Читать книгу History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 3 - Группа авторов - Страница 70

The village of New Rochelle, in which Mr. Davis now resides, is also the place of his nativity. He was born December 12, 1843, and traces his ancestry back to an old and prominent family of New England that was founded in America in 1665 by ancestors who came from Wales and located in Derby, Connecticut. His great-grandfather, Colonel John Davis, was born in Oxford, Connecticut, and was colonel of the Connecticut militia. The grandfather, Truman Davis, was born in Oxford, New Haven county, Connecticut, in 1787, and was a carpenter by trade, but in his later life he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He loyally served his country in the war of 1812, and died in his eighty-second year. His wife was Mary Allen, of Woodbury, New Haven county.

Captain Clark Davis, the father of our subject, was born in the town of Naugatuck, New Haven county, Connecticut, in 1815. Having attained his majority he wedded Mary Ann Toffey, a native of the town of New Rochelle, Westchester county. She died in 1880, leaving four children: George T. ; Mary Esther, wife of Homer Riggs, of New Rochelle; Anna Eliza, wife of Albert Cornell; and Francis H., superintendent of the New Rochelle Water Company. Captain Davis was for a time engaged in shipping interests, owning and running a sloop between New Rochelle and New York city, but the major part of his life was spent on his farm. He was one of the progressive men of the county, and was importuned to accept office, but always refused except in a few cases of local preferment. He died in October, 1898.

The boyhood days of George T. Davis were passed in his native town and there he acquired his literary education. He entered upon his life career as a farmer. In 1862 he enlisted in the Twenty-second New York Militia, Colonel Monroe commanding, and was sent to Baltimore, Maryland, later to Harper's Ferry. In 1863 he took part in the Gettysburg campaign, being in action at Hampton or Sporting Hill and Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

After receiving an honorable discharge Mr. Davis returned to the farm. In 1864 he entered an undertaking establishment and became thoroughly acquainted with the business in its various departments. He assisted his father in an undertaking business until 1871, when he opened his present establishment, and has since worked up a very large trade, having a splendidly equipped establishment, fine horses and excellent teams. His store is located on Huguenot street, and his reliability and honorable dealing have secured to him a good patronage.

In 1869 Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Palmer, of New Rochelle, daughter of John Palmer, and they are now parents of three children, — two sons and a daughter: George M., who is associated with his father in business; and Harry F. and Edith M., at home. The family occupies a leading position in social circles and the members of the household enjoy the hospitality of the best homes of New Rochelle, where intelligence and true worth are taken as the passports into good society.

In his political views Mr. Davis is an earnest Republican and always keeps well informed on the issues of the day. His fellow townsmen, appreciating his worth and ability, have called him to public office and he has served as trustee of the village one term and village clerk for five years. He is a member of Huguenot Lodge, F. & A. M., and Flandreau Post, No. 509, G. A. R., Old Guard of New York city. In 1898 he made strenuous efforts to enlist in the military service of this country against Spain, but his advanced age prevented his acceptance as a private, and radical changes in military tactics since the civil war prevented his taking a command. He started to raise a company, but the government refused to accept raw recruits. He always takes an active interest in all things pertaining to military affairs. He is treasurer of the New Rochelle Building & Loan Association and is a man of pronounced business ability who carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. For twenty-seven years he has been connected with the fire department of New Rochelle, and probably has done more than any other one man in perfecting the fire-alarm system. He was for a time foreman of the Hook & Ladder Company and of the Huguenot Engine Company, and for one year was chief engineer of the department. He is a public-spirited and progressive citizen who gives a loyal support to all measures for the public good. His life is one commanding the highest regard, for his fidelity to duty and honesty in business and his faithfulness to his friends have .won him unqualified confidence and good will.