Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

DAMPMAN, JOHN
B.

p. 421

Surnames: DAMPMAN, BUCHANAN, BAER, McCORMICK, FREES

John B. Dampman was born in Chester county, Pa., July 20, 1851. He
is the son of Jacob and Catharine (Buchanan) Dampman, being
descended both on his father’s and mother’s side from the early
settlers of Chester county.

Mr. Dampman was educated in the common schools
of Chester county, was a student in New England schools, and
afterward graduated from Pennington (N. J.) Seminary. He taught
school in both Chester and Berks counties, and in 1873 entered the
office of George F. Baer, as a student at law, being admitted to
the Bar of Berks county in 1875. He engaged in the practice of his
profession for six years, and in 1881 became the founder of the
Reading Herald, continuing as its editor and proprietor for fifteen
years, during which time he made it a newspaper of considerable
force in the community. In 1806 he sold the Herald to William
McCormick and went upon the staff of the Pittsburg Times, as
editorial writer and literary editor. He remained there for upward
of five years, during which time he became a prominent and
well-known figure in Pittsburg journalism.

In 1901 he resigned from the Times, and
returning to Reading took up the profession of advertising, in
which he has had considerable success, especially in the line of
bank advertising and in political advertising, though he has been
busily employed also in mercantile commissions. In the political
line he has conducted many important campaigns, one of which was
the notable contest which resulted in. the formation of Greater
Pittsburg.

Mr. Dampman was one of the founders of the
Reading Press Club and has taken a prominent part in newspaper
organizations, having been for two terms a member of the governing
board of the International League of Press Clubs, of which he was
one of the founders. He was also an officer of the Pittsburg Press
Club and represented that organization at several national
conventions.

Mr. Dampman married in 1879 Miss Annie L. Frees,
of Reading, and has one son, Lieutenant Paul E. Dampman, of the
United States navy, who graduated from the Naval Academy at
Annapolis in 1904, and has since seen service in various parts of
the world.

DARLINGTON,
A. J.

p. 1029

Surnames: DARLINGTON, LAWRENCE, MISHLER, BECHTEL, HALBERSTADT

A. J. Darlington, who will be remembered as the efficient manager
of the Western Union Telegraph Company’s office at Reading, as well
as city ticket agent for the Philadelphia & Reading Company,
was born near Parkesburg, Chester Co., Pa., son of Robert and
Rachel (Lawrence) Darlington.

Mr. Darlington was educated in the schools of
Chester county until the age of fourteen years, when he entered the
telegraph office at Oxford to learn telegraphing. During this
period he enlisted for service in the Civil war, entering Company
I, 3d Pa. Vols., Heavy Artillery, in which he served until June 19,
1863, when he was honorably discharged. During his service he was
wounded quite seriously, and through the rest of his life suffered
on account of it, and this probably was the cause of his death.

After the close of his service in the Army, Mr.
Darlington came to Reading and entered the employ of the
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company as telegraph operator.
Promotion followed rapidly and he was soon placed in charge of the
company’s ticket office here. He was also placed in charge of the
Western Union Telegraph office in the same building, and he
continued to fill these offices until his death. His genial manner
and hearty manliness made him a favorite with every one who came
within his influence, and the name of “Jack” Darlington was one of
affection instead of familiarity. Outside his bereaved family and
inner circle of friends, the public at large mourned his death.

In 1867 Mr. Darlington married Elisabeth
Mishler, daughter of Jacob and Elisabeth (Bechtel) Mishler, and
they had three children, namely: Mary E., wife of Lewis V.
Halberstadt; Edmund L., chief clerk in the Reading office of R. G.
Dun & Co.; and Margaret, deceased. In political sentiment, Mr.
Darlington was a staunch Democrat. On one occasion, giving way to
the desire of friends, he permitted his name to be used as a
candidate for mayor, polling a large complimentary vote. He was a
member of the Royal Arcanum, the I. O. O. F., and of St. Paul’s
Memorial Reformed Church.

, p. 1060

Surnames: DAUTH, GRAUL, MELLERT, KLEILY

William L. Dauth, who, in association with his younger brother,
Luther G. Dauth, is engaged in a tinsmith business at Reading,
being his father’s successor, the latter now living retired, was
born at Boyertown, Pa., Oct. 9. 1873, son of John P. and Amanda
(Graul) Dauth.

Philip Dauth, great-grandfather of William L.,
was born in Rheinpfalz, Germany, and came to America in 1835,
locating at Newark, N. J., where he was engaged in contracting and
building. Later in life he revisited his native land where he owned
considerable real estate, and died and was buried there. He had
five children.

Charles V. Dauth, son of Philip, was born at
Kircheimbolanden, Rheinpfalz, Germany, Jan. 29, 1814, and was a
mere lad when he came to America. At Philadelphia, Dec. 11, 1838,
he was married to Madelaide Mellert, born March 28, 1817, in
Haslock, Germany, who died at Reading, March 7, 1854. Their
children were: John P.; Lewis, born June 26, 1842; George W., born
Aug. 13, 1844; Mary T., born Oct. 29, 1847, m. Charles Dauth; and
Arnold, born March 7, 1750. The maternal grandparents of this
family were John and Theresa (Kleily) Mellert, natives of Germany.
Charles V Dauth died at Reading, July 6, 1898, aged eighty-four
years.

John Philip Dauth, father of William L., was
born Oct. 29, 1840, at Philadelphia Pa. He was educated in the
public schools of Reading, to which city he was brought when three
years of age. He was reared in the family of the late John Mellert
from the age of nine years, and when ten years old began to learn
the tinsmith, plumbing and gas fitting trades with his father. He
was one of the first of the young men to show a willingness to
offer his life and services to his county in the Civil war. His
services merit an extended account and hereby is attached as nearly
a complete army record as it has been possible to secure.

