BIOGRAPHY: Howard DAVIS, Cambria County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by David Monahan. USGENWEB ARCHIVES (tm) NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ ____________________________________________________________ From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 370 ____________________________________________________________ Howard DAVIS HOWARD DAVIS.--This enterprising business man of Conemaugh, Cambria county, is a son of Timothy R. and Lidie (Burkhart) Davis, and was born in Jackson township, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, October 18, 1860. His grandfather, Richard Davis, was born in Wales, and emigrated to this country when about eighteen years old. He engaged in farming in Cambria township, near Ebensburg, and followed this occupation for fifty-three years. He was an old-line whig, and a member of the Baptist church, in which he was a deacon until his death. This occurred in April, 1866. The grandfather of our subject was a good and reliable man and the father of a large family, all of whom are respected and worthy citizens. All of his children are living, except two, Willie and Katie. All are married and living in Cambria county, except Mattie, who lives in Reynoldsville, Jefferson county, Pennsylvania. Timothy R. Davis, father of Howard Davis, married Lydia Burkhart, a daughter of Joseph Burkhart, of Cambria township, in October, 1857. He was educated in the common schools, and after leaving school engaged in the lumber business, until 1886, when he retired from business with a competency sufficient to maintain him in comfort for the rest of his days. He is a Protestant in religion and a republican in politics. He held the office of borough constable for six years, besides having filled various other township offices. In his county he was known and esteemed as a political leader of influence and worth. He had eight children, four boys and four girls. One boy is dead, the rest are living, and the girls are all married, Josephine married Daniel Kerr, of Indiana county, October, 1876, and has nine children, all of whom are living. The family now reside in Jackson township, Cambria county. Susan Jane is the wife of W. W. Dunmire, of Jackson township, and has four children, all living. Esther was married to John Gray, of Conemaugh, Cambria county. Five children were born to this union, and all are living. Flora Bell married Daniel Custis, of Conemaugh, Cambria county, and their two children are both living. Of the boys, two, Harry and Webster, are unmarried. The latter is a druggist in Conemaugh, and the former is an engineer for the Pennsylvania railroad. Howard Davis married Martha Jane Long, of Washingtown township, Indiana county. She is a daughter of John Long, who was educated in Ohio, and taught school for about thirteen terms in Indiana and Westmoreland counties. After teaching he followed the pursuit of farming for a number of years. He died February 9, 1883. Our subject was educated in the common schools, and followed the lumber business in partnership with his father for five years. Later, he came to Conemaugh, where be carried on the butcher trade for four years, or until the great flood, which destroyed his place of business, he barely saving himself and family. After the flood he was appointed postmaster, but resigned that office after three months, and embarked in the furniture and undertaking business, in which he is now engaged. He is assisted in his business by his son Oscar, an energetic youth of fifteen years. Of his other four children one is dead. He is an ardent republican and a prominent political leader of his section. He was formerly constable of Jackson township, and in February, 1894, was honored with the office of mayor of Conemaugh borough. Mr. Davis discharges the duties of his office with tact and judgment, fully sustaining the high reputation which he has gained among his fellow citizens.