Numbered among the enterprising, public-spirited citizens of Streator for many years, Mr. Davis has aided many industries which have proved of benefit to the place, and has upheld all movements of progress. Recognized as a man of unusual ability and genius, he has been called upon to occupy various official positions of responsibility and importance, and has ably and conscientiously discharged the duties pertaining to these offices.
Born in the city of Birmingham, England, March 2, 1863, our subject is a son of Joseph and Mary A. (Fellows) Davis, likewise natives of that country, where they have always dwelt. When he was eighteen years of age, Emanuel Davis began making plans to come to the United States, and took up the trade of mason. In 1882 he arrived in New York city, whence he proceeded to Chicago, where he found plenty of employment. For about one year he worked at the gas-tube foundry, and in 1883 came to Streator. Here he has been busily engaged in contracting and building, undertaking all kinds of brick work and plastering; and many of the dwellings, churches and stores of this place stand as evidences of his skill and handiwork. For several years he was associated with D. L. Thomas as a member of the firm of Davis & Thomas, but this connection was dissolved by mutual consent, and Mr. Davis has carried on the business alone. For six years he was a director of the German Building & Loan Association, after which he was elected president of the Ninth Branch of the Illinois Bureau of the Bricklayers and Masons' International Union, and at present is serving as financial secretary of the organization.
Zealous in the Republican party, Mr. Davis is a political factor of considerable influence in Streator and vicinity, and has been elected twice to the responsible post of alderman, representing the sixth ward in the city council. Fraternally he is a member of the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen and Foresters of America. In August, 1888, Mr. Davis married Rosalia Aaron, a daughter of James Aaron, of Cornell, Illinois, and two promising sons bless their union, namely: Lincoln Earl and Orville Erwin. They have a pleasant home and many sincere friends here and elsewhere.
Extracted by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois published in 1900, volume 1, pages 315-316.
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