Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-11-15
cecil. COUNTY NEWS.


| EHNtrh VI tih AAHhf JAMES AZ IyAPiS--htBI-
ing OF the Agricultural Society Stock
holders--othzr Notes.
ELKToN, MD, Nov. 13.-Mr. James
A. Davis. of the firm of James A. Davis
y Son, Port Deposit, who died yester-
day OF consumption, aged 70 years, was
one OF the most prominent citizens OF
Cecil county. His death, while not I'M
expected, was o surprise to his many
friends. About two years ago he suf-
1eled severe attack of the grip, which
LETT him in feeble condition. He was
in Elkton about two weeks ago attend
ing d meeting of the directors of the
Second National Bank. lie also at
tended several of the Republican meet
ings in Port Deposit during the cam
paign just closed. About week ago
he was compelled TO go to bed.
lie was born in Cecil and received
his early education in the public school
of his native town. He learned the
trade Of a blacksmith and then engaged
in the lumber and coal business with
Mr.. Wilmer. After the dissolution of
this firm, MI. Davis and james b. Pugh
engaged in the same business. 1t was
uring the existence of this firm that
Mr.. Davis became known throughout
the state and throughout Lancaster and
Chester counties, Pennsylvania, as one
OF the best business men in the county.
The firm was afterwards dissolved and
his son, Anthony s. Davis, taken into
partnership.
When quite young man Mr.. Davis
became identified with the Wing party
and in 1858 was elected ON that ticket to
the Maryland Legislature. Again in
1874, at special election to elect mem
Der of the Maryland Legislature to fill
the unexpired term OF James Il. Groome,
who was made governor, Mr.. Davis,
then q Republican, defeated his Demo-
cratic opponent, Harry D. M. Howard,
BY handsome majority.
In 1879 he was candidate for the
Office OF clerk of the circuit court for
Cecil county against Alexander II. Bris-
coe OF Rising Sun, and Notwithstanding
the county at that time was Democratic
by at least 400 majority, Davis was
elected by nearly 300 majority. Again,
in 1885, his party, recognizing that he
was the strongest man in the party,
renominated him for the same Office.
His opponent on the Democratic ticket
was Ransom Il. Crothcrs, brother of
State Senator Charles q. Crothers. The
campaign was holly contested, and after
one of the most bitter fights in the his.
tory of the county, Mr.. Davis was
elected TO the office by over 800 majority.
He refused third term owing to the
condition of his health, and retired after
being in office IL years. Two sons and
one daughter survive him. His sons are
Anthony $. Davis, engaged in business
with his father, and James @. Davis,
who is employed in the Baltimore Gus
tom-house.
The regular annual meeting of the
stockholders of the Cecil County Agri-
cultural Society was held in the office ct
the society, on North street, Elkton, this
morning. John S. Writ was made chair
man and Henry NJ. Mccullough, secre-
tary. The report of the auditors showed
the society was in furnishing eondi-
tion,n Notwithstanding the stormy weather
that attended the last exhibition. The
sum of $1,000 has been paid on the
mortgage debt, which only leaves an in
debtedness of $4,000, with no floating
debt. All the premiums have been paid,
as Well as other expenses, and good
round sum still remains in the treasury
Tue lolloMiuS uilSCbol5 Wtre electeu LOT
the ensuing year: Messrs. George S.
Wooley, j. w. Harriott, q. Porter
Lusby, r. g. Lewis, Morris Dunbar,
Howard Bratton, HI, M. Mccullough,
Manly Drennen, Samuel @. Arbuckle,
w. A, Wilson, II. @. Mcdowell and
Samuel @. Rowland.
At the regular monthly meeting of
the school commissioners, held in Elk
ton to-day, it was proposed to organize
a teachers institute. President of the
Board Frank S. Bverists decided on
Elkion as the place TO hold the institute.
The time will be decided by Professor
Prettyman, secretary of the State board
of education. Miss Lula Brown of Elk
ton, was appointed assistant teacher of
school No. 2, Third district.
This Rev. Il. M. Knox of the Port
Deposit Presbyterian Church, has &C.
cepted call to the Presbyterian Church
at Watsontown, Pa. His resignation as
pastor of the church at Port Deposit has
been accepted.
At noon on Saturday fire destroyed
the outbuildings on the farm of John
Price, d few miles south of Cecilton,
together with the contents, including
several cattle.