John P. Dauth was enrolled at Reading, April 7,
1861, and was mustered into the State service at Camp Easton on the
seventh of the following June. He was in Company F, 3d P. R. V. C.,
as musician, and this regiment served in the First Brigade,
McCall’s Division, Army of the Potomac. They were there drilled
until June 27, when they were sent on to Washington, D. C., to
protect the capital of the country. On July 27, 1861, there were
mustered into the United States service, and a division was formed
in Tennallytown, where they laid several months. From there they
came to Camp Pierpont where they were quartered for the winter. The
first fight was at Tennallytown, where a decisive victory was won.
The other engagements were as follows: reconnoitred to Drainsville
Oct. 19, 21, 1861; skirmish near Drainsville. Dec. 20th; advanced
on Manassas, March 10, 14, 1862; to the Peninsula, June 8-11; Seven
Days battle, June 26 to July 1; battle of Mechanicsville (Beaver
Dam Station); battle of Gaines’ Mill, June 27; Charles City Cross
Roads (White Oak Swamp), June 30; Malvern Hill, July 1; movement to
reenforce Pope, Aug. 14-23; Northern Virginia campaign, Aug. 24 to
Sept. 2; battle of Gainesville, Aug. 28; Groveton, Aug. 29; Bull
Run, Aug. 30-31; Chantilly, Sept. 1; Maryland campaign, Sept. 6-20;
South Mountain, Sept. 14; Antietam, Sept. 16-17; moved to near
Warrenton, Oct. 26 to Nov. 6; Fredericksburg, Dec. 12-15;
Hamilton’s Crossing, Dec. 13; Burnside’s second campaign, Jan.
20-24, 1863; duty in defense of Washington, February, 1863, to
January 1864; moved to Martinsburg, W. Va., Jan. 5-7, 1864;
expedition from New Creek to Moorefield, Jan. 31 to Feb. 6; raid on
Virginia Central R. R., April 30 to May 19; marched over Cotton and
Great Flat Top Mountains, May 2-5; forced march to Cloyd Mountain,
May 7-8; action on Bush Mountain, May 9; New River Bridge, May 10;
pursuit to Salt Pond Mountain, May 12; veterans and recruits formed
into a battalion and served in Gen. Crook’s campaign from Meadow
Bluff to Gaston, May 31 to June 5; skirmish through Pond Gas, June
6-8; Hunter’s Lynchburg raid, June 9-18; skirmish near Brownsburg,
June 10; capture of Lexington, June 11; destruction of the Military
Institute at Lexington, June 12, 1864; action near Liberty, June
16; before Lynchburg, June 17-18; Diamond Hill, June 17; retreat to
Meadow Bluff, June 18-25, 1864. Mr. Dauth entered the service as a
musician, was wounded in the second battle of Bull Run, Va., Aug.
31, 1862 (gunshot in left leg); also in battle of Antietam, Md.,
Sept. 17, 1862 (gunshot in left arm), and was mustered out June 30,
1864.

After the close of his military service, Mr.
Dauth engaged in business for himself at No. 754 Penn street,
Reading, where he continued until 1902, since which time his sons
have continued the business at No. 18 South Eighth street. He
retains his building on Penn street. He is the owner and proprietor
of the Reading Granite Quarry, located at Mohnton, Pa., where he
has given as many as thirty-five men employed at one time.

On April 23, 1865, John P. Dauth was married to
Amanda Graul, a daughter of Samuel B. Graul, whose history appears
in this volume. They had four children, namely: Adalaid M.; William
L; John S., born Aug. 22, 1875, died March 31, 1876; and Luther G.,
born at Reading, Sept. 13, 1877. Mr. Dauth and family are members
of Old Trinity Lutheran Church of Reading, in which he has been
very active and was connected with the Sunday-school for many years
after he returned from the army. Fraternally he is a member of
Chandler Lodge, No. 227 F. & A. M.; Excelsior Chapter, No. 237;
Reading Commandery, No. 42, and a charter member of Rajah Temple.
Formerly he belonged to Lu Lu Temple of Philadelphia. He organized
Washington Camp., No. 61, P. O. S. of A., at Reading, in 1860,
passed all the chairs and is still a member. He belongs also to
Oley Lodge of I. O. O. F., is the father of that order at Reading,
and is a past grand, having served five times. In politics he is an
independent Democrat, and served as a member of the Reading common
council in 1879-80-81 and 1882.

To the large business built up by John P. Dauth
the sons William L. and Luther G. have still further added and now
control a large part of the city trade in their line.

DAUTRICH,
JAMES E.

p. 774

Surnames: DAUTRICH, BORKERT, GETTIS, GARRETT

James E. Dautrich is among the well known business men of Reading,
Pa., engaged in contracting and building. He was born in this city
June 7, 1861, son of James Dautrich.

James Dautrich was born in 1833, in Alsace
township, Berks county, and when a young man learned the
carpenter’s trade, coming to Reading when twenty years of age. Here
from 1853 he followed his trade until 1865, in which year he
engaged in contracting, an occupation which he continued to pursue
until his death May 16, 1899. Mr. Dautrich contracted specially in
stone and brick, furnishing the materials for some of the largest
and most substantial buildings of the city, especially in the
Northeastern section. Mr. Dautrich married Annie Borkert, daughter
of the late Captain John Borkert, who for many years operated the
flour and grist mill at Antietam Lake, Alsace township. She died in
June, 1900, and both she and her husband are buried in Aulenbach’s
cemetery. Their children were: Jacob E., James E., Philip A. and
Kate (deceased).

James E. Dautrich attended the public schools of
Reading and finished his education at the age of seventeen years in
the grammar school. He then went to learn the hatter’s trade, which
he followed for a few years in Reading, after which he went to
Bridgeport, Conn. Mr. Dautrich remained in the New England States
altogether eleven years, and at the end of this time returned to
Reading, and here resumed his trade until the death of his father,
when he took charge of his father’s business, and has continued to
conduct it to the present time, with great success. He employs an
average of from twenty to twenty-five men, and also furnishes the
brick and stone for the principal buildings in Reading. Among the
buildings built by Mr. Dautrich in Reading may be mentioned the
Curtis & Jones shoe factory, the Nolde & Horst stocking
factory, terra cotta for the large Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart
department store. Mr. Dautrich lives at No. 119 South Eleventh
street.

Mr. James E. Dautrich was married Dec. 13, 1894,
to Miss Amanda C. Gettis, daughter of James and Lydia (Garrett)
Gettis, of Berks county. Politically Mr. Dautrich is a Republican,
and under Mayor Adam H. Leader was appointed scavenger of the city,
a position which he filled very satisfactorily for three years. He
has also held a number of minor positions, being register assessor
for a number of years. He is a member of Grace Lutheran Church. He
is fraternally connected with Camp No. 560, P. O. S. of A., and the
Friendship Fire Company.

p.
1091

Surnames: DAVIDHEISER, SHIREY, SMITH, FEGLEY, HARNER, GRIESEMER,
WALLACE, HOFFMAN, WASHINGTON

Elmer Davidheiser, a successful farmer residing on the Davidheiser
homestead at Monocacy, in Amity township, Berks county, was born
Dec. 21, 1865, son of George and Elizabeth (Shirey) and
great-grandson of Jacob Davidheiser, of Montgomery county,
Pennsylvania.

