The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-10-09
Prominent Banker and Friend Of All
keokuk Passes Away at Old
Family Home After
Lingering illness.
FORTY YEARS BANKING
Had Been Treasurer Of Independent
School District Of keokuk for
the Last Ton
Yeara

Thousands of people In Keokuk
| will mourn the death of Frank Wells
| Davis, who died at lis o'clock this
morning at the old family home, 215
| High street
He had been sick for long time,
and his recovery was deemed tmpos-
sible several moa.hs ago, but his
death came rather suddenly after he
began to sink fast yesterday. He
had had several strokes Of paralysis.
For forty years he had been bank
er and in that position had made the
whole city his friends. Everybody
knew Frank Davis, and everybody lik-
ed him.
HE was the most just man / ever
knew, In his ideas OF what is just and
right, and in this he was old fashion
ed and fine" said man this morn
ing who has been his lifetime friend.
1t was that strong tendency in his
character to do no man wrong that
knit to him host Of real friends.
A Placid, Very Useful Life.
He was man OF strong convictions
and insistent for the right at all
times, but nobody can recall ever see
ing him angry.
He led placid life, in his chosen
field of activity. in his home town.
and died leaving a memory that
places him among the most important
citizens OF Keokuk's history.
His biography is not long one in
the writing. because he did not par
ticipate in many different activities.
But 1t Is one that will live In the hearts
of those who were associated with
\, 1T IL
never sought public Office nor other
honors, and never did things to get
his name before the public-but he
wrote his name indehbly in the hearts
OF the public of Keokuk.
Born and Reared In keokuk.
He was born May 20, 1860, at Fourth
and Concert streets, his family being
one Of the Oldest and most promi-
nent In the city. 1t moved to the
corner Of Second and High streets,
and later the stone of that house was
used to build the present home In
which he died.
He never married but was devoted
to his family. Years of his life were
given to his mother, and this part Of
1t was most beautiful He and his
brother, James C. Davis. were close
chums always. He was devoted to his
sisters all his life.
There survive him the sisters, Miss
Anne B. Davis and Mrs. Frank NJ.
Fuller, and his brothers, James G.
Davis, of Chicago, and G. Forbes
Davis Of Seattle.
Banker Forty Years.
He was seventeen years old when
y
forty years ago as clerk. In June,
close contact with the public began
them Four years later he was elect
ed assistant cashier.
In January, 1909, he was elected
vice president of the bank, but re-
signed that position six weeks later
to become cashier on the death of
A. j. Matthias and he became the
trusted financial friend Of very many
business people and others, including
widows with investments. He was
faithful TO every trust.
He retained the position Of cashier
OF the bark until his death, although
he quit active service there at the
beginning of his illness.
Treasurer Of School District.
He was appointed treasurer Of the
Keokuk school district early in 1909.
and was reelected treasurer by the
people at every biennial election
since then. He held that Office when
he died.
James c. Davis arrived here at
$50 O'Clock this morning and Mrs.
Davis will arrive this evening. G.
Forbes Davis will not be able to get
here from the Pacific coast.
The funeral will be held from the
residence at O'Clock tomorrow af
ternoon, and the family requests that
flowers be not sent by friends.