MR. URIAH DAVIES, DODGE COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
Uriah Davies, of the firm of Bassett and Davies, dry goods merchant; Columbus; was born in Merionethshire, North Wales, in 1823; is the son of John and Mary Davies, his mother dying when he was only 3 years old; in 1845, with his father and stepmother (his father having married again), came to America, and located at Union, Rock County, Wisconsin, where his stepmother atferwardsdied; his father now lives with him in the City.Mr. Davies came to Columbus in January, 1846, and began clerking for Arnold and Bassett, dry goods merchant, and remained with Mr. Bassett eight years, Mr. Arnold having sold out to Mr. Bassett during this time; May 1st, 1855, he formed a copartnership with Mr. E. P. Silsbee, under the firm Silsbee and Davies, and as such continued the business till, August 20th, 1855, Mr. S. Axtell purchased the interest of Mr. Silsbee, and the firm was then Davies and Axtell, till 1861, when he bought out Mr. Axtell; continued the business alone for four years.
In 1865, Mr. Bassett became and equal partner with Mr. Davies, and in 1866 they took in Mr. J. M. G. Price, but January 1st, 1873, Mr. Bassett bought back the interest of Mr. Price, and since that time the firm has been Bassett and Davies.
Mr. Davies was married to Jane, daughter of Ellis and Elizabeth Roberts; their children are Jane A. - now the wife of William J. Edwards, and lives in this city - Mary and Luther.
Mr. Davies and family are connected with the Welsh Methodist Church.
Wisconsin County Histories and Find a Grave.
MR. URIAH DAVIES, DODGE COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
Mr. Davies was born June 7th, 1823, at Glyndyfrdwy, Merionethshire, North Wales, his parents being John and Mary Davies of the same place, and who, though comparatively poor, were nevertheless highly respected in the community.When a boy, Mr. Davies received a good elementary education, which as he advanced in years he greatly improved by reading and personal study. He commenced his career as clerk in the store of the late Rev. E. T. Evans, Newark, Ohio, who was then living near Ruabon, Denbighshire, Wales, where also another distinguished Welshman, the late Mr. David Jones, Liverpool, served at the time. Mr. Davies afterward lived in Oswestry, and in the Isle of Man.
On May 18th, 1845, he, with his father and others, - his mother having died when he was three years of age, - left for America in a sailing vessel called "Samuel Hicks," and upon arriving in the country made their way to Wisconsin. After settling his family on a farm at Union, near Janesville, Wisconsin, he engaged himself in the beginning of 1846, to clerk with Arnold and Bassett, at Columbus, Wisconsin. During 1847 he went to Union, to aid his father on the farm, and then returned again to Columbus. In May, 1855, he became a partner in a store with E. P. Silsbee, under the firm name of Silsbee and Davies, which was afterward changed into Davies and Axtell, and for four years from 1861 Mr. Davies became sole proprietor. From 1865 up to May, 1882, D. E. Bassett became his partner under the firm name Bassett and Davies, and thence forward, for the last six years, he again had charge of the business himself.
In visiting his native land in 1852, Mr. Davies was married to Miss Jane Roberts, the daughter of Ellis and Elizabeth Roberts, Rhoseinws, Glyndyfrdwy, who died about four and a half years ago. Four children were born in the family, of whom one, Josiah, died at an early age of seven years. The others are still living and make their home in Columbus : Mrs. W. J. Edwards, Miss Mary Davies, and Mr. Luther Davies who is at present pursuing his studied at Harvard College.
Mr. Davies had been complaining of ill health occasionally for some years, but during the last two months his sufferings were severe, which he endured patiently, until he peacefully passed away April 22nd, 1888, in the 65th year of his age, to the great sorrow of his beloved children and a large circle of friends.
His funeral took place April 28th, which was attended by an unusually large number of people in token of their profound respect for his memory and sympathy with his family. Among those present were a large number of ministers and elders, and many other distinguished friends. Among those taking part in the services were the following : Hon. Ll. Breese, and Hon. W. T. Parry, Portage, President Merell, Ripon College, Revs. John J. Roberts, Thomas J. Rice, J. R. Jones, D. Davies, M. A., J. R. Daniel, R. T. Roberts, D. Harries, D. D., R. H. Evans, Joseph Roberts and others.
From his childhood Mr. Davies had been gtrained in a religious life, and he exemplified in his personal character the spirit, the duties and the graces of a matured Christian life and experience. In Christian work and in the sacred duties of the sanctuary, and especially the Sabbath school and sacred music, he had taken an active and leading part. For many years he had been a faithful elder, highly honoured by the church at home as well as by the C. M. Denomination through the country. Liberal in his contributions to the support of the various funds and societies, such as the fund for the aid of ministerial education, for the aid of aged ministers, and the Bible and missionary societies : every branch of Christian work enlisted his interest and sympathy. He had for several years served as General Treasurer of the Missionary Society and Trustee for the various funds. He was chosen by the C. M. General Assembly held at Oak Hill, O., as one of the delagates to represent the denomination in America in the Presbyterian Council or Alliance held at Belfast, Ireland, in 1884. This visit abroad he greatly enjoyed, especially the meetings of the Council, and revisiting the old scenes of his youthful years.
His sound practical jusgement, his liberality and his unostentatious manner, gave him great influence in the councils of his denomination. In the words of a friend who knew him intimately, Mr. Davies may be said to have eminently distinguished by those sterling qualities which ensure success in life, and which "adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." The life of Mr. Davies affords an excellent illusgtration for the Welsh youth of America of the way in which truth, honesty, economy and perserverance - the great cardinal virtues - together with devotion to the cause of the Master, achieve success and honor. He arose from an inferior position in life to that of great wealth usefulness influence and honor. "The memory of the just is bledded."