San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1459-1460
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/12/2009
DAVIS BROS.
Twelve years ago the Davis brothers came to Ripon for the purpose of establishing a hardware store. The first store building they occupied was of small proportions and as their business has grown three additions have been added until their floor space amounts to 14,800 square feet and the business is steadily increasing each month. Their large success has been realized entirely through their steady industry and good business management. George R. Davis, the senior partner, was born at San Francisco, July 30, 1880, while his brother, Harold T. Davis, the other member of the firm, was born near San Juan, Cal., August 9, 1882. These enterprising young men are sons of Henry Clay and Emma (Thrush) Davis, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of California. Henry Clay Davis accompanied his parents to California in '49, crossing the plains with ox teams in search for gold. They engaged in mining in Nevada County and the young man Henry C. drove stages in the mountains and later in the '80s located in San Joaquin County, where he was employed in Dr. Bentley's store at Woodbridge. Henry Clay Davis married Miss Emma Thrush, a native of Rio Vista, Cal., a daughter of Richard Thrush, now deceased, who came to California in 1849 and engaged in farming. Three children were born to this pioneer couple: George R., Harold T. Davis and Mrs. O.V. Freeman, who resides at Visalia. About 1887 Henry Clay Davis removed to Fresno where he purchased a tract of land about six miles southwest of Fresno, which he developed to orchard and vineyard and the family resided there about twenty years. Mrs. Davis passed away in the Fresno home in 1917. After his wife's death the father removed to Visalia where he makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Freeman.
George R. Davis received a good education in the schools of Fresno County, graduating from the Fresno high school in 1899, then entered Heald's Business College where he completed a short business course. He then went to Spokane, Wash., where he spent about a year and a half in clerical work, then returned to Fresno, where he took charge of the circulation department of the Fresno Herald, handling it successfully until 1910 when he resigned to enter the hardware business in conjunction with his brother in Ripon. Harold T. Davis, the junior member of the firm, was also educated in the Fresno schools, then was apprenticed to learn the plumbing business at Sacramento, where he served four years, his first wage being three dollars per week, but at the end of four years was an expert plumber. He then went to Goldfield, Nev., where he followed his trade from 1903 to 1908, having charge of plumbing inspection of the Goldfield Hotel and Elks building at that place; later he returned to the San Joaquin Valley and followed his trade in Turlock for two years. In March, 1910, in partnership with his brother, George R. Davis, a hardware and plumbing establishment was opened. For a number of years Harold T. Davis handled the plumbing work himself, but the business has grown to such proportions that he has turned that part of the business over to others and is busy now with the management of his affairs. The Davis Bros. carry the John Deere line of farming implements and the Winchester hardware specialties in which company they are stockholders. They are members of the California State Hardware Association and directors in the First National Bank at Ripon, and Harold T. Davis is president of the Ripon Merchants' Association. Both brothers are prominent lodge members and own valuable property in Ripon.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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