit the Philadelphia Centennial, and during their two months' absence their partner succeeded in mining $18,000 worth of gold. After about three years more of western life our subject and Mr. Kilmer returned to New York State, thenceforth to follow regular lines of business. Mr. Davis helped to incorporate the Kilmer Manufacturing Company, and has been of great service in its upbuilding and advancement. In politics he follows his father's example, and gives his allegiance to the Republican party. In 1879 Mr. Davis was married, in Schoharie County, N. Y., to Luella, daughter of Augustus Kilene, a native of Howe Cave. Mr. Davis is thoroughly posted in everything relating to mineralogy, and is a practical business man. He en-joys the friendship of a host of acquaintances, and by one and all is pronounced a fine conversationalist, a man of ability, and good judgment, and an entertaining friend and companion.