San Francisco County
Biographies
HENRY
L. DAVIS
HENRY L. DAVIS was
born in Newport, Rhode Island, October 17, 1827. His
parents, John W. And Sarah A. (Coddington)
Davis, were both natives of Newport, the former of English and the latter of
German extraction, the ancestors of both having been early settlers of Rhode
Island. Henry L. was the third born in their family of eight children, six
of whom are still living. His early life was spent in Newport, and at the
age of thirteen he started out for himself; became a clerk in South Carolina,
and subsequently in Georgia; returned to Newport, where he continued clerking
until he was nineteen years of age. At that time he went with the United
States army to Mexico, as sutler under Captain
Richard Ogden, and was in Vera Cruz on the day of the bombardment of that
city. After returning home he remained in his father’s store two years.
In 1851 Mr. Davis
came to California. After a mining and prospecting experience over various
portions of the State, he engaged in the shipping and commission business in
San Francisco. A year later he turned his attention to the ship chandler’s
business, and continued in it till 1858. During this time Mr. C. P. Peckham was his partner. He received the appointment
of deputy and Under-Sheriff, under Colonel Doane,
which position he held until 1863. John S. Ellis succeeded Colonel Doane in office, and Mr. Davis served under him until his
resignation. Mr. Davis was then elected Sheriff to fill the vacancy, and
on the expiration of the term was reelected After the
close of his second term he became one of the organizers of the California
Trust Company, subsequently the National Gold Bank and Trust company. He
was elected president of both institutions, occupying that important position
while they did business. He was one of the organizers of the California
Wire Works, was a stockholder, and has been secretary and treasurer from its
organization to the present time. This business has become one of the
important industries of the city, employing 250 men. Mr. Davis has also
the honor of being one of the organizers of the great cable-car street-railway
system of San Francisco.
He was married in
1849, to Miss Susan Spencer, a native of his own town, and to them were born three children, all in San Francisco, namely: J.
W., a member of the California Optical Company, and, with his father, one of
its founders; Arthur L., a civil and mechanical engineer; and Laura, wife of M.
P. Clapp. In 1886 Mrs. Davis died. His present wife, formerly Miss
Annie G. Goffe, is also a native of Newport. By
her he has one son, Laurens.
Mr. Davis is a member
of the Masonic fraternity. He has long been identified with the best
interests of this city, and is a man highly respected by all who know him.
Transcribed
by 9-25-06 Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: "The Bay of San
Francisco," Vol. 2, Page 341, Lewis
Publishing Co, 1892.
©
2006 Marilyn R. Pankey.