Hon. John R. Davis was for many years one of Youngstown's most prominent and influential citizens, closely identified with her business interests and a potent factor in political life.

Mr. Davis was born at Paris, Portage County, Ohio on July 26, 1840, and died February 13, 1900. His parents, Rev. Reese [Davis] and Esther [Evans] Davis, were natives of Wales. The father, who was a pioneer Baptist preacher, came in 1830 to Eastern Ohio, where he labored with zeal and fidelity until his death, which took place in 1858 while he was filling a charge at Paris, Ohio. THe mother of Mr. Davis came to America with her first husband, in 1831. He died in the following year, and in 1833 she was united with Rev. Reese Davis, whome she survived until 1861.

The boyhood of John R. Davis was heathily spent on a farm and he was afforded excellent educational opportunities. In 1864, he enlisted in Company C, 155th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the [Civil] war.

After his marriage, in 1867, Mr. Davis became associated with his brother-in-law, W. J. Hughes, in a mercantile business at Youngstown, and was thus occupied until the winter of 1872, when he disposed of his interests to Mr. Hughes. From 1872 to 1877, official life claimed his attention, but in the latter year he embarked in a real estate and insurance business, in which he continued until his death.

His sons have continued the insurance business under the firm style of John R. Davis' Sons, with an office at No. 137 West Federal Street, Youngstown. Theirs is one of the largest and most important general insurance agencies in the city, representing the leading risk companies in the lines of fire, tornado, life, accident, health liability, burglar, plate glass and boiler insurance.

From early manhood, Mr. Davis took a deep interest in public affairs and in the period of the Civil War identified himself with the Republican party. In the fall of 1872 he was elected Sheriff of Mahoning County and was re-elected on the close of his first term, retiring on January 1, 1877. During his incumbency, the court house was moved to Youngstown. Aside from serving most acceptably as a member of the Youngstown Board of Education, Mr. Davis was not prominent in public life from 1877 until 1889, when his party elected him a member of the General Assembly, re-electing him in 1891. During his long term of public service he was no figure-head: the records of the sixty-ninty and seventieth general assemblies show how active he was in performing his full duty to his constituents and set forth the important measures that he presented, which subsequently were incorporated in the state laws.

On january 1, 1867, Mr. Davis was united in marriage with Maria S. Richards, who was borm in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Wiliam and sarah Richards and a sister of former Lieutenant-Governor Richards of Ohio. THe parents of Mrs. Davis were natives of Swansea, Wales.

The children born of this marriage were Albert R. and Charles W., both residents of Cleveland, Ohio, whree they are engaged in the insurance business; Sarah E., residing at No. 680 Bryson street, who is the wife of Chauncey A. Cochran, secretary of the Youngstown Iron & Steel Roofing Company, as well as of the Youngstown Pressed Steel Company; John R., residing at No. 427 Thomas street [Now Arlington street] who is a member of the general insurance firm of John R. Davis' Sons; and Ralph G., also a member of the firm.

From youth Mr. Davis was a consistent member of the Baptist Church and served that body at Youngstown as a deacon and trustee. He was a man who stood deservedly high both in public and private life and will be remembered whenever Youngstown's citizens of unblemished character, sterling integrity and great usefullness are remembered.