Park Davis Biography

	This biography appears on pages 505-507 in "History of Minnehaha
	County, South Dakota" by Dana R. Bailey and was scanned, OCRed
	and edited by Joy Fisher, http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00001.html#0000031
.

	This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit 
	organizations for their private use. 

	Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval
	system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other
	means requires the written approval of the file's author.

	This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside
	a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at
	http://www.usgwarchives.net/sd/sdfiles.htm


DAVIS, PARK, the subject of this sketch, is better known to the writer than 
any other person whose name is mentioned in this book. In the fall of 1853 
we attended the Leland Seminary in Townshend, Vt., and the acquaintanceship 
formed at that time resulted a few years later in a copartnership for the 
practice of law at St. Albans, Vt. Mr. Davis was born in Athens, Vt., 
September 24, 1837. His father was a farmer, but died when Park was twelve 
years of age, and his mother died a year later.  Under the direction of a 
guardian, he worked on a farm during his minority, except when attending 
school. He entered Middlebury college at Middlebury, Vt. in 1858, and 
graduated in 1862. He studied law in the law office of Butler & Wheeler, 
at Jamaica, Vt., and was admitted to practice in September, 1864. On 
February 3, 1865, he commenced the practice of his profession at St. Albans, 
Vt., with D. R. Bailey under the firm name of Bailey & Davis, and remained 
in the practice of law at that place until the fall of 1879, when, in 
company with H. F. Stevens who was then his law partner, he changed his place 
of business to the city of St. Paul, Minn., and there remained in practice 
under the firm name of Davis & Stevens until September, 1881.  At the last 
mentioned date he entered into copartnership with a brother-in-law, in the 
pork packing business at Albany, N. Y.. under the firm name of Gray & Davis. 
On January 1, 1886, the old firm of Bailey & Davis was renewed at Sioux Falls, 
and during the summer following Mr. Davis built his residence on Dakota avenue 
and removed his family to Sioux Falls, and commenced again the practice of law 
September 11.  In January, 1889, W. H. Lyon was added to the firm, but soon 
after Mr. Bailey's retiring in November, 1890, the firm of Davis, Lyon & Gates 
was established, and they are now engaged in the practice of law.  Mr. Davis is 
a thoroughly well read lawver, and during his long practice has been engaged in 
a great many important cases.  He is a conservative, conscientious legal adviser, 
and when employed, his client gets his services to the full extent of his ability. 

His standing among the legal fraternity is evidenced by the following request, 
signed by thirty-six members of the Minnehaha county bar July 26, 1889:

"Hon. PARK DAVIS, Sioux Falls, Dakota:

The undersigned, members of the bar of Minnehaha county, respectfully and 
earnestly request, that you permit yourself to become a candidate for the 
office of judge of the circuit court of the second judicial circuit of the 
state of South Dakota, at the election in October next."

In 1874 he represented St. Albans in the Vermont legislature, serving with 
recognized ability and influence.  For several years he was Grand Master of 
the Masons of Vermont, and was the author of a treatise on Masonic offenses, 
trials and restoration, prescribing full forms of procedure, which was adopted 
by the Grand Lodge of Vermont and incorporated in the Monitor.  Since coming 
to South Dakota he has held the office of Grand High Priest of Royal Arch 
Masons, and other important Masonic offices. He is a good neighbor, a 
steadfast friend, a social, genial gentleman, and a respected citizen.