Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-07-13

81 test year he received the degree Of
LID from that venerable institution.
SKETCH OF MR.. DAVIS.
Ex-senator Henry G. Davis, Of West virginia.
Is in his eighty fret year Born on November
IT, ls2s, at Woodstock Nd, Mr.. Davis has risen
from farm boy, with few advantages, 70 be the
possessor OF a fortune estimated IN the null
Hons. Besides having been a United States
senator from West Virginia for two terms, he
has held many positions OF honor. lie has bfen
one of the lea lug spirits in the development OF
West Virginia. He was born on farm, and
his early education WAS what he could get In
the winter In tins country schools In Howard
county. Since then he has built railroads, or.
ganized tanss. opened coal mines and has
raised his voice IN the councils OF those who
direct the course OF the government.
After the death Of his father MIR. Davis
worked on q plantation to help support his
mother, and ON the completion of the Baiti
more 4 ohio railroad Ia that neighborhood he
was employed as brakeman. He became
conductor. and then was made station agent In
piedm INT. near the crest of the Ale ;hany
mountains.
Here Mr.. Davis went Into business with two
of his brothers. deaiing in general merchandise,
and by shipping coal and lumber laid the
foundation of his fortune Much Of his earn
ings he Invested in land in West Virginia, and
that state he made the scene Of his future oper-
ations and his home-in n town bearing the
name Of his son.inlaw. Senator Elkips.
Always democrat. Mr.. Dayis's public ser.
vice began In 1865, when he was elected TO the
house of delesatas of West visginia. He
served two terms IA state senator. aud in ls7I
was sent to the U.,itcd States senate. lie was
reelected and might have had third term, but
he declined because of his business interests.
| Mr.. Davis was United States senator WI :
! Representative Richard r. Bland first intro.
duced his silver dollar coinage bill. In the DE-
bate on this measure Senator Davis argued that
1t was unconstitutional to demonetize silver
holding that the reconciliation of the silver
dollar and making II full legal tender would
make It equal In value to the gold dollar. Ht
| favored the reconciliation of silver because /,
was one of the country's chief products and
because he heh It would relieve the country's
financial distress. restore confidence and bring
back prosperity. He opposed, however, any
suggestion to change the weight of the silver
dollar from 4is X grains.
Named frequently for the governorship OF
West Virginia. Mr.. Davis never could be pre-
vailed on TO accept the nomination. He was
member OF the Intercontinental railway com
mission ami was chairman of the American
delegation to the Par american. congress-
| He Is the president OF several railroad com
panies and other commercial enterprises. and
until recently. Travelled constantly over the
country on matters Of business.
| hr.bavis's wife, whom he married In 1853
was Miss Kate o. Bantz. of Frederick. Md
| They had FIVE children. Mr.. Dayis's benefae
lions are many. especially in the line Of educa
tional Institutions. He recently erected II
| Eikins a handsome memorial to his son. Henry
| g., jr, who was drowned eight years ago
When the wife Of his only remaining son, JOIN
T.. presented him with a grandson. two year,
ago. Mr. Davis made a gift of 100000 to tn,
| youngster.