Joshua Davis    

JOSHUA DAVIS, banker, etc., Kane, was born in Cambria county, Penn., in 1843, his parents having emigrated from Wales a short time before. He was educated in the common schools of Ebensburg, and began his business life in 1867. That same year he married Miss Hannah Howells, of Ebensburg, after which they located at Kane, where he engaged in business as a dealer in general merchandise. Disposing of his mercantile interests in 1886, he embarked in the manufacture of brush blocks, and was also interested in the manufacture of clothespins, being one of the firm of Howells, Moffitt & Co. He is also interested in the chemical works, and is a member of the banking house of McDade, Davis & Co. He is a member of the Kane Gas Light & Heating Company, and is always ready to invest in any enterprise which promises to increase the prosperity of Kane. Mr. Davis was interested in lands which proved valuable at the first development of oil at this place, and since then he has invested largely, which investments have proved very remunerative. Mr. Davis was one of the first settlers of Kane, built the first house in the business end of the town, and has since erected many business and residence houses. He is a member of Kane Lodge, No. 566, F. & A. M., of Bradford Chapter, No. 260, R. A. M., and of the Scottish Rite, at Erie. He is also a Knight Templar, being a member of Knapp Commandery, No. 40, of Ridgway, and, having served in the Union army, in the war of the Rebellion, is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He has three children: William H., Cora May and Annie Rachel. Of these, William H. is manager and part owner of the brush block factory; like his father he is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Joshua Davis’ career only exemplifies what perseverance, industry and well-directed effort will accomplish ; beginning life with but 25 cents cash capital, he is emphatically a self-made man, and is now one of the able and prominent citizens of McKean county.

History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania with biographical selections, including their early settlement and development, a description of the historic and interesting localities, sketches of their cities, towns and villages, portraits of prominent men, biographies of representative citizens, outline history of Pennsylvania, statistics.. Chicago. J.H. Beers & Co.. 1890, pages 556-557. Read this book on line - Free Trial Search Hundreds of 1880s-1890s Pennsylvania County History Books for biographies and historical information on your ancestors.  View the book page images on line and print them out for your genealogy file!  Free Access to the old history books - plus birth & death records, census images and ALL other records at ancestry.com.