The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-07-26

other resident OF these parts. Politically
he was one of the fathers of the Republic
can party and helped TO form 1t. He was
a leading abolitionist and the confrere
and personal friend of Charles Sumner,
William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips
and Abraham Lincoln. He represented
North Providence in the General Assem-
bly, from 1S45 to 1853, inclusive, and as
State Senator from 1877 to 1878. His
Providence constituents returned him to
the General Assembly as representative
from 1887 to 1890, inclusive, making Ia
consecutive years in State politics. He
also represented this district in the United
States Congress from 1853 to 1855. During
President Grants Ssc.H term campaign,
MIR. Davis became 4 Democrat, although
he always denied that he had swerved
from Republicanism. claiming that he
changed his vote then because OF the way
things were going in the Republican
party. Deceased also ably served on the
Providence school committee.
Mr.. Davis was one of the best known
business men of this city for years and
his reputation has extended all over the
world as being one of the largest manufac-
turing jewellers in the United States. He
was actively connected with the firm of
Sackett, Davis * Co., whose factory was
at the cornerof Richmond and Friendship
streets In 1878 the firm became finan-
cially embarrassed and five years later
weat into liquidation, Mr.. Davis paying
100 cents on the dollar, on his individual
account, and the firm settling FOR 90 cents
on the dollar. Later the firm became
merged into that of Foster & Bailey and
Mr.. Davis practically retired from active
business life, although retaining lively
interest in its affairs.
To Providence especially of recent years
Mr.. Davis endeared himself because ne
made possible the now famous Davis
Darl nf tho ffnnCt attrartiVa hrpat IN inc
places in the vicinity of the North End
and the city proper.
Here il located the famous Davis man.
sion, built by his own industry in 1861,
and one of the most noted residences in
New England. Even today the hardwood
finish OF the interior is well preserved,
not crack to be found in the walls or
floors. The city saw the desirability of
accepting Mr.. Davis offer to utilize this
famous estate as an outing spot for that
congested section, and secured 1t for
s75, 900. This included the buildings
which could not be duplicated for $50 600,
and practically meant 8 cents per foot for
the best land within one mile OF the city
hall, when all around land was selling
at 20 cents per foot. This really meant
an actual donation to the city OF about
S25, 600.
Everybody who has visited Davis Park
realizes what beautiful spot 1t is, a
combination OF wooded hills and fiowery
dells, and many an oldtimer recalls with
peausre the trailing arbutus, ferns and
other sylvan plants and berries to be
found there.
Mr. Davis understood that he could re-
main i'm the old house as long as he lived,
but, feeling that the city could better
use IL now, the thought OF remaining
there fretted him, and two weeks ago he
removed to Edgewood, where he died.
Mr.. Davis was married twice His first
wife was Miss Chase, daughter OF Mr..
William Chase, the former proprietor of
the old Pleasant Valley logwood mill,
whose other daughter welded Mr..
George l.. Clarke, His second wife was
Mrs. Pauline Wright, a literary woman OF
distinction, who died about ~ years ago.
Two daughters survive Mr. Davis, Mrs.
Arthur Scott and Mrs. Theodore W. Fos-
ter.
Deceased was n Unitarian in belief, al
though not a regular member OF any
church.
Councilman George l. vose, who had