Representative Mahlon J. Davis View All Years

HON. MAHLON J. DAVIS.

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee appointed to draft resolutions commemorative of the life, public services and character of Hon. Mahlon J. Davis, a former member of this House, respectfully submits the following:

Hon. Mahlon J. Davis was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, on the 27th day of October, 1837, and closed his earthly labors, and went to his reward, at Lewis, Iowa, on the 2nd day of February, 1908.

As a young man, the subject of this sketch laid well the foundation for his chosen profession, that of medicine, by attending Airy View Academy for two years, and Kishacoquillas Seminary for three years, after which he spent two years in the study of medicine under Dr. D. M. Crawford, at Millerstown, Pennsylvania, and thereafter took a course at the Medical University, New York City, from which institution he was graduated in March, 1862. After having thus become so admirably equipped as a physician, he enlisted in the defense of his country’s flag, and was at once assigned to hospital duty in the city of Washington, where, after two years service, he was appointed surgeon of the Second New York Artillery. During 1864-5, he was surgeon-in-chief to the second corps on General Hazard’s staff, where he remained in faithful service until the grand review at Washington.

After the restoration of peace, Dr. Davis returned to his native state, and resumed the practice of his profession, having located at Newport, in Perry county. He was united in marriage in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, December 27th, 1864, to Priscilla K. Shuman, who with his three sons, William B. Davis, Lewis, Iowa, Brode B. Davis, Chicago, Illinois, and Charles P. Davis, Chicago, Illinois, survive him to mourn the loss of an indulgent and devoted husband and father.

In 1866 he removed to Lewis, Iowa, where he remained in the practice of medicine as an honored and skilled physician, until the year 1881, when he retired from the activities of his profession. This retirement did not mean, however, his retirement from the activities in carrying on the business of a reputable druggist and pharmacist at Lewis, in co-partnership with his eldest son, William B. Davis.

In his boyhood days he united with the Evangelical Lutheran church. Dr. Davis was always a gentleman, affable and courteous, and to the day of his death a stern adherent to that which he believed to be right, in all the affairs of life, but at the same time respecting the opinions of those who consistently differed from him. He formed warm and lasting friendships, and has been greatly missed in the community in which he had so long lived a spotless and upright life. He was a faithful and true husband, a kind father, a loyal friend to all, an advocate of right living, and a respected citizen.

In politics, Dr. Davis was an uncompromising republican, but at the same time, and over and above all, a lover of his country and its institutions, for which he consistently believed his party stood sponsor. For a number of years he was chairman of the Republican County Central Committee, but the opposition never questioned his motives as a man, nor his fealty to his country first. He was appointed postmaster of Lewis by President Grant in 1869, which position he held for seventeen consecutive years.

The subject of this memorial was a member, of the Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth General Assemblies, and within these walls he manifested at all times his strong principles of manhood, and his true loyalty and devotion to the teachings of his sainted mother. During both sessions he was chairman of the very important committee on pharmacy, and was the author and father of that law on our statute books which prohibits registered pharmacists from selling malt liquors, and also of a number of other important measures regulating the practice of pharmacy. As such chairman, and as such member, his sperial mission was that of advocating means and measures for the betterment of his fellow man, and the prosperity of .this commonwealth. He was a member of the Masonic order, and served the Lewis lodge for four years as Worshipful Master; and for five years was its representative in the State Grand Lodge of Masonry.

The funeral of this honored and respected citizen, which was held at the family residence, was conducted by the Masonic fraternity, Rev. F. W. Keagy, of the Lewis Congregational church, preached the funeral sermon, and the final rites at the cemetery were in accordance with the Masonic ritual.

Whereas, The long and honorable career of this honorable citizen should command our respect and goad us on to nobler achievements in this life; therefore, be it

Resolved, That we extend our sympathy to his widow and children, and that these resolutions be spread upon the Journal of this House; and, further, that the chief clerk be directed to send an engrossed copy thereof to the family of deceased.

D. P. HOGAN,

GEO. W. VANCAMP,

GORDON HAYES,

Committee.

Adopted.