Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-01-09

1880 EA0 AAA%1 "a O0aAA11 4N1oA6SoA $3.50
Surrogate. Mr.. Davis managed to keep
the party organization together, a re-
markable feature of his leadership be-
ing that adversely did not lessen hin
popularity with the rank and file Cd
the party.
The Democrats came nto their own
again in 1907, when H. Otto Wittpenn
was elected Mayor over Pagan, who
had sought n fourth term. Mayor Witt
penn was reelected in 1903, again de-
feating Pagan. Mr.. Davis had lived
long enough to see Democrats installed
in every city and county office, and to
see a Democratic Governor and Legisla-
ture.
Davis became q factor In the politics
strumental In bringing about the nomi-
nation of the late Chancellor Alexan-
der McGil1 for Governor. In the con-
vention OF 1898 he aided in the nomina-
ton OF the late Elvin Crane, who was
the choice of the Essex County De-
mocracy. Davis figured prominently In
the convention OF 1901 advocating the
nomination of the late James M. Sey-
mour. Of Newark, despite the protests
OF the Essex delegation He was also
instrumental in bringing about the
nomination OF Charles C. Black In 1904
and Frank Katsenbsch in 1907.
Sponsor for Wflsea.
With former United States SsnatoT
James Smith, IT., he stood sponsor for
Governor-eleot woodrow Wilson In tho
convention Of last September, after
having elected delegates despite the
opposition of Mayor H. Otto Wtttpenn
and his followers.
Mr. Davis WA n delegAAe-et-iarge
and q district delegate TO several ma
tional conventions. He was q stronS
admirer of William ]. Bryan
Robert Davis vas one OF tho eleven
children of William n Eliza Davis
With the death Of Mrs Davis in 1903.
at the age Of 90 years. Mr.. Davis was
the only remaining member OF the fam
lily. He was born in the County Car
low, Ireland, In 184S. and at the age OF
4 years he came to this country with
his parents. MI. Davis always Lived In
Jersey City. William Davis, h head
of the family, died In 1853, leaving q
widow and two Sons, William and Rob
ert, and two daughters. Mary and Eliz-
abeth. The other members Of the fam
lily were then In their infancy. William
Davis, who was a few years older than
his brother Robert, was killed on the
battlefield during the War OF the Re-
bellion.
Mary Davis married Charles O'Netll
who Ia at present doorman in ths
Communipaw avenu police station.
and Margaret married Thomas Robin
con, who at his death was engaged in
A.. ruA1toaoIa ltnttnr ht1ainanc 10Th
died several years ago
With the death of his older brother,
Robert Davis became the head of the
family, and at the age OF eleven years
he was obliged to leave 81 Peters Pa
rochial School, where he had been a
pupil, and seek employment. From THAI
time on he wa the sole support Of his
mother, who lived with him up to ths
time of her death.
MT. Davis's first employment WA
with Samuel Hetherington, a plumber
and gasfitter. Having learned the
trade of gas1tter he obtained employ
ment with the Jersey City Gas Com
pany, remaining with that concern
until his election as Sheriff. His duties
consisted mostly of reading gas
meters and making collections. He
visited all parts OF the city and came In
contact with householders and business
men. This gave him a wide circle OF
friends and ac~quaintances and he be-
came one OF the best known men in the
city wen before he entered the politi-
cal Geld.
Married Three Times.
Mr. Davis was married three times.
His frst wife was Margaret O'Rourke,
to whom he was married In December.
1875. She died In 1892 leaving fou sons,
William, Robert IT., George and
Joseph. All are alive except William,
who died a little over a year ago. Mr..
Davigs second marriage was to Mary
C. Dugan, November 26. 1908. h dad
a year later after the birth of a son,
Hugh Davis, who Is away; the surviv
ing children of Mr.. Davis's, Robert,
jr., and George Davis. are married.
Mr.. Davis was married for the third
time January 2 Of this year to Anna
Toppin, a lifelong friend. and who had
aided in caring for him in his illness
Mr.. Davis was active In Democratic
politics from the time he cast his first
ballot. Even before h a his advice
was sought by men twice his 6 who
had political ambitions. Before he at
tanned his majority he could be found
any night In the engine house of old
No. 4 Hose, in Bright street, which Is
now the office of the overseer Of the
poor and the headquarters of the Ex-
empt F1remen's Association.
These were the good old days OF the
volunteer department and Davis. In his
later years, always liked to tell of the
flre-fghting ability of the old vaTnps
There was much good natured rivalry
among the members of the several
companies.
1t was natural for MI. Davis to drift
into politics. 1t wasn't long before the
Democratic leaders of the old First
Ward. In which Davis lived all his life,
though the territory Ia now known as
the Fourth Ward, discovered that he
WAS a man to be reckoned with. He
was elected to the Democratic County
Committee from his voting district be-
fore he was rs years old and he hal
been a member Of that body ever since.
From the momen he entered the com
mittee he was a factor in the affairs
Of the party.
Mr. Davis's early ambition was to
be a member OF the Board OF Fire Com
m~issioners. He had refused many ap-
pointive places because he liked the
work In which he was engaged and his
employers did 10 want to lose his SER