USA > Pennsylvania > Prominent and progressive Pennsylvanians of the nineteenth century. Volume II > Part 10
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GWILYM G. DAVIS.
O no branch of medical science have the past few years brought greater advancement than to surgery. Modern methods have superseded old practices, and new ideas have forced aside what have been cher- ished beliefs. Constant study and never-ending investigation here, as elsewhere, has had its effect, and the efforts of deep thinkers and earnest experimenters have been crowned with the wreaths of success. The benefits conferred upon the world by these devoted servants of science cannot be over-estimated. The many who have been restored to their physical strength, and the thousands of lives which have been saved by the surgeon's art, point out a record of progress remarkable to the age. The men, however, who have made this progress possible, have not been those who have entered the profession lightly. It is such earnest seekers after knowledge as Dr. Gwilym G. Davis, of Phil- adelphia, who, by infinite research, have brought surgery from an almost primitive state to its present degree of usefulness. T
GWILYM GEORGE DAVIS was born in Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania, on the 20th day of July, 1857. He is the son of Thomas Rees Davis, of Llandyssil, Cardiganshire, South Wales, who came to America when a young man, and who was for forty years one of the officers of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The great- grandfather of the subject of this biography was David Davis, D.D., of Castle Howell, Cardiganshire, and one of the most cele- brated Welsh poets of his day. Dr. Davis' mother was Catherine Fosselman, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, whose ancestors, four gen- erations back, had been natives of Germany. His early schooling was received in the public institutions of Philadelphia, where he
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has lived since his infancy. In these schools he pursued a full course, graduating in 1876 at the Central High School, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and having conferred upon him, in 1881, the higher title of Master of Arts. Soon after the completion of his course at the High School, he decided to become a physician, and, in the spring of 1876, he matriculated in the Medical Depart- ment of the University of Pennsylvania. Here he pursued his studies with his usual assiduity, graduating in March, 1879, and winning the Henry C. Lea prize of $100 for the best graduation thesis on the Minute Anatomy of the Liver, and receiving also honorable mention for his anatomical work. Desiring, however, the very widest knowledge that could be gained in the field of general surgery, he entered St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, and was graduated at the Royal College of Surgeons of England in the spring of 1880, receiving the qualification of "Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England." From this latter institu- tion, he went for half a year to France, visiting its hospitals and studying French surgical methods. After concluding his studies there, he entered the University of Gettingen, Germany, where, in ISSI, he received the degree of M.D., cum laude. With this wide and varied experience, and such a superior medical and surgical knowledge, he was splendidly equipped for the practice of his profession, upon which he entered immediately on his return to Philadelphia.
He was Resident Physician to the Pennsylvania Hospital from May, 1881, to October, 1882 ; has been Assistant Surgeon and Sur- geon to the Orthopedic Hospital since 1883 ; Out-Patient Surgeon, and, later, Surgeon to the Episcopal Hospital, since 1884; nine years Out-Patient Surgeon to the Children's Hospital; Surgeon to St. Joseph's Hospital for the past seven years ; one of the Instruc- tors in Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania for fourteen years, and was Surgeon at the German Hospital for four years.
Despite the hard mental labor involved in his educational course, Dr. Davis has always been of a social temperament, and was extremely popular among his fellow students, taking an especi- ally active interest in Greek Letter Societies. He is a member of
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the Phi-Kappa-Psi College Fraternity, and the Alpha-Mu-Pi-Omega Medical Fraternity. Among the organizations with which he has become connected since his entrance upon the active practice of his profession are: The College of Physicians, of which he is a Fellow and a member of its council; the Philadelphia County Med- ical Society; the Pathological Society; the American Medical Association ; the American Orthopedic Association, of which he is a member, and the American Academy of Medicine, of which he is a Fellow. Dr. Davis is also prominent in Masonic circles, and is a member of Meridian Sun Lodge, No. 158, Free and Accepted Masons.
