The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-09-20

turned to the farm. About this time
the Civil war was at its height, and he
enlisted in Battery B, 3rd Pennsylva-
mia Artillery, serving nearly two years
in the Naval Brigade, commanded by
Gen. Graham, and doing duty in the
waters of southeastern Virginia and
eastern North Carolina. He was with
Grant during the siege OF Richmond
and Petersburg, and participated in
number of skirmishes and battles.
After the war Mr.. Davis attended
the Rimersburg Academy, and the fol-
lowing year taught a country school,
He continued teaching in the winter
and attending school in the summer
until 1859. when, at the age OF twenty
two he took charge of the West Free
dom Academy, and conducted success
full school, While principal at West
Freedom, he organized National
Guard Company, and in March, 1872,
was elected captain. He has been u
member OF the National Guard for
twenty-seven years, and has held almost
all grades from private to battalion
major, and division judge advocate. In
1874 Mr.. Davis was elected principal of
the academy at Rimershurg, and the
following year was elected county super
intendent OF schools. He was twice
reelected, and in all served eight years.
In 1883 he was invited by State Superin-
tendent Higbee to accept position in
the Department of Public Instruction
at Harrisburg. This position he held
four years, during which period he
went to Alaska, in 1885, to organize the
''Industrial Training School for Ma
tives," which had been erected at Sitka
through the efforts OF DR.. Sheldon
Jackson. On his return from Alaska,
Mr.. Davis engaged actively in the es-
tabishment of the State Normal School
at Clarion, and succeeded in securing its
recognition by the State authorities
on February Is, 1887. He was immedi-
ately elected principal, which position
he has held for over twelve years. The
school has been prosperous under his
management, over 1000 students hav-
ing been graduated in its various
courses. His literary degrees are M. E.
| d., Edinboro State Normal School; M.
S., National Normal University, Leb-
anon, Ohio, and A. M, Bucknell Uni
versity, Lewisburg, Pa.
Mr.. Davis has had busy career,
never having been out of employment
a single week Except when sick) since
he left his home at the age Of fifteen.
He learned trade, taught in all grades
of schools from the country ungraded
school to high school principal, principal
OF academy, county superintendent,
superintendent OF Indian Training
School, school department officer and
normal school principal. He tried the
mercantile business for short time,
was thrice nominated for Congress by
the people of Clarion county, and once
by the conferees of his district. He
declined the honor and did not stand
for election.
When the president called for troops
to served in the war with Spain, Mr..
Davis was In command OF the National
Guard Company at Clarion. Although
it required great sacrifice on his part to
leave the Normal School and his family
TO launch into the uncertain fortunes ol
war, yet at the earnest request Of the
mothers OF the boys in the Company he
did not hesitate to accompany them tS
the field and remained with them unit
I their discharge after service Of nine