Jacob Davidheiser was born in Falkner Swamp,
Montgomery county, and lived one and one-half miles east of
Sassamansville, where he owned and cultivated a good farm. Among
his children were: Henry, George, Jacob, William, Mrs. John Fegley,
Mrs. Henry Hoffman, Mrs. Washington Smith, and Mrs. Benjamin Smith,
the last two marrying brothers.

George Davidheiser, son of Jacob, was born March
10, 1798, and died Sept. 9, 1863. In 1836 he settled in Douglass
township. Berks county, not far from Pottstown, along the Iron
Stone creek. Here he built a brick mill in 1840 or 1841, which he
sold some twelve years later to a man by the name of Wampole, and
which is now the property of Mahlon Weidner. After he sold his
property in Douglass township, Mr. Davidheiser moved his family to
Amity township, locating about 1848 on the Philadelphia turn-pike,
between Douglassville and Monocracy where he had a large and
fertile tract of land. He was a millwright by trade, and in earlier
life followed that occupation in connection with farming. He and
his family were Lutheran members of the Amityville church. On Aug.
25, 1822, he married Salome Fegley, born Feb. 8, 1804, daughter of
Conrad and Catharine Fegley. She died Nov. 20, 1857, and both she
and her husband are buried at Amityville, Fourteen children blessed
their union: John, born Aug. 23, 1823; Catharine 1825-1832; Sophia,
born March 9, 1826; a son, Dec. 12, 1828; Sarah Ann, 1829-1833;
George, Sept. 14, 1831; Rebecca, 1833-1835; Jacob, Jan. 14, 1835;
Caroline, 1836-1858; Mary Ann, Nov. 25, 1838; Lovina, April 26,
1840; one, July 1, 1842; Engeline, 1844-1854; and Lizzie, Jan. 19,
1847.

George Davidheiser, son of George and Salome,
was born Sept. 14, 1831. After his marriage in 1855 he began
farming the old Davidheiser homestead, and remained there for ten
years, and then bought the adjoining farm of nearly 100 acres on
which he lived for three years. In 1868 he bought a farm near
Monocacy where he lived until his death Feb. 3, 1870. After that
time the widow and her children operated it, until the spring of
1908, when the son Elmer assumed charge of it. The father was a
Lutheran, belonging to the church at Amityville, and there he was
buried. On June 17, 1855, he married Elizabeth Shirey, born Sept.
23, 1833, daughter of William and Sallie (Harner) Shirey, the
latter of whom, born Sept. 16, 1812, is still living and is the
oldest lady in Lower Berks county. The children born of this union
were: Amanda m. Samuel Shirey, and lives in Reading; Annie m.
Wellington Shirey (brother of Samuel) and lives in Monocacy; Ammon
died young; a daughter died in infancy; Elmer; and George, who
worked five years as a wheelwright and fourteen years in the
Reading Car Shops, went to Ashland, Ala., in April, 1909, to engage
in the graphite business (he m. Ellen Griesemer, daughter of Irwin
Griesemer, formerly of Oley township, now of Alabama, where he,
too, is in the graphite business). In 1868 the father built the
present stone residence on the farm.

Elmer Davidheiser received his education in the
public schools near his home, and as he was but four years old when
his father died, it was necessary that he early take his place as
one of the workers on the home farm. He was but seventeen when he
began work for his mother, conducting the fifty-two acre farm with
great success. In the spring of 1908 he began for himself. The
Davidheiser tract is located on the Old State Road just above
Monocacy, and its general appearance proves it one of the best
managed places in that locality. The land is highly productive and
Mr. Davidheiser is scientific in his care of the soil.

Mr. Davidheiser is popular in fraternal
organizations, belonging to Monocacy Lodge, No. 441, I. O. O. F.;
Washington Camp. No. 240, P. O. S. of A., of Douglassville; and
Neversink Camp No. 7634, M. W. A. of Reading. He and his family are
Lutherans. In politics he is active in the ranks of the Democratic
party, and has been delegate to a number of county conventions, and
for six years, 1894 to 1900, was a member of the school board, of
which time he served four years as secretary and one year as
president.

Mr. Davidheiser married Katie Wallace, daughter
of Dr. James Wallace, and they have had four children: George
Ammon, Annie Laura, a daughter that died in infancy, and William
Elmer.

DAVIES, LEWIS
O.

p. 1520

Surnames: DAVIES, RAUCK, SCHLECHTER, LUDEN, REBER, SAYLOR, CARTH,
MILLER, DeBINDER

Lewis O Davies, proprietor of the People’s Laundry, at No. 1107 Elm
street, Reading, was born in that city in March, 1874, and is the
only surviving child of Howard and Maud (Rauck) Davies.

The elder Mr. Davies is a pattern maker by
trade, at one time employed by the Philadelphia & Reading
Company, and later at the Scott Works, where he was working when he
retired. Mr. and Mrs. Davies had one other child, their first-born,
Charles R., now deceased. Mr. Davies is a member of the I. 0. 0.
F., the K. P., the Philadelphia & Reading Relief Association
and the Cramp Association of Philadelphia. His religious creed is
that of the United Brethern Church, of which he is a member.

Lewis 0. Davies, after completing his education
in the Reading schools, began his business career by taking a
position under I. A. Schlechter, a jeweler. From him he went to Mr.
Luden, also in the-jewelry line, and later to the Reading Stove
Works. This, too, was not a permanent place, and Mr. Davies was
next employed by David Reber in the express company. His services
were then given successively to B. &. J. Saylor, grocers, to J.
H. Carth and to J. D. Miller & Sons. With the experience thus
varied behind him, Mr. Davies finally determined to go into
business for himself and in 1902 he established the Peoples
Laundry, and has since that time occupied the premises at No. 1107
Elm street. He employs six people, and runs a wagon. Only Troy hand
work is done and Mr. Davies has built up a good patronage, which is
constantly increased by his satisfactory service. He maintains
about 100 branch offices throughout the city.

In 1897 Lewis Davies and Miss Annie De Binder
were married, and they now have two children, a son and a daughter,
Herbert and Emma. Mr. Davies holds membership in the fraternal
orders, namely: Wyomissing Council, Royal Arcanum, Emblematic
Lodge, No. 169, I. 0. 0. F.; and the United Workmen. Politically he
has always maintained an independent stand.