While Resident Physician at the Pennsylvania Hospital, serv- ing with the late Professor D. Hayes Agnew, Dr. Davis introduced and practiced antiseptic surgery. He is now devoting the bulk of his time and attention to his large surgical practice, paying special attention to the treatment of deformities. Finding that it would be useful in surgical operations, Dr. Davis took up the study of plaster modeling and photography, as well as a thorough course in mechanical studies, and now makes plaster casts and drawings of all specially interesting cases that come under his notice. Origi- nality and thoroughness characterize his work. Few members of the medical profession have added more of real value to medical literature than has Dr. Davis, his treatises being concise and greatly valued by his fellow physicians. His work on Bandaging is recog- nized by the profession as one of the most complete expositions of the subject extant. Besides his many contributions to the litera- ture of the profession, he has also written an extended narrative from the notes of Dr. Keely, one of Lieutenant Peary's associates in his explorations in the North, entitled "In Arctic Seas, or the Voyage of the Kite," and for it, as for his many theses and pub- lications, Dr. Davis has made his own illustrations.
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Joshua Davis
JOSHUA DAVIS.
T HE opportunities afforded by the increase in tlie industrial enterprise and wealth in the State of Pennsylvania, during the past half century, for the advancement of men endowed with ambition and enterprise have been so many and so thoroughly recognized, that among the most prominent sons of the Keystone State are a number who bear the proud distinction of being self- made 11c1. There are many Pennsylvanians who have risen in life unaided and solely by their own indefatigable enterprise and sturdy ambition. Joshua Davis is one of them. He is recognized as one of the leading men of the western part of the State, and the history of his career tells an interesting story of progress made step by step.
JOSHUA DAVIS was born in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, February 6, 1843. His father and mother had emigrated from Wales a short time before his birth and settled in the mining dis- trict. Their son inherited many of the traits of liis Welsh ances- try, his attachment to the family home and his steadiness of pur- pose being among them. His early education was received in the common schools of Ebensburg, the county seat of Cambria, and, even as a boy, he evinced the business judgment and talents, which, in later years, proved the groundwork of his success.
The war broke out while he was still a stripling, but he entered the ranks of the Union Army at once and served with credit throughout the struggle, taking part in a number of import- ant battles. His military service postponed his business start by that many years, and when, in 1867, he finally entered the business field of Ebensburg, he was twenty-four years old. The venture gave
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promise of success and the young merchant needed only this hope of prosperity to warrant his assuming a responsibility which up to that time he felt it would be unwise to take. On Novem- ber 1, 1867, therefore, a few months after he was married to Miss Hannah Howells, of Ebensburg, he removed his residence and business to Kane, where he saw a wider and brighter field open- ing for his enterprise. The borough in which he established himself as a general merchant developed rapidly, and among those who aided in its growth and progress there were few more active and enthusiastic than the young merchant himself. In a few years he was on the smooth road to success. This beginning was not without a hard struggle for Joshua Davis, who is "self made " as far as business success is concerned. Foreseeing the future of the borough, he bought land in the vicinity of Kane and his investment yielded him a return of a kind and size he had not counted on, for on the discovery of the riches that lay beneath the surface ready to be drawn out through the oil wells, prospec- tors found that some of the most valuable oil springs in the vicinity were on Mr. Davis' property, but these rich fields were not sold to purchasers who sought to gain their control before their true worth was developed, and the business judgment of their owner was exercised in such a way as to bring him the best possible results. Kane's prosperity, as a result of the oil fields, underwent a rapid "boom," and Mr. Davis, whose fortunes have always been woven with the fortunes of the town, was wise enough to ride the wave at its crest. As a builder, he erected the first house in the business end of the borough, and put up many of the important structures that now bear witness to the town's advancement. As an investor, he became a member of the bank- ing house of McDade, Davis & Co., a member of the Kane Gas, Light and Heating Company, and a heavy stockholder, often the controlling one, in many of the enterprises that started up with the realization of the town's resources. In 1886, disposing of his mercantile interest, he began the manufacture of brush handles, and was also a member of Howells, Moffitt & Company, engaged in the production of clothes-pins, an industry which has grown to re-
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markable proportions. He founded the LaMount Chemical Works and he became its Secretary and Treasurer. Mr. Davis is Presi- dent of the Kane Board of Trade, and has been active in that body from its organization.
