Ben G. Davis was born in May 1865 in Shannon, Ill. Little information is available about his early life or education. Davis took a position as private secretary to William Jennings Bryan in 1895, the last year Bryan served in the House of Representatives. He also worked with Bryan during the latter's campaigns for president in 1894 and 1896. When Bryan was appointed Secretary of State by Pres. Woodrow Wilson in 1913, he chose Davis to be chief clerk of the State Dept. Davis held the position until 1924, when he took a posting as disbursing officer for the State Dept. in Cuba. It is unclear how long he held the position. Davis and his wife, Annie L. Davis (1866-1958) married in 1887 in Knoxville, Tenn. They moved to Takoma Park, Md., in 1895. Davis was an active participant in community affairs, and was appointed town clerk and treasurer in 1906, a position he held for twenty years. He was elected mayor in 1926 and held the office until 1932, when he was defeated after a bitterly contested campaign. Davis died 20 Oct. 1946.
From the description of Ben G. Davis letter, 1922 May 8. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 705343070
