The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-12
|NS Rad RELATIVES
RESIDING III RICHMOND
keran Business Man Was Successful
From His Early
Youth.
kAN WITH ALTON PARKER.
! Much for West virginiar--Wealth
|nstimased at $50, 00o, 0O0-was q
Nan Of Great Physical Strength.


Nan Of Great Physical Strength.
Henry Gassaway Davis, former
htea states senator from West Vir~
la and vice-presidential candidate
the ticket with Judge Alton b.
rker as a Democrat IN 1904, who
ID In Washington early yesterday
rning, was brother of the late
hn B. Davis, who was for years
ntified with the commercial life OF
Edmond. He was also an uncle OF
3. James Leigh Jones. 2034 Monu-
Int Avenue. He has many other
htives In Virginia.
Henry Gassa way Davis remarkable
eer Ia q distinct announcements 70
eugenists who believe men should
In health a century. When ne
for the vice-presidency. the old
candidate ever known Tor tnat
ce, there was some criticism on
-corn, II Mr. Davis had been
cted. the end of his term would
strong mentally ana
Hstcally, and, indeed, a second ana
In third term of office would nave
ksed with his mind and body sun
daunted.
dr. Davis was born in Baltimore,
MEMBER 10. 1928, and received a
ARE education in public schools.
q very early age he was hard at
RI. He was the eldest OF five chill
In. and the death of his father. Ca
Davis, made him the family
adwinner.
while the younger children con-
ued in school. he toiied with his
nds ard later with his brains. to
bport them. At nineteen he was
a farm hand on a Maryland
imitation. A few years later he
b advanced to a brakeman on the
mitive freight train of that time.
rise in railroading was rapid. he
coon master of transportation
3 II said to have been the first man
risk sending out trains between
Fillmore and Cumberland at night
Young Davis saved his money and
tAme q merchant and coal lana
erator. His many ventures pros
led exceedingly. His coal lands rose
almost fabulous values.
Successful In Business.
He was also successful as railroad
kfder. Two of his lines were the
kst virginia Central and Plttsburg
Iiiway, which he sold to the Wabash
I1so2. and the Coal and Coke Rail
Iy of West Virginia.
AS far back as 1865, the year the
iii War ended, he entered public
|. He was member OF the House
Delegates OF the newly created
Sai state carved out OF seeding
rginIa. He was member of the
kst Virginia Senate In 1921 and
kn the Commonwealth sent him to
United States Senate for twelve
hrs HIS services in the Senate
minated In 1883, as he had declined
further term.
He also declined a chance to become
candidate for vice president on the
eveiand ticket ig 1884. but twenty
hrs later, In 1904. he became Alton
Pafker's runnif mate. Despite his
kt wealth. Senator Davis was a
|mocrat at heart, and he said when
Eapting the nomination that i'm
Eiaiism Is hurtful and abhorrent in
free government"
In six national Democratic conven-
ms Senator Davis led the delegates
bm West Virginia and always proved
factor TO be reckoned with. He was
10 a delegate to the First ard Sec
Ia Pan-American Congresses, and
|atrman OF delegates TO this second.
was q mem Der of the United states
ornament an-American Railway
Senator Davis possessed a hoard Of
liticai lore. for he had lived and
brkcsf ~s.t the-Ieaders OF America
three quarters of a century. His
orts to assist the peoples interests
IRE always recognized. In his Sen
! service he was known as the tn
ssant advocate of an agricultural
nix.
Did Much For West Virginia.
Although he never was able 10 put
rough the measures he advocated,
lived to see the principles for which
had fought widely accepted.
A large section OF West Virginia
IS almost created by the hand of
nator Davis. He built two towns,
9 OF which. Davis, bears his own
me. and the other. Elkins. that of
osn-in-law. His philanthropies
re numerous His wealth has been
imated at $50. 100000.
In 1904 he was seriously hurt by
ing thrown from hts horse. but he
Ickly recovered. In 1918. when
0brating his ninetieth birthday. he
the following rules for
cess in life:
.Observe the strictest integrity, !
Ike your word your bond. BE in
strtous, willing to work whether
hers work or not
PAY strict attention to details. also
ar obligations with cash and OBJ T
We economy the while. Be thor !
whly alive to every opportunity
thin your observation and. finally,
YER allow y-ur physical vigor TO be
parted by excuses of any kind"
Mr.. Davis in 1854 married Miss
.te A. Bantz. daughter OF Judge
teon Bantz. OF Frederick. Md. His
me was in Elkins. He leaves three |
Ildren: Mrs. Stephen Il. Elkins. /
dow of the late Senator Elkins, of
ut virginia, and Mrs. Arthur Lee. /
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