Davis, N. (Nathan), 1812-1882

Nathan Davis (1814-1894), was born in Hannover Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, on 2 October 1814. He was raised as a farmer and miller. He married Sarah Woolley on 31 March 1836. Shortly after his marriage his father died, leaving Nathan, who was his eldest son, in charge of the estate. Being raised a Quaker he was a zealous member of that denomination until 1850, when he was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) by his brother-in-law, Edwin C. Woolley. The following year he immigