BIOGRAPHY: Howard DAVIS, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 370
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Howard DAVIS

HOWARD DAVIS.--This enterprising business man of Conemaugh, Cambria county, is a 
son of Timothy R. and Lidie (Burkhart) Davis, and was born in Jackson township, 
Cambria county, Pennsylvania, October 18, 1860.
     His grandfather, Richard Davis, was born in Wales, and emigrated to this 
country when about eighteen years old. He engaged in farming in Cambria 
township, near Ebensburg, and followed this occupation for fifty-three years. He 
was an old-line whig, and a member of the Baptist church, in which he was a 
deacon until his death. This occurred in April, 1866.
     The grandfather of our subject was a good and reliable man and the father 
of a large family, all of whom are respected and worthy citizens. All of his 
children are living, except two, Willie and Katie. All are married and living in 
Cambria county, except Mattie, who lives in Reynoldsville, Jefferson county, 
Pennsylvania.
     Timothy R. Davis, father of Howard Davis, married Lydia Burkhart, a 
daughter of Joseph Burkhart, of Cambria township, in October, 1857. He was 
educated in the common schools, and after leaving school engaged in the lumber 
business, until 1886, when he retired from business with a competency sufficient 
to maintain him in comfort for the rest of his days. He is a Protestant in 
religion and a republican in politics. He held the office of borough constable 
for six years, besides having filled various other township offices. In his 
county he was known and esteemed as a political leader of influence and worth. 
He had eight children, four boys and four girls. One boy is dead, the rest are 
living, and the girls are all married, Josephine married Daniel Kerr, of Indiana 
county, October, 1876, and has nine children, all of whom are living. The family 
now reside in Jackson township, Cambria county. Susan Jane is the wife of W. W. 
Dunmire, of Jackson township, and has four children, all living. Esther was 
married to John Gray, of Conemaugh, Cambria county. Five children were born to 
this union, and all are living. Flora Bell married Daniel Custis, of Conemaugh, 
Cambria county, and their two children are both living. Of the boys, two, Harry 
and Webster, are unmarried. The latter is a druggist in Conemaugh, and the 
former is an engineer for the Pennsylvania railroad.
     Howard Davis married Martha Jane Long, of Washingtown township, Indiana 
county. She is a daughter of John Long, who was educated in Ohio, and taught 
school for about thirteen terms in Indiana and Westmoreland counties. After 
teaching he followed the pursuit of farming for a number of years. He died 
February 9, 1883.
     Our subject was educated in the common schools, and followed the lumber 
business in partnership with his father for five years. Later, he came to 
Conemaugh, where be carried on the butcher trade for four years, or until the 
great flood, which destroyed his place of business, he barely saving himself and 
family. After the flood he was appointed postmaster, but resigned that office 
after three months, and embarked in the furniture and undertaking business, in 
which he is now engaged. He is assisted in his business by his son Oscar, an 
energetic youth of fifteen years. Of his other four children one is dead.
     He is an ardent republican and a prominent political leader of his section. 
He was formerly constable of Jackson township, and in February, 1894, was 
honored with the office of mayor of Conemaugh borough. Mr. Davis discharges the 
duties of his office with tact and judgment, fully sustaining the high 
reputation which he has gained among his fellow citizens.