In January, 1894, Judge Morrison appointed him Chief Bur- gess of Kane Borough to fill the vacancy caused by the resigna- tion of Walter B. Smith. The appointment, a temporary one, was confirmed by the vote of the citizens on February 19, 1894, Mr. Davis being nominated on the Republican ticket. His administra- tion as Chief Burgess has reflected much credit on his judgment. Mr. Davis, who is an active member of the Kane Congregational Church, is also prominent in secret orders, being a member of Kanc Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; of Kane Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; of the Scottish Rite of Erie, and of Knapp Com- mandery, Knights Templar, of Ridgeway. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He has one son and two daughters-William H. Davis, manager and part owner of the brush-handle factory; Cora May Davis, and Anna Rachel Davis. In liis private life, as well as his business affairs, Mr. Davis is a conscientious, painstaking and liberal man. His family is a happy one, and he is a model father. Personally, as well as politically, Mr. Davis is warmly popular and numbers his friends by the many score.
EDWARD S. DEEMER.
Y no means the least important factor in promoting B the progress of the State and in advancing the general interests of the rank and file of the people has been the establishment and development of the various organizations which served to cherish American patriotism and to promote the welfare of the large class constituting the industrial workers. In the same energetic manner the prosperity of the numerous smaller financial organizations has been attained by men capable of understanding business details down to the smallest item. Pennsylvania is renowned for the numerical and financial strength of its building and loan asso- ciations, and in Edward S. Deemer these organizations for mutual aid and the equally important patriotic orders have an active and remarkably able representative. Mr. Deemer has served for thirty- four years as Secretary of the State Council of Pennsylvania, of the Junior Order of the United American Mechanics, and in the promulgation of the interests of several leading building associa- tions he has been as actively identified. A close student of busi- ness details and a man of energy, he has attained considerable success in his chosen field of labor.
EDWARD S. DEEMER was born in Philadelphia, October 12, 1840, and, for a period of fifty-seven years he has been a resident of his native city. His father was John Deemer and his mother Sarah A. Deemer, and they were both possessed of physical quali- ties and mental abilities of a high order, which were vested in their son, Edward. He was sent to school at Eleventh and Thompson streets, where, under Joseph H. Shreiner, he imbibed the fundamental principles of education. He afterwards studied
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under Edward Gideon, now of the Meade Grammar School. He was admitted to the Central High School and remained there for a year or so, when, like most young men of his age, he decided that he would rather enter into some business occupation and give utp his schooling, preferring the practical lessons of business life to the theoretical ones of the schools. Accordingly, in September, 1855, he obtained a situation as clerk with Jones, Deemer & Holman, morocco manufacturers. He familiarized himself with the morocco trade thoroughly, and mastered all its details in the course of six years. In 1861 he became associated with his father under the firm name of John Deemer & Son. Upon the death of his father the firm became known as John Deemer's Sons, and as such conducted one of the largest manufactories of morocco in the city. The firin was dissolved in 1877. Mr. Deemer's knowledge of business was further increased during a period of several years when he was connected as bookkeeper with the establishments of T. P. & S. S. Smith, Robert D. Smith, John Krider and John T. Siner.
When the firm of John Deemer's Sons retired from business, Edward S. Deemer gave himself entirely to the work which he best liked, that connected with his financial duties in the several organizations of which he was the leading spirit. He has been Secretary of the Radiant Star Building and Loan Association, No. 2, for twenty-three years, and for twenty-nine years he has been an officer of the National Council of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, serving during that time as Secretary. In the thirty-seven years during which he has been a member of the State Council of Pennsylvania, he has served thirty-four of them as Secretary of that body. Mr. Deemer is one of the Board of Directors of the Oak Lane Building and Loan Association, in which capacity he is actively connected with the advancement of financial and real estate interests in that section of the city, contingent upon which is the development of a large section of valuable land. In the interests of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, however, Mr. Deemer has spent the greatest part of his time, and he holds the confidence of this organization to
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a large degree, enjoying the distinction of being the only mem- ber upon whom has been conferred the honor of Past National Councillor.
