OBIT: William A. DAVIS, 1928, Hollidaysburg, Blair County, PA

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VETERAN DIES
WILLIAM A. DAVIS [photo]
RETIRED ENGINEER VICTIM OF STROKE
William A. Davis Had Record of Fifty-five Years on Engines, Starting at 
the Age of Twelve.

  William A. Davis, well known retired locomotive engineer of the 
Pennsylvania Railroad company, died this morning at 7.20 o'clock at his 
home, 202 Penn street, Hollidaysburg. Mr. Davis was stricken with 
paralysis on Armistice day.
  He was a son of Timothy Calvin and Mrs. Katherine Brown Davis and was 
born in Gaysport, Feb. 23, 1856. He resided in Hollidaysburg and 
vicinity all his life, entering the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad 
company when but little more than 12 years of age, as an engine wiper 
in the roundhouse in Hollidaysburg.
  Mr. Davis' wife died several years ago. He is survived by three 
daughters, Mrs. Edgar R. Vipond of Hollidaysburg, Mrs. F. A. Bice of 
Hollidaysburg and Miss Effa Davis at home, also three grandchildren, 
Kitty, William and Suzanne Bice, children of Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Bice.
  Funeral services will be conducted at the home in Hollidaysburg 
Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock, in charge of Rev. Barnett H. Hart, 
pastor of the Hollidaysburg Methodist church. Interment will be made in 
the Presbyterian cemetery.
  Mr. Davis retired on March 1, 1923, after a record with the company 
covering a period of fifty-five years. He went to work in the 
Hollidaysburg enginehouse, which stood near where the present passenger 
station is located, on June 15, 1868, being only a few months past 12 
years of age. He remained on the job for seven years, cleaning engines 
and getting wood ready to fire up in the morning, did some night work 
to increase his education and also prepared himself for running an 
engine.
  On June 18, 1875, Mr. Davis was graduated from the enginehouse and 
became a fireman on the road and on Dec. 1, 1881, became an engineman. 
His service was largely on the branches but comprised work on the old 
Altoona division, the Pittsburgh division and, later, the Middle 
division. In his long career, he lost but little time, always being in 
good health and preferring work to idleness.
  Mr. Davis was a good citizen and, since his retirement from the road, 
devoted his time to his home and resting after a service that is not 
equaled by many.

Altoona Mirror, Altoona, Pa., Thursday, November 15, 1928