Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1897-07-22
JAMES F. DAVIS.
DEATH OF ELLSWORTH'S FIRST
MAYOR.
A LONG, BUSY AND USEFUL LIFE -
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER
THE FUNERAL.

Ellsworth was last week called to
mourn the loss of one OF her chief citi-
zens. A man who for more than fifty
years has been prominent in her councils,
and whose influence has always been on
the side of civic righteousness and per-
| sonal integrity.
Mr.. Davis was born in Hollis, Jan. 6,
1917. He WAS the son OF Moses and Mary
(Elden) Davis, and his father was
prominent citizen OF Hollis in the days
when that little town was throbbing with
business enterprise.
The son, James, came to Ellsworth in
1871 in the employ Of his older brother,
Simon b. Davis, who was running mill
above the Falls. The next year he en-
tered the employ OF Enos Woodman, Of
Saco to manage the manufactured box
shocks at Ellsworth Falls. 1t fell to him
to do much Of the prospecting for lumber
in the wilds OF Maine, and he knew all
this part OF the State thoroughly. Many
men still living will remember the active
but unassuming young man who was
then in the full vigor OF his manhood,
and able to more than hold his own
against all Corners.
In 1850 Mr.. Davis gave up the lumber
business and, moving to the village, in
company with Capt. Samuel Lord, bought
out the hardware business of w. X. Nor
rison. A few years later he became he
sole proprietor, and built up large and
lourishing business. He continued this
enterprise till his death, but as his
strength failed his business declined 1t
never occurred to him that he might take
advantage OF the failure OF so many OF
those indebted to him and effect settle
ment with his creditors. This was one of
the reasons why he retained to HE last
the highest rating in the commercial reg
i,ters, and why his business associates
We're his warm personal friends. Mr.. Da-
Wis was not only man whose word was
good as his bond, he was man whose
word was his bond. Beyond all legal
claims he recognized the moral claims,
and above them both he acknowledged
the claims of brotherhood.
ELECTED sELECTHAN.
In 1850 Mr. DAVIS was elected one OF he
seleetm men OF frlswort II, and was reelected
year after year. All through the civil
war he was charged with the responsI bill
tires OF those days Many soldiers
widow and orphan children in those try
ing times found in him Il safe counselor
and a -ympat hetic friend, and smiled
through their tears to hear this man
speak to them in his hopeful, kindly way.
| Many blessings were poured on the head
of him who could discharge painful,
official duty with the kindness Of
brother and the tenderness OF a father.
These things form no part OF war records
as men write them, but the angels write
deeds such as these in large letters in the
books now sealed, but which are to be
opened in the Great Day.
ELLsWoRTHS FIRST MAYOR.
In 1869, largely through his efforts, Els
worth became a city, and Mr.. Davis was
elected the first mayor. 1t was he who
put the municipal government in work.
ing order, and after two years term,
declining a reelection, turned it over to
his successor with every department thor
oughly organized. He was again elected
mayor in 1879, 1880, 1888, 1890 and 1891.
In one instance he was practically the
only contestant as the democrats agreed
not to name candidate II he would con-
sent to run. Only few scattering votes
were thrown against him. His manage
ment Of the city's finances was OF such
high order that one of the leading citi
zens was heard to say one day last week
that il James +. Davis had been mayor
every year, instead OF every fourth year
On an average, the city would have
been out OF debt, and have had just as
much to show AS it has now.
When the Hancock county savings
bank vas Incorporated in 1873, Mr.. Davis
was one OF the directors, and in 1852 he
was elected president. When the Bur
rill national bank was established he was
made one OF It's directors. Both these
Offices he held at the time of his death.
The elegant floral tributes sent by these
two banks on the day OF the funeral bore
witness to the high esteem i'll which he
Vas held by his associates.
COUNTY TREASURER.
On the death of the county treasurer in
1856, Governor Bodwell appointed Mr..
Davis to I'LL the vacancy. He was elected
to the Office the following year, and held
it by re election till January, 1897. These
were his only public offices, and their
maximum of care and responsibility with
their minimum of compensation are evil
dences of the public spirit of the man.
When the question OF building house
of worship for the Congregational society
was first suggested Mr.. Davis, though not
a member of any church, was one of the
earIiest to pledge himself 10 the suppOrt