On April 9, 1867, Mr. Deemer was married to Miss Kate A. Mecauley, daughter of Thomas J. Mecauley. They have had no children. In the management of the affairs of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, Mr. Deemer now has his chief interests, being constantly engaged in the work of extending the order throughout the State, and strengthening it wherever it has already been established. In the financial and business conduct of the building associations with which he is connected, Mr. Deemer spends a considerable part of his time, and in these offices he is generally recognized as a leader of the most progressive type.
HOLSTEIN DE HAVEN.
N O better instance of the progress which has marked the past ten years or so could be found than in the immense improvements in real estate through- out the city of Philadelphia. The advancement of the entire Commonwealth is reflected in its chief city, and the progress of that community is indicated by the great improvements in building and real estate. The large interests involved in these operations call into requisition the ability of skillful conveyancers and real estate brokers, and one of the most successful of these, in fact, one who thoroughly represents the most progressive type of the wide-awake business man, is Holstein De Haven, whose office is at 617 Walnut Street. Mr. De Haven is a native and life-long resident of Philadelphia, and is one of the inen most active in its affairs.
HOLSTEIN DE HAVEN was born July 21, 1843, in the District of Spring Garden, Philadelphia. His father was Hugh De Haven, and his mother was Mary Cleaver De Haven. His great-grand- father was Peter De Haven, a well known Philadelphian during the Revolutionary period, and keeper of the government stores at French Creek. Holstein De Haven received his education in the public schools, and studied in the Central High School, of Phila- delphiia, graduating, after a four years' course, from that institu- tion in 1862. When he left school, Mr. De Haven determined to acquire a knowledge of conveyancing, and, accordingly, he entered the office of Cash & Redner, and was afterwards with Louis H. Redner, remaining with the latter for three years. He mastered the business in its every detail, and acquired quite a reputation for thorough-going ability and trustworthiness. On January I,
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1866, he became associated in the management and development of the Norris Fair Hill estate, comprising over 500 acres in the northern part of the city, meanwhile continuing to carry on his business as a conveyancer and real estate broker. Mr. De Haven identified himself with all the progressive movements and the improvements inaugurated in the administration of the affairs of conveyancing and real estate, and soon became one of the lead- ing men in his line. He has been a Notary Public since 1869, and a member of the Conveyancers' Association, of Philadelphia, since 1871. The trust which became his, in connection with the management of the Norris estate, received his every care and attention, and he demonstrated more thoroughly than ever his fitness for such offices of importance.
Mr. De Haven was one of the incorporators and is now a Director in the Real Estate, Title, Insurance and Trust Company of Philadelphia. He is a Director of the United Firemen's Insur- ance Company, and is connected in an official capacity with sev- eral other large corporations. Recognizing in him a man thoroughly able and trustworthy, Governor Hastings appointed him, in 1895, one of the Commissioners of the Valley Forge Park, and he is now Secretary of that Commission. Mr. De Haven is an active life member of the Union League, of Philadelphia, in which organization he takes a great pride and interest. He is a member of the Sons of the Revolution, and is also enrolled in many sim- ilar organizations of importance. He is one of the best known conveyancers in the city of Philadelphia, and, in the management of real estate, and all questions bearing upon the valuation of properties and similar financial operations connected with mort- gages or real estate, he is a recognized authority. His chief interests at present are found in connection with prominent oper- ative builders and in the management and development of large tracts of real estate, including the Norris estate and that known as Strawberry Hill. The latter was formerly the country seat of Mrs. Agnes Dundas Lippincott, at the northeastern part of the city. Mr. De Haven also occupies positions of trust such as executor, trustee, guardian and in all matters relating to real
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estate, conveyancing, investments and the official duties of a com- missioner. In the division and partition of properties lie is a recognized authority. In this department he has been associated with some of the most important operations in building in the city.
On November 12, 1891, Mr. De Haven was married to Annah B. C. Gallup, daughter of Coffin Colket. Socially, Mr. De Haven is highly popular, and the organizations of which he is a member value his association. Personally, he embodies in his individuality all the qualities which go to make up the representative type of the Philadelphia gentleman.
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J. C. DELANEY.
ROM the coal mines to public life is a long step and one which it required many years to accom- plish. The story of a man who, beginning life under the most humble and limited conditions, passes through a long series of progressive stages and finally reaches a prominence in his community, is one which must necessarily entail the enumeration of many admirable quali- ties. Captain J. C. Delaney, who now occupies the important post of Superintendent of Public Grounds and Buildings at Har- risburg, furnishes an example of this in his own career. He was picking slate in the mines when he was only eight years old, but he advanced himself along life's highway until he reached the plain of prosperity and recognition. His record in the War of the Rebellion is a splendid one, and among his proudest honors is a medal which was bestowed upon him by Congress for con- spicuous bravery.
J. C. DELANEY was born in Ireland, April 22, 1848, his parents being people of humble circumstances, but admirable char- acter and sturdy physical type. He came to America when but five years old, and, three years later, when a mere child of eight, commenced to earn his living in the mines near Scranton, Penn- sylvania. At that time the slate pickers were among the newest and most novel types of wage earners and the methods of extract- ing coal from the earth were yet of the crudest description. For two years the boy worked at the screens picking slate and then went to work driving mules on the Delaware and Hudson Canal. At the age of twelve he worked at grinding bark in a tannery. Thus, through his entire boyhood, he received but little education
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and scarcely any opportunity to advance himself; but real merit will tell, and it was not long before the young man experienced a change in his manner of life.
In the spring of 1862 he enlisted as a private in Company I, One Hundred and Seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was a hardy soldier and a brave one, and his meritorious ser- vice and general excellence of character obtained his promotion several times. At the close of the war he was in command of his company and was looked upon with favor by his superior officers. He had many exciting episodes during the Rebellion, being captured no less than three times, at Bull Run, Gettysburg and Yellow Tavern, each time making his escape. Before long he had acquired a reputation of being one of the most gallant of Pennsylvania's soldier sons. For conspicuous gallantry at Dab- ney's Mill, Virginia, he was awarded the Congressional medal. All through the war he demonstrated that he was possessed of those qualities which invariably bring success to a man, and for the purpose of improving his opportunities, at the conclusion of hostilities he determined to acquire an education. With this end in view he attended the Kensington Academy one term and then obtained a position with the Lehigh Valley Engineer Corps, in which he found employment from 1866 until the road was completed. For his distinguished services in the Rebellion, and in recognition of his bravery and worth, President Johnson, in 1867, appointed Mr. Delaney Second Lieutenant in the Thirty- second United States Infantry. This was a deserved promotion and one which was well merited by such a hero of the Civil War, but, for family reasons, Captain Delaney declined the honor. He entered the political arena, where he displayed faculties equally as great as those evinced during the strife for the preservation of the Union. To his naturally able understanding he added the traits of experience and observation, and this combination made him one of the most successful men in the conduct of party politics.
In recognition of his worth and ability he was, in 1873, appointed Messenger in the Executive Department by Governor Hartranft, remaining until 1879, when he was made Senate Libra-
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rian, in which capacity he served until 1890. During his employ- ment by the State Department, Captain Delaney demonstrated that he was entirely worthy of all the confidence imposed in him. His activity, his honorable spirit and his determination to succeed gained him the confidence of all with whom he came in contact. In 1890, at the conclusion of eleven years as Librarian of the State Senate, Captain Delaney resigned, for he had been offered a position higher and more satisfactory. It was the rather impor- tant one of Receiver of Public Moneys at Oklahoma. In this capacity Captain Delaney served until his resignation was accepted by President Cleveland in 1893. He then returned to his own State, where, on March 28, 1895, he was commissioned Superin- tendent of Public Grounds and Buildings by Governor Hastings, and this office he now holds.
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