The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-12-30
HALF CENTURY
Of Welded Life Celebrated
by an Alliance
Couple.
A MUSICAL FAMILY

Alliance, O., Dec. ga happy, re-
spected and beloved old couple were
the principals in one of the prettiest
golden weddings ever held here and
which. occurred at the home of Mr. and
Mrs. George Barker at their beautiful
home at GAS South Liberty avenue in
this city.
Mr.. and Mrs. Evan T. Davis of this
city were married on December goth,
1854 and the golden wedding anniver-
sary was held at the home of their
daughter, Mrs. Parker on Christmas
day. The couple were married in
Wales on the above date, the brides
maiden name having been Mary T.,
Thomas. They moved to America in
1850 ard located in Johnstown, Pa, in
1861. Later they moved to Mineral
Ridge, o., and in 1882 to Alliance
where they have since lived. Eight
children were born of the union, four
of these, Mrs. George Parker, Mrs.
Lizzie Davis Donnely Of Barberton and
Thomas and Alexander Davis of this
city still surviving.
The family is one noted for it's mu-
sic and when Mr.. and Mrs. Davis To-
| Gated in Johnstown the former took
| charge of one of the prominent ChOirs
| of that place. In Mineral Ridge he also
| had charge of two chairs. While here
! he organized a choir of members of
his family and devoted his time to
| giving family concerts for the benefit
! of churches. At an Eisteddfod held at
| Youngstown in the early seventies Liz
| zie Davis was crowned Nightingale of
Ohio" by AniIen Jones, famous
! singer of New York who had been
selected as judge of the contest
Soon after this event Mr.. Davis gave
UP choir work and took up the family
concert work entirely with his wife
and his daughters Mrs. Parker and
Lizzie Davis accompanying him. The
quartette covered Pennsylvania repeat.
edly with marked success and later
| journeyed through Wales singing in al
the principal cities of the land noted
for its music and everywhere they
went they were received with hearty
applause. On returning to the United
! States the sons, Thomas and AleXan.
der and a daughter Ira Belle, now de,
ceased, joined the company and trav'
elled with them through Pennsylvania
Ohio, New York and Maryland singing
in all the large cities.
Mr.. Davis has sung in 16 trio con
tests and in each case the THO in which
he sang was given the prize. He i!
now 72 years of age but still retains
his beautiful deep bass voice. Hi!
wife is Il and her voice also still re
tains its sweetness. The family as
whole is a very remarkable one anC
few families are blessed with such tai
ent as are the members of this one.
At the golden wedding ceremony
there were present 81 children anC
grandchildren and the affair was {
very pleasant one. Mr.. Parker, who il
an expert electrician had decorated
the house with beautiful colored in
candescent electric lights AMI flowers
and many other decorations were il
evidence The time was spent in sing
ing Welsh So and Mr. Davis de
lighted all present by his beautiful
bass solos. Mrs. Donnely also delight
ed the~guests with solos and rendition
of sacred songs.
Before parting a purse of gold and
bunch of carnations from the children
were presented to the aged couple b,
Attorney W. M. Roach, who made
very pretty presentation speech ant
expressed the respect and love of al
who knew the two in his tribute /,
them.
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