DAVIES,
SAMUEL.

p. 388

Surnames: DAVIES, MILLER, KENNEDY, BORGER, HARRY, WILLIAMS, DEHART,
DERSCH, HUTCHINSON, HALE, BIRCH, SKILTON

Samuel Davies, proprietor of the Industrial Foundry and Machine
Works, of Reading, comes of Welsh ancestry, and is in the third
generation from the founder of the family in America, one Samuel
Davies.

Samuel Davies was born in Newbridge, Wales, in
1737. He changed his name from Davis to Davies, holding that such
was the correct Welsh spelling, and all of his kin have retained
the added letter ever since. About 1764 Samuel Davies sailed for
America, came to Berks county and settled in Reading, then a small
village, where he opened a shoe shop and store combined. In 1773 he
married his wife, Elizabeth, who was of German parentage. With the
exception of four years in Bradford, Chester Co., Pa., their
married life was spent wholly in Reading, and there they died, he
in 1821, aged eighty-four, and she some years later. They were
members of the Quaker sect. Their children were: (1) Mary, born in
1774, m. a Mr. Miller. (2) Lydia, born July 26, 1775, m. but had no
family. (3) Rebecca, born June 12, 1777, m. Thomas Borger. (4)
Joseph, born Jan. 1, 1779, in early life was a tanner in Chester
county. He m. in 1805, Miss Lydia Kennedy, of West Bradford
township, Chester county, and a family of eleven children was born
to them. Mrs. Lydia Davies died Nov. 30, 1819, aged forty-one
years, three months and twenty days. Some seven years later Joseph
Davies decided to go West, and in the summer of 1826 he traveled on
foot to Parke county, Ind., a distance of nearly one thousand
miles. He died, July 5, 1827. (5) Benjamin was the father of Samuel
Davies.. (6) Samuel, born Jan. 14, 1783, m. Aug. 31, 1815, in
Chester county, Miss Sarah Harry. He went west to Indiana, and
there died Dec. 14, 1862. His wife died Jan. 28, 1857, leaving four
sons, Jesse, Samuel, Lewis and Joseph. (7) Jacob, born June 27,
1786, became the father of two daughters, both now deceased. (8)
Isaac, born April 23, 1789, was known as the strongest man of
Eastern Pennsylvania. He left no family. (9) Joshua, born Aug. 17,
1791, became a well known teacher in Reading, and died Feb. 22,
1849, leaving an only daughter, Sarah. (10) Elizabeth, born Dec. 8,
1793, left no descendants.

Benjamin Davies was born March 17, 1781, and on
Jan. 27, 1805, was married to Miss Mary Williams. Eight children
were born to them, all deceased except the youngest. (1) Abner,
born Nov. 6, 1808, m. and died, leaving three children, William,
Lenora and Myers. (2) Lydia died in childhood. (3) Elizabeth, (4)
Samuel, and (5) Anne died in early life. (6) Mary W., born Sept.
10, 1816, m. Charles Dehart, and had children, William, Elizabeth,
David, Mary, Edward, Charles and Emma. (7) Lydia W. was a teacher
of Berks county, and died unmarried at the age of seventy. (8)
Benjamin, Jr., m. and had four children, Howard, Anna, Mary and
Jessica. The mother of this family died, and on Feb. 16, 1828. Mr.
Davies m. (second) Miss Mary Martin. By this union there were four
children: Samuel is mentioned below; Elizabeth, born Sept. 26,
1840, m. Herman Dersch and had ten children, of whom five are
living — John, Gertrude, George, Rebecca and Helen; Rebecca, born
Aug. 31, 1843, m. William Hutchinson, and had nine children, of
whom William, Ruth, Elizabeth and Rebecca are living (Mr.
Hutchinson enlisted Aug. 10, 1861, in Company H, 88th Pa. V. I.,
was wounded in the right thigh during the second battle of Bull
Run, Aug. 19. 1862, was taken prisoner before Petersburg, and held
in Libby Prison until mustered out March 30, 1865); Joseph, born
July 2, 1846, became a machinist by trade and m. Miss Margaret
Hale, and of their ten children there are living, Mary, Anna,
Katherine, Rebecca and Martha Nora.

Benjamin Davies, father of this large family,
became a prominent citizen in Reading. Beginning in the shoe
business, he was for some time established on Penn street between
Fourth and Fifth. When the Farmers National Bank was opened, Mr.
Davies opened the books and was made its first bookkeeper, and
later he served for a time as its cashier, maintaining his
connection with the institution for a period of forty years. This
fact alone bespeaks his place in the business world of Reading,
while his personality made him very popular socially. In religion
he was a strict observer of the customs of the Friends. He died in
1854, in his seventy-fourth year, while his wife survived him until
1888, when she died aged eighty-eight, the greatest age attained by
any member of the Davies family.

Samuel Davies was born in Reading, May 4, 1839,
and until he was fifteen years old he attended the public schools.
He then entered the Philadelphia & Reading railroad shops, in
order to become a machinist, and he remained there four years. He
next spent about a year and a half in the lathe department of the
Scott foundry, and afterward was employed at various places,
including Lebanon, Pittsburg and Wheeling. Returning to Reading, he
was engaged at the Johnson foundry and machine shop when the war
broke out. He enlisted in the State service in April, 1861, and on
June 4, 1861, he enlisted in the United States service under Capt.
William Briner, Company D, 3d Pa. R. V. C. He served all through
the war in the Army of the Potomac, was in a number of hard fought
battles, like the Seven Days Fight around Richmond, second Bull
Run. South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg, and was mustered
out at Philadelphia in the fall of 1864. The government gave him
employment in Nashville, and Mr. Davies spent some time in that
city, before going back to Reading. There he again worked as a
machinist, for the railroad until 1881, but in that year he went
into business for himself.

The concern of which Mr. Davies is now sole
proprietor has passed through various phases of existence.
Originally, in 1881, the firm name was Miller, Price & Co., and
the company did a foundry and machine business. A few years later
it became Miller, Printze & Co., and then Davies, Printze &
Co., and finally in 1904 Mr. Davies took entire control of the
plant. It is now known as the Industrial Foundry and Machine Works,
and is located at Nos. 229-231 South Ninth street. There are about
twenty hands employed, and the trade, though largely a local one,
is of good volume.

On Dec. 13, 1866, Mr. Davies married Miss
Margaret Birch, daughter of the late Dr. Solomon Birch. Five
children were born to them, as follows: Mary Elizabeth died at the
age of two years; Harry and William are both mechanics employed
with their father; Beulah, who was graduated from the Reading high
school in the class of 1895, taught in that city a few years and
then married Joseph H. Skilton, a resident of Philadelphia; and
Margaret, of the class of 1900 in the Reading high school, is now
teaching at the Pear and Buttonwood school. Mr. Davies served
during the war in Company D, 32d Pa. V. I., seeing much active
service, and is now a member of G. A. R. Post No. 16, of which he
is past commander. He also belongs to the Union Veteran Legion, and
holds the official rank of past colonel. In politics he is a
Republican.

DAVIS, NEVIN
M.

p. 389

Surnames: DAVIS, MYERS, WILSON, FRY, STEIN

Nevin M. Davis, a civil engineer ranking deservedly high in his
profession, came of a family long established in York county, and
his death, April 12, 1909, was deeply deplored. He was a son of the
Rev. William F. P. and Ellen. E. (Myers) Davis.

The Rev. William F. P. Davis was a minister of
the Reformed Church. He lived to the age of only fifty-two years,
passing away in 1883. At the time of his death he had a charge in
Berks county that embraced Wernersville (Hain’s Church), Sinking
Spring’s, Kissinger’s and Yocum’s Churches. He married Ellen E.,
daughter of Benjamin Myers, a retired business man of York and
founder of the Farmers Insurance Company, of that place. The
children born to this marriage were as follows: William S., a
graduate of Lehigh University, and now general manager of the
Lebanon Textile Works; Louisa Bell, now Mrs. Charles Wilson, of
Glen Olden, Pa.; Paul Benjamin, also a Lehigh University man,
assistant city engineer of Reading from 1903 to 1909; John Henry, a
clerk in the Second National Bank; Martha, at home; and Nevin M.

Nevin M. Davis was born Aug. 28, 1864, in New
Oxford, Adams county, where his father had his first charge. After
leaving school he entered Franklin and Marshall College, and was
graduated in 1885. The first position he secured was with the
Philadelphia & Reading Railway Co. as civil engineer, and he
was with the Company for seven years. During this time he was
assistant engineer in the construction of the Allentown Terminal
and the Philadelphia,. Harrisburg & Pittsburg Terminal
Railways. Another work with which he was concerned was the Port
Reading Railway from Boundbrook, N. J., to Port Reading. Mr. Davis
also held the position of assistant engineer for the Central New
England and Western Railway, with headquarters at Hartford, Conn.,
and had charge of the maintenance of the famous Poughkeepsie
Bridge. In 1892 he gave up his position with the railroad and
opened an office on his own account, taking engineering contracts.
He was at first associated with the firm of Davis Bros., but in
1898 that was dissolved and Mr. Davis had his office alone in the
Wanner Building, Reed and Court streets. He was extremely
proficient in his profession, and his work was always of the
highest class. Mr. Davis was also connected with various electric
railways, and directed the engineering work on the Reading &
Womelsdorf Electric Railway. He was chief engineer of the Safe
Harbor Steam Railway in Lancaster county.

Mr. Davis was married Jan. 14, 1893, to
Elizabeth Fry Stein, daughter of Jacob Stein and the late Ellen
Elizabeth Stein, of Allentown, where Mr. Stein was a retired
farmer. Three children were born to them, but Elizabeth, the
second, died in infancy. The other two are Frederick Stein and
Robert Stein, both in school. Mr. and Mrs. Davis belong to St.
Paul’s Reformed Church.

Mr. Davis had for many years belonged to the
Masonic fraternity, and is connected with various other
organizations, in most of which he has been very active and held
important offices. He is Past Master of Reading Lodge, No. 549, F.
&A. M.; Past High Priest, and at present secretary of Reading
Chapter, No. 152, R. A. M.; Past Eminent Commander of De Molay
Commandery, No. 9, K. T.; Past Thrice Illustrious Grand Master of
Allen Council, No. 23, R. & S. M.; member of Harrisburg
Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, 32d degree; and
a charter member of Rajah Temple, A. A. 0. N. M. S., in which he
served as Oriental Guide for nine years. Mr. Davis also represented
the Grand Commandery, Knights Templar of the State of Louisiana, to
the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania.

In politics Mr. Davis was an ardent Democrat,
serving at the time of his death as representative of the Sixteenth
ward on the school board. He served as county surveyor for three
years. He was a member of the Americus Club, the Union Fire Company
No. 13 (since its organization) and had held most of the offices in
it. He was president of the Firemen’s Union in 1906 and 1907, and a
member of the Firemen’s Relief Association as delegate from his
company to the organization at large. In whatever capacity, he
always rendered most valued and efficient service.

The most important professional and political
position held by Mr. Davis was that of engineer to the county
commissioners of Berks county in 1906-07-08, during which time he
designed and introduced into Berks county bridges of reinforced
concrete. The most noted of these bridges is the one across the
Schuylkill river at Dauberville, consisting of four seventy-five
foot spans of reinforced concrete, and a total length of four
hundred feet. This is considered one of the most artistic
structures in Eastern Pennsylvania, and Mr. Davis was highly
complimented by his profession and by the public in general for the
many handsome structures he designed and erected, which will ever
be monuments to his memory.

, p. 1273

Surnames: DAVIS, GARNEL, McMANUS, WILLIAMS, FRANCIS, STERNBERGH,
GRIESEMER, LEINBACH, HOFF

Samuel H. Davis, an honorable citizen of Reading, who has been
identified with many phases of the development of that city, was
born June 19, 1847, at Merthyr Tydvill, Wales, son of Samuel and
Martha (Garnel) Davis.

Samuel Davis, the father, was born in Wales and
died in his native land. His business was building and contracting,
and these occupations filled out a busy life of fifty-eight years,
his death occurring in January, 1872. His wife died at Scranton,
Pa., in 1891, at the age of sixty-nine years. They had twelve
children, of whom John died in Wales; James came to America in
1857; Samuel H. came several years later; Harry, Joseph and
Elizabeth all came to America in 1889; George followed his brothers
and sister in 1896; the others died in Wales. The family were Welsh
Baptists in religious faith. Many natives of Wales settled very
early in Berks county, and they have ever been classed with the
best citizens.

Samuel H. Davis was fourteen years old when he
left his school books and home and went to the north of England,
where he found work in a rolling, mill. After remaining there five
years he made his way to Scotland and continued to work in iron
mills until he was twenty one years of age, when he came to
America. He landed at old Castle Garden, whence he immediately
proceeded to Reading, Pa., where he found employment in McManus’s
sheet mill, at which he had been engaged some two years when the
strike of 1873 threw him out of work.

Mr. Davis then turned his attention to other
things and in 1874 was employed by Robert Williams on the
construction of the new Philadelphia & Reading depot, on which
he worked from start to finish. Later he engaged with a Mr. Daniel
Francis as a carpenter during the construction of the first horse
car line on Sixth street, which was operated then by horsepower.
This work lasted for several years and he then hired out to J. H.
Sternbergh at the steel plant, working at he furnaces, and remained
until he was promoted to be boss in three mills.

During this time Mr. Davis, in partnership with
Walter A. Griesemer, under the firm name of Davis & Griesemer,
erected a row of residences. The firm later went through several
changes, becoming successively, Davis & Leinbach, Davis &
Reiff, Davis, Ganter & Eichner, and finally Davis & Reiff.
The row of stone-front modern residences mentioned contains
nineteen houses, on Greenwich street, between Front and McKnight,
of handsome construction, and they have given satisfaction to those
who occupy them in every respect. Mr. Davis erected a home for
himself at No. 134 North Fourth street, Reading, where he expects
to spend the rest of his days in peace and comfort. It is of
Indiana limestone, substantial and commodious, a desirable home in
every respect and a credit to the locality. Mr. Davis is about to
retire from active business pursuits to enjoy a well-earned rest.
During all his energetic business life he has followed the rule of
leading his workmen and taking the same chances they do. Clad in
overalls, although his capital was being used in the different
contracts being carried out, he looked and worked just like his
men. This modest and unassuming manner won him high regard with the
various artisans, and has done much to keep his men from making any
serious inconvenience when labor troubles have annoyed almost every
contractor and builder in the country. Mr. Davis has very kind
memories of Jonathan G. Leinbach, whom he met in 1877, a perfect
stranger, and during the many years of their business association
they remained warm personal friends. In discussing the reasons for
his success in business where many others who started out seemingly
better equipped failed, Mr. Davis says that he has always kept in
mind the old saying that he who attends carefully to his own
business has his hands full.

In 1884 Mr. Davis was married to Mary Hoff,
daughter of Bright Hoff, and a member of a family old and prominent
in Reading. Away back in its early history the grandfather of Mrs.
Davis kept the hostelry which was well known in those days as the
“Brighton Hotel.” Mr. and Mrs. Davis have had two children Paul an
Walter, the latter dying aged three months. The former was born in
1885. From boyhood he was fond of athletic sports and for three
years he managed the Scholastic League and also managed a team of
ball players, while he was pursuing his studies at the Bethlehem
Preparatory School. He has always been a favorite with lovers of
athletic sports. At present he is working as an expert electrician
at Reading, with Goldenberger & Lyons.

Mr. Davis has been a citizen of the United State
ever since coming here, having taken out naturalization papers
immediately. In political sentiment he has always been identified
with the Republican party and has given hearty support to its
candidates. He is very well known in political circles in the Sixth
ward and has done yeoman service for the city in the line of
public-spirited efforts, in that ward, for the past twenty years.

p. 1031

Surnames: DAVIS, ADVISE, MORGAN, IVES, DUNKEL, DEISHER, HIESTER,
KERSCHNER, LEWIS, LASH, BURKHART, ENGEL, KAUFFMAN, LUDWIG, LENGEL,
FAHRENBACH, BOAS, KLINE, IAEGER, SWARTZ, POTTEIGER, BECHTEL, KRICK,
ALTHOUSE

Thomas T. Davis, auctioneer, of Reading, was born July 22, 1859, in
Penn township, Berks county, and is a member of the fourth
generation of his family in the county. He is of Welsh descent,
tracing his line from Edward Advise (also Davis), who was one of
three brothers to come from their native Wales and settle in
America. The other two settled in the South.

(I) Edward Advise first located in Chester county, Pa., in middle
life moving to Berks county and settling at Berkley, above Reading.
There he owned a large farm and erected a set of buildings, on the
property now belonging to Reese Davis, one of his descendants. He
died upon this farm at a ripe old age, and is buried at the
Friends’ meeting-house in Ontelaunee township. His wife was a
Morgan from Morgantown, her family being one of the foremost in
Berks county during the Revolutionary period. Mr. and Mrs. Edward
Advise had the following children: Elizabeth, born in 1789 (died
young); Hannah, 1790 (married Thomas Ives); Ann, 1793; Luke, 1795;
Franklin, 1798 (died without issue at Leesport); Lewis Reese, 1801;
Elizabeth (2), 1810.

(II) Luke Davis, son of Edward, born May 2, 1795, in Chester
county, between Morgantown and Churchtown, died in 1861, aged
sixty-six years. He came with his parents to Berkley, Berks county,
became a miller, and owned a grist-mill, which he conducted for
many years. Forty acres of land belonged to the mill property, and
he also owned an adjoining farm of 100 acres. There was a set of
buildings on each piece of property. He married Catharine Dunkel,
daughter of John Dunkel and his wife, whose maiden name was
Deisher. Luke Davis and his wife were both members of the Society
of Friends, and they were buried at the Berkley meeting-house. All
their family of thirteen children were reared in that faith. They
were as follows: John, born in 1817; Edward, 1819; Elizabeth, 1821;
Cyrus, 1822; Hannah. 1825; Rufus K., 1827; Eliza, 1829; Mark, 1831;
Luke D., 1833; George, 1835; Judith, 1837; Catharine, 1840; Reese
F., 1843.

(III) Cyrus Davis, son of Luke, and father of Thomas T. Davis, was
born in 1822 at Berkley near the old Friends’ meeting-house, and
died in 1874, aged fifty-two years. He is buried at Bern Church. He
lived in Penn township, where he followed farming, owning 118 acres
of land which he cultivated successfully. His land was a part of
the old homestead, and the present apple orchard on the place
(which is now owned by Harry Hiester) was planted by Cyrus Davis
when he was a mere boy. This orchard and farm later became his own
property, and there all his children were born and reared. The
large Swiss barn on the place was built by his father, Luke Davis.
The property was very desirable, Plum creek flowing through the
land, and there was water for the cattle in each of the eight
fields.

Cyrus Davis married Priscilla Kerschner, who
survived him ten years, dying on Christmas morning, 1884, at the
age of sixty-five years. They were the parents of seventeen
children, thirteen sons and four daughters, namely: Rufus and
Morgan, both of whom died young; Mary, m. Joseph Lewis; John;
Cyrus, of Penn township; Emma, m. to George Lash (both deceased);
Howard; Heber, who died in 1874, unmarried; George; Rosa, m. to
Daniel Burkhart; Mahlon, of Reading; Thomas T.; James, who died in
1874 at the same time as his father and brother Heber, all being
victims of typhoid fever (Cyrus and Heber Davis were buried at the
same time, in one grave); Susan, deceased, m. to Jacob Engel, of
Shoemakersville; Lewis; and Harry and Penrose, both deceased.

