The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-01-16
THE HON. JOHN W. DAVIS.


concerned. His history thus far is
beautiful illustration of the happy
influence of our republican institu-
tons. 1t shows that the highest
honors await those whose ability
and integrity render them safe re-
positories of the sacred trust at the
disposal of the people, and that the
humblest individual may reach the
proudest cminence in our nation:
Hon. JOAN w. DAVIS, SPEAKER.
The rise Of man of merit, by the
force of his own genius, integrity,
and resources, should ever be an OBJ
ject of interest and admiration, in a
government like ours, where the
most distinguished honors are open
to the competition of talent and mo-
raj worth. In the early history of
the republic, the princi pies of free
institutions, the capability of self
government, and finally the revolu-
ton, which consummated the declar-
alton of independence, and secured
us a place amongst the nations of
the earth-all these were advocated
by men from the humblest walks of
life, impelled by high and devoted
patriotism, or encouraged by that
noble ambition which is the offspring
Of true genius.
1t is no great achievement for for
tune and family influence and abil-
ty combined, to attain station and
honor; but that perseverance, reso-
luton of character, and naked pow
erty should surmount all contending
difficulties and reach a seat of emf
nencc, occupied by the greatest and
best Of our statesmen, is an event
worthy of remark--a beacon light to
the laudable ambition of rising gene
rations. Such has been the well de-
served fortune of the subject of this
notice-a man, emphatically, with
out fear of reproach.
JOHN w. DAVIS was born in the
county Of Lancaster, Pennsylvania,
and is now forty-five years of age.
He studied medicine under the ce-
LIBERATED DR.. Foulke, of Carlisle, and
graduated with great credit at the
University of Maryland, in 1921,
carrying with him the sincere affec-
ton of his class, and the high re-
spect of the institution which con-
ferred his diploma. Early in the
year 1923, he emigrated to Indiana,
then comparatively wilderness, and
settled in the county of Sullivan,
where he now resides. By his ur-
banity of manners, fidelity of charac-
ter, and enlightened ability in his
profession, he soon commanded the
esteem and regard of the people
among whom his fortunes were cast,
and in 1929 was chosen surrogate of
the county. Two years after he
: was induced to accept a seat in the
state legislature, and acquired so
much popularity and influence in
that short period as to be reelected
without opposition in 1882. His
reputation had now spread beyond
the limits Of his adopted state, and
attracted the attention of Gen. Jack
son, then at the head of the govern
ment, who in the summer of that
year selected him as commissioner
to negotiate treaties with the Mia
mi and Pottawatamie Indians. How
faithfully and zealously he discharg-
ed these delicate and important du-
ties, is matter of public history, and
one to which his friends can Justly
point with pride and satisfaction.
He returned to his seat in the legis-
lature of Indiana, in the winter OF
1882, and was chosen speaker of the
house of representatives. The i'm
partiality and ability with which he
administered this office, secured
him the democratic nomination for
congress, in 1888, when he was de-
feated by two votes, after having
deprecated the Wing majority to Q
mere fractional existence. At the
next canvass, in 1885, he was again
put forward and triumphantly elect
cd, against a powerful combination
and under circumstances most flat.
erlngto his personal popularity.
In 1887 hewas not candidate 70,
reelection and the district relapsed
into its ancient wing faith.-Publit
opinion, however, called him forth
at the succeeding contest, and the
immense majority of 1900 nantes
ted, in some degree, his hold upor
the feelings and affections of hi,
ncighbors and constituents-thost
who are best able to estimate the
qualities and character of a public
man. N ....,..
In lS4l, the universal cry for
"change in the administration of tn,
government" extended itself to In
diana, and tho deluge of public sen
timent infavor of Gen. Harrison per
meated to its remotest boundaries
n