CHAPTER TWENTY
THE DEPUTY WARDEN
Edward
D. Davis was born in the northern part of Wales, November 16, 1846, and came
with his parents to Johnstown, Pennsylvania at an early age. Here he grew to
manhood, receiving a common school education. In 1863 he enlisted in the hundred-day
service, and in 1864 re-enlisted in the Eighty-third Pennsylvania volunteer
infantry, and served to the close of the war. He was married May 10, 1871
to Miss Elizabeth Rees, also a native of Wales. His father died in
1883, and his mother in 1889, a victim of the Johnstown flood. In
1878 Mr. and Mrs. Davis came to Clay County, locating at Glenville,
where he followed blacksmithing until elected sheriff in 1887.
He held the office of sheriff for four terms and was a popular and
efficient officer. He was a man of splendid physical power and courage.
He was accustomed to deal with
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criminals and was fearless
in the discharge of his duties. After retiring from the sheriff's office he
and Mrs. Davis traveled a great deal. He practically retired from active life
except one term as warden of the penitentiary. He retained business
interests in Clay Center, being stockholder in the Commercial State
Bank of which he was at one time the vice-president. He was a member
of the Masons, Odd Fellows and A. O. U. W. At Lancaster, Mr. Davis
was well liked by officers and inmates. He believed in strict discipline,
firm rules and kind treatment. He and I had many mutual friends
working in the mines in Colorado where I formerly operated some
mines. He used to drop into the office every night, and we would
discuss mining and talk about our Johnstown friends. About eight
o'clock he would pull out his watch and say, "It is time for
me climb the golden stairs." Then he would go upstairs to
his apartments.
Mr. Davis was a great lover of nature, of
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