Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-12-14
PROMINENT PIONEERS.
Sketch of the Life of General William A.
Davies.

PROMINENT PIONEERS.
Sketch of the Life of General William A.
Davies.
The San Francisco Commercial Record
publishes the following sketch of the life of
a gentleman who has many warm friends
in Sacramento as well as every other part
of the State:
Few gentlemen of the many we have
spoken of in this series are better known
to our people than the subject of this
sketch. He was well-known here, indeed,
before he took up his residence in this city,
through his visits and his business in the
| interior The present sketch will, there
| fore, be read with interest, and the E.ore so
as it is the first time all the leading facts
have been published.
Mr.. Davies was born in Utica, n. Y.
There his father, Thomas Davies, settled
and began business about the year 1920.
| That gentleman was a native of Wales, but
came to this country when quite young.
William A. Davies attended the select
schools of Utica and received an excellent
education. In that city, indeed, repre-
sentatives of his family still reside. The
prospects in California led to his coming to
thisS State. In early times too, the venture
here was such as to appeal to those am
bilious to succeed in life. We doubt, how
/ ever, if Mr. Davies intended to remain
when he first came. The likelihood is, he
desired to Judge of the country. This is
borne out by the fact that he came alone,
his wife remaining East. California fully
met his expectations, however, and he ac-
cordingly sent for her the following spring,
and she came to California by way of the
Isthmus.
Mr.. Davies made the voyage to this
State by way of Cape Horn. He sailed
from New York on the clipper ship Harriet
Hoxie, and was 1872 days on the passage,
arriving here August 8, 1852, so that he
came close to the pioneer era. The vessel
stopped at Valparaiso for short time for
supplies. On board were three families
who had been to California, so that the
passengers learned considerable from them
as to the new State-Peter Craig's family
| (the well-known undertaken and those of
Mr.. Perrin and Captain Haine. Shortly
after his arrival Mr.. Davies went to Tu-
olumne county. He remained there but a
short time, however, going afterwards to
Calaveras county, near Murphy's Camp.
This was in December, 1852. Mr. O'Brien,
the present Tax Collector, was mining
there at the same time. He remained in
that county until 1857, when he returned
to Tuolumne county, where he entered
business. For some twelve years he re-
sided in the latter county.
In 1869 Mr.. Davies removed to Stock
| ton to enter the Internal Revenue Service.
Upon the union of the two districts in 1875
| he was transferred here and has since
made this city his home, In 1879 Mr.
Davies was appointed Deputy Controller
under Governor Perkins administration
In 1882, nominated for Controller, he re-
ceived very aattering vote at the polls
| The whole Republican ticket that year
was beaten, however, owing to causes not
necessary for us to enter on, and Mr.. Da-
vies shared the fate of his ticket. Follow
lowing this he engaged in farming in Sac
ramento county for time on the Costumes
bottoms, about half way between Stockton
and Sacramento. Returning to this city
he was subsequently appointed Deputy
County Clerk during Mr.. Ruddick's term.
Nominated last year for County Clerk our
readers are familiar with the handsome
majority he rolled up, thus showing con-
| clusively the favor with which he is re-
garded by our people.
During war times Mr.. Davies was
staunch Union man. He was instrumental
indeed in building UP the Third Brigade
to a condition of efficiency for any service
it might be called On to perform at that
time. This was in Tuolumne county. He
organized the First Infantry Battalion,
and on the forming OF the Brigade was APP
pointed Brigadier General, which honor
able position he held for a period of eleven
years. He, therefore, fully merits a Gen
erals title, but as there is no pride of this
kind in his composition, or any desire for
show or applause, he has never assumed
it. Four children were born to Mr.. Da-
vies. William S., the eldest young man
of bright promise, was cut off in the flower
of his years. He graduated at West Point
in the class of "a His death occurred at
Fort Wingate, February 4, 1888. He had
served from the time Of his graduating up
to his death. In 1884 he received promo
ton to a First Lieutenancy. Not his
father alone, but all who knew him,
mourned his death, for kind-hearted and
generous, he was a man esteemed and
liked by all. Mrs. Davies died in Stock
ton in 1875, and the youngest daughter,
Mrs. Laura H. Graham, in this city in
1887 The other two, Mrs. Kate McKune
and Thomas A. Davies, reside in this city.
Except to the Masonic body Mr.. Davies
belongs to few clubs or societies. In Ma
sonry, however, he is prominent, and has
been for many years. He is P. g. NJ. of
the Grand Lodge, Past Grand High
Priest of the Grand Chapter, R. A. NJ;
Past Grand Master of the Grand Council,
r. and S. NJ; Past Grand Commander of
the Grand Commandery, Knights Tenn
plar; Past Grand Commander-in-C Chief
Grand Consistory and President of Conven-
ton of High Priests.
In manner Mr.. Davies is pleasant and
cordial He is entirely unassuming and
courteous to all he comes in contact with
He has had his share of sorrow in the loss
of his wife and children, but this he has
borne with true Christian resignation.
Warm hearted and generous in all his i'm
pulses that he has the esteem of all who
know him is but natural. His has GER
tainly been an honorable and industrious
career, and in this very fact there is eu-
logy higher and fuller than could be PEN
ned of him. In his record, indeed, his
people have every reason for justifable
pride.
GETTING SQUARE.