During the Civil war Cyrus Davis was three times
drafted for service, but he never entered the army. He was a
Hicksite Quaker, and warfare was against his religious principles,
but another and possibly stronger reason was the fact that this
large family needed him, and his neighbors, by whom he was held in
the highest respect, assisted him in securing substitutes, raising
the necessary money. The three drafts cost him in all $2,500. One
of his neighbors, a man named Kauffman, came to him on one of these
occasions with a bagful of money, saying; “Davis, you must not go
to war, your wife and small children must need you.” One of his
substitutes, Albert Ludwig, was shot shortly after entering the
service, meeting instant death, and the fact grieved Mrs. Davis
sorely; Ludwig, was a single man.

(IV) Thomas T. Davis, son of Cyrus, received his early education in
the schools of his native township and later attended the high
school at Bernville. He was reared upon the farm, which he left,
however, in his twenty-first year, after which he learned the
butcher’s trade from his brother George, at Reading, working for
him several years. Later he was employed by J. F. Lengel and others
in Reading, and it was while still engaged in this line that he
began to cry sales, in 1884. He was so successful that he soon gave
up his trade and devoted all his time to the new occupation, with
which he combined real estate dealing, and he has been interested
in this business ever since. He is the best known auctioneer in
Reading, being an expert in that line, and he has cried more sales
annually than there are days in the year. He is the auctioneer for
the sheriff’s office of Berks county, a position he has filled
since the administration of former Sheriff Fahrenbach, in 1891. For
many years he has cried more sales than any other auctioneer in
Reading, his services being constantly in demand. He has a clear,
loud voice, an affable manner, a comprehensive knowledge of values,
and a faculty for getting the highest price for goods in
combination of qualities which accounts for his success. His
familiarity with the real estate business gains him universal
confidence and makes his services doubly valuable. He has been in
the building business since the year 1903, since when he has
erected sixteen nice residences at Riverside, which have given him
the reputation of being as honest a builder as there is in Reading.
His speculations in land and city lots have covered a long period,
and he is an extensive owner of property in and about Reading.

On January 11, 1883, Mr. Davis married Laura K.
Boas, daughter of John S. and Mary (Kline) Boas, of Reading, and
they have had nine children, namely: Walter B., Addie B.,. Eva B.,
Mary P., Thomas W., Laura Frances, Florence H., Violet M. (who died
in 1896) and Harry B.

Mr. Davis has lived in the Tenth ward in Reading
since 1902. He is a Republican in politics, and he and his family
are members of the Lutheran Church. He himself was named after,
baptized, confirmed and married by Rev. Thomas Theophilus Iaeger,
of Reading. The family burial plot is in Aulenbach cemetery.

(III) Rufus K. Davis, son of Luke, was born Oct. 16, 1827, on the
homestead, and died in August, 1886, aged fifty-eight years. He was
a farmer by occupation, and in 1872 moved to Cumru township, where
he purchased a fifty-acre farm which was formerly one of the Swartz
properties. He owned a 134-acre farm in Penn township on which he
lived prior to 1872. He married Tamson Swartz, daughter of Joseph
Swartz and granddaughter of John Swartz, and to them were born two
children, Joseph S. and Lucy. Both are unmarried, and live in Cumru
township, near the State barracks.

(III) Luke D. Davis, son of Luke, was born Oct. 2, 1833, on the
homestead at Davis Mill, at Berkley. He was educated in the local
pay school and in the Friends school at Reading. For ten years
after beginning work he was a clerk in the general store of Amos W.
Potteiger, at Reading, and then he learned the milling business
from Christian Bechtel, in Cumru township, following that line ever
since for thirty-three years. He was engaged, for a number of years
with his father-in-law, William Krick In 1888 he became proprietor
of the Spring Mill, in Heidelberg township, which he has ever since
conducted in connection with that property he owns forty acres of
land, and he also owns seven houses in Reading.

On Jan. 27, 1857, Mr. Davis married Sarah Krick,
and they had two children, Margaret and William Luke, the latter
dying in infancy. The daughter married Thomas B. Althouse, and has,
one son, Luke D.; they reside at Philadelphia. Mr. Davis adheres to
the faith of his forefathers, being a Member of the Society of
Friends. He is a Republican in politics, and served six years as
school director.

p. 381

Surnames: DAVIS, GREATRAKE, HERBEIN, DILLON

Warren L. Davis, son of James and Anna (Greatrake) Davis, was born
at Birdsboro, Berks county, Oct. 24, 1868. After receiving a common
school education in the local schools, he, while yet a boy,
established a messenger service between Birdsboro and Reading,
which he carried on successfully for a year and a half. Then he
located at Reading and learned printing, but not being satisfied
with this occupation he entered the employ of George S. Herbein,
dealer in furniture and carpets, and continued with him six years.
During this time he qualified himself thoroughly for accounting,
and entered the hardware house of Bright & Lerch. Appreciating
his efficiency, they in 1895 selected him as their chief clerk and
treasurer, which position he held until the death of Mr. Lerch in
1898, when the firm changed to Bright Company. In the new firm he
performed the same duties as Mr. Lerch and also remained their
treasurer until July, 1901, having been in their employ for
thirteen years.

In 1901 he was offered the responsible position
of general bookkeeper of the Farmers National Bank, of Reading, the
oldest and strongest bank in Reading. He accepted this position and
his proficiency was so great that in August, 1903, he was promoted
to be cashier, and this position he has held most creditably until
the present.

Mr. Davis married, Dec. 25, 1895, Laura M.
Dillon, daughter of Moses Dillon, of Reading. They have two
children, Steward and Anna Louise. They belong to St. Barnabas
Protestant Episcopal Church.

p. 624

Surnames: DAVIS, VANDERSLOOT, ZIEGLER, RUBY, PAULI, MYERS, MOSSER,
ALBRIGHT, LEINBACH, McCAULEY, MILLER, KREMER, EVANS, BACHMAN,
STECKEL, BAUSMAN

Rev. William F. P. Davis was born in Paradise township, York
county, Pa., a rural district in the south-eastern part of this
State, Oct. 1, 1831, son of John and Isabella Davis, the latter a
daughter of the late Rev. Frederick William Vandersloot,and
grand-daughter of one of the earliest ministers of the Reformed
Church in this country, of the same name — a sister, accordingly
of the Revs. Frederick William and F. Edward Vandersloot, and aunt
of the late Rev. J. S. Vandersloot, son of the Rev. F. Edward and a
cousin of Mr. Davis. She was also a grand-daughter, on her mother’s
side of the Rev. Philip Reinhold Pauli, for many years pastor of a
Reformed Church in the city of Reading, Pa. — the father of the
brethren Revs. Williams and Charles Augustus Pauli — her uncles —
who, for many successive years exercised their ministry in the city
of Reading and vicinity — the former as successor to his venerable
father. Mr. Davis was accordingly a direct descendant of both the
Pauli and the Vandersloot families, so long and so prominently
represented in the ministry of the Reformed Church of this county.

Mr. Davis was baptized, in infancy, by his
maternal uncle, the Ref. F. Edward Vandersloot, and subsequently
catechised and confirmed by the Ref. Daniel Ziegler, D. D., and
received as a communicant member of the Straeher’s church, in York
county, Pa. In early life already he felt himself powerfully drawn
towards the work of the holy ministry, so largely represented by
his ancestors, but was prevented from entering the sacred office
for want of means to prosecute the studies necessary to qualify him
for the work. He learned the trade of a saddler and spent a number
of years in this occupation. In this way he sought to acquire the
means necessary for the prosecution of his literary and theological
studies. He commenced his preparatory course in the excellent high
school or academy kept for many years and successfully presided
over by the late Prof. Geo. W. Ruby, Ph. D. in York, Pa.
Subsequently he entered Franklin and Marshall College, at
Lancaster, Pa., where he graduated in 1861, after which he entered
the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church, then located at
Mercersburg, Pa., and completed his studies in the same in 1863.
During his student life, he was in the habit of working with the
farmers, in the vicinity of Lancaster, many of whom still remember
him and speak of him with respect as an industrious and skillful
laborer. His excellent character and conduct made a very favorable
impression on the minds of these simple-hearted and unsophisticated
tillers of the soil. They saw that a student, devoted to science
and literature, possessed at the same time both the requisite will
and capacity to engage in useful manual labor.

In the spring of 1863, Mr. Davis was licensed by
the Zion’s Classis, and during the same year ordained and installed
as pastor of the Abbottstown or New Oxford charge, in Adams county,
Pa. This first charge he served faithfully and with success for a
period of about nine years. After the death of his relative, the
Rev. Charles Augustus Pauli, in the fall of 1871, Mr. Davis became
his successor in the Sinking Spring charge, in Berks county, Pa.,
then composed of the five congregations, namely, Sinking Spring.,
Hain’s, Yocom’s, Kissinger’s and St. John’s at Hamburg. Several of
these congregations he subsequently resigned and had the charge
reconstructed, so that latterly it consisted of four congregations.
He served his people faithfully, and, as a consequence, was highly
respected and loved by them. In several of the congregations he was
particularly successful in gathering in members, and thus adding to
the numerical strength of his charge. His preaching was of a high
order — practical and popular. He preached the Gospel in its
purity, excellence and saving power; and his efforts were crowned
with signal success. He officiated in both the English and German
languages, using them with equal facility, accuracy and effect.
Taken altogether, Mr. Davis was one of our best and most successful
pastors, sincerely devoted to the spiritual welfare of his numerous
parishioners, and well deserving of their grateful remembrance.

Mr. Davis was married to Miss Ellen E. Myers, of
York, Pa., Oct. 22, 1863. They had ten children, seven of whom —
five sons and two daughters — survive their sainted father. Three
of the children preceded him to the eternal world.

Mr. Davis was a heavy-built man, of robust
constitution and general good health. He was, however, predisposed
to apoplexy. As far back as the 12th of March, 1881, he had an
attack of this kind, from which, however, he soon recovered
sufficiently to enable him to attend to the duties of his calling.
On the 21st of February, 1883, he had a second attack, from which
he never fully recovered. Still, although partially disabled, he
continued to attend to his pastoral duties, but not without
considerable effort and inconvenience. At length he was so much
debilitated that he could scarcely conduct the services of the
sanctuary. A few weeks prior to his decease, he told his
congregations that he needed at least three months’ rest, and, as
advised by his physicians, entire freedom from clerical duties. By
that time he hoped to be able to see whether he could further serve
his congregations or not. He was advised to take a voyage to
Europe, and, on the day preceding his death he completed his
arrangements for the proposed trip. Shortly before midnight, on the
10th of June, he had a third attack of the fatal disease. He lay in
an unconscious state until the next morning, Monday, June 11, 1863,
when between five and six o’clock, in the bosom of his family, at
Reading, Pa., Brother Davis gently fell asleep in Jesus, aged 51
years, 8 months and 10 days. His funeral took place on Thursday
following, at one o’clock p.m. The services were held in St. Paul’s
Reformed Church, at Reading, of which the family were members. A
large number of the members of the several churches which Brother
Davis served were present to testify their love and attachment to
their esteemed pastor. Some forty or fifty ministers of different
denominations were also present at these solemnities, many of whom
took part in the same. The services at the house were conducted by
the Rev. D. McCauley. The assembled multitude then went to St.
Paul’s Church. Dr. Miller of York, Pa., read the Scripture lesson
and offered a prayer in English. He was succeeded by the Rev. Dr.
Kremer in a German prayer. Rev. A. S. Leinbach preached a German
discourse from Rev. 2: 10: “Be thou faithful unto death, etc.” Rev.
Dr. Bausman preached an English sermon from 2 Tim 4: 5-8. The Ref.
L. K. Evans conducted the services at the grave. The brethren,
Revs. H. Mosser, D. B. Albright, T. C. Leinbach, A. J. Bachman,
John L. Leinbach, and L. D. Steckel, acted as pall-bearers.

Beautiful and affecting was the presence of so
large a number of the members of the pastoral charge of Brother
Davis to testify their extreme sorrow, and bear testimony to the
zeal and fidelity of their beloved pastor. Beautiful and
appropriate, also, was it that so large a number of his clerical
brethren should be present and participate in the solemnities
attending the final disposal of his mortal remains. It was, at the
same time, hard to see the stricken wife and mother with her seven
sorrowing children sitting beside the open coffin of a beloved
husband an a kind father, of whom they had been suddenly and
unexpectedly deprived. Here was room for the consoling promises of
Him who is the “Father of the fatherless,” and a “judge of the
widow.” Well is it for us all to remember under such circumstances
what is written: “Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord, from
henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit — that they may rest from their
labors, and their works do follow them.