Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Davis, William S.    
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Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003


WILLIAM S. DAVIS, a prominent citizen now serving as Auditor 
of Hopewell township, Pa., has been a resident of this place 
ever since his birth on November 30, 1851.  He is a son of 
Alexander Davis and the grandson of Isaiah Davis, who, as a 
pioneer settler of the township of Hopewell, contributed his 
full share toward changing a pathless wilderness to a rich 
agricultural region capable of producing in great abundance 
the fruits of the soil common to northern latitudes.
  Alexander Davis, now a venerable man of eighty-five years, 
is spending his declining days in Everett, Pa., enjoying the 
leisure and comforts of life well- earned by long-continued 
toil.  He was educated in the subscription schools of his 
early day, and when a young man was engaged for several 
terms in teaching in Hopewell township, Pa.  At a later 
period he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he 
subsequently followed during his years of activity in 
conjunction with general farming.  A man of resolute 
purpose, honest in his dealings with his fellow-men, he 
occupied a place of influence in Hopewell township, which he 
served many years as Justice of the Peace, being familiarly 
known for miles around as Esquire Davis.  He was also 
Postmaster at Yellow Creek for a long while.  The mail at 
that day was carried on horseback from Cumberland to 
Huntingdon.  He was a Deacon in the Presbyterian church, of 
which he was a prominent member and one of the most valued 
workers.  His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Snider, 
passed to life immortal in 1881.  They reared a large family 
of children, three of whom, all now deceased - Isaiah M., 
John N., and James P. - served in the Civil War.  The four 
surviving children are: Hettie M., wife of John B. Tobias, 
of Everett, Pa.; William S., the special subject of this 
sketch; and Thomas A. and Oliver F., both of Everett, Pa.
  William S. Davis received a practical education in the 
public schools, and since arriving at man's estate has been 
identified with the highest interests of his township.  By 
enterprising industry and progressive methods he has 
improved a good farm, on which he is successfully carrying 
on the various branches of agriculture.  He ranks high as a 
farmer, and in public affairs exerts a good influence.  He 
has served one term as School Director of Hopewell township, 
was for a number of years Assessor of the same, and has been 
Road Supervisor, and is now serving his second term as 
Auditor of the town.  Politically, he is a straightforward 
Republican, and, fraternally, he belongs to Amicitia Lodge, 
No. 775, I.O.O.F., at Loysburg, Pa.
  On September 7, 1872, Mr. Davis married Miss Isabella 
Fink, daughter of the late James Fink, of Hopewell.  She is 
the grand-daughter of an early pioneer of this township, one 
Valentine Fink, who settled here at an early day, coming 
from his former home in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.  
James Fink was a man of considerable prominence in local 
affairs, and in addition to filling many of the township 
offices he was for many years a Justice of the Peace.  He 
died in 1872.  His widow, whose maiden name was Susan Fluke, 
still lives in Hopewell township, an active an highly 
esteemed woman, who has just passed the seventieth milestone 
on life's journey.  Of their children seven survive, most of 
them living in Hopewell township, as follows: John W.; 
Solomon J.; Lydia A., wife of Levi Fluke; Mrs. Davis; Samuel 
M.; James M.; and Harry D.  Mr. and Mrs. Davis have one 
child, Alexander W. Davis.  Mr. Davis has been an Elder in 
the Reformed church, of which both he and Mrs. Davis are 
active members.



Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa