BIOGRAPHY: Elmer E. DAVIS, Cambria County, PA 

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lynne Canterbury and Diann 
Olsen. 

Portions of this book were transcribed by Clark Creery, Martha Humenik, Betty 
Mirovich and Sharon Ringler.

USGENWEB ARCHIVES (tm) NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives 
remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in 
accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of 
providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by 
anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities 
so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic 
pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including 
copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to 
uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb 
Archives to store the file permanently for free access. 
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ 
____________________________________________________________

From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 417-8
____________________________________________________________

ELMER E. DAVIS, the efficient deputy sheriff of Cambria county, is a son of 
Joseph and Martha (Davis) Davis, and was born July 6, 1862, in Carroll township, 
Cambria county. Richard Davis, grandfather, was a native of Wales, whence he 
emigrated and located in Carroll township, where he died. Joseph Davis, father, 
was born in Wales about 1816, and died 1874. He came to this country with his 
parents, and helped his father to clear the farm on which he had located in 
Carroll township. He lived in the latter township all his life, where he 
followed the pursuits of a farmer.
    He was an old-line whig, but became a republican upon the organization of 
that party. He was a strong abolitionist, and was an enlisting officer in his 
township. On account of his strong views on the subject he was made the object 
of many threats. He was a devout and consistent member of the Calvinistic 
Methodist church. He married Martha Davis, also a native of Wales, who came with 
her parents to this country about the same time Richard Davis emigrated. She 
died in 1892, at the age of sixty-six years. To their marriage twelve children 
were born: Thomas B., who lives in Ebensburg, this county; Aaron, of Johnstown; 
one who died in infancy; Owen, who died in Johnstown from the effects of the 
memorable flood of 1889; Martha Ann, the wife of John T. Lloyd, a minister in 
the Presbyterian church, now located in South Africa; Caroline, the wife of E. 
L. Edwards, of Johnstown; Jonathan, a stock farmer, located in Illinois; Richard 
B., of Nevada; J. Price, of Johnstown; Elmer E.; and Seward B., deceased.
     Elmer E. Davis had but limited advantages for securing an education; the 
schools of his youth were not of a high order, and were slow to adopt new 
methods. He says he never used a grammar or a geography in school. Then, too, in 
youth he was afflicted with the asthma, which operated against him. However, by 
his own efforts, through careful general reading and close observation, he has 
secured a good practical education. When but fifteen years of age he began life 
on his own account, and engaged to drive a bread wagon for a bakery in 
Johnstown. He served in this capacity for the following five years, and then 
opened a confectionery and cigar store in Johnstown, taking his brother, J. 
Price, as partner. They conducted the business under the firm name of Davis 
Bros. After a year and a half's experience, they purchased the bakery with which 
he had been connected, and added this line to their business. After two years J. 
Price Davis sold his interest to Golden Walters, and the firm then became Davis 
& Walters. In 1888 Mr. Davis purchased his entire interest, and conducted the 
business until 1889, when his property was all destroyed by the memorable flood. 
On recovering from the effects of this disaster he became a broker, handling 
grain, flour and feed, etc., also traveling in connection with his business 
until he was appointed deputy sheriff under Sheriff D. W. Coulter, January 1, 
1895.
    In political opinion he adheres to the principles of the Republican party, 
and has always taken an active and prominent part in local affairs.
    May 8, 1890, he married Miss Ella Tremmellon, and to this marriage have been 
born the following children: Donald Tremmellon, born May 1, 1891; Martha Jane, 
born January 12, 1893, and Russel, born April 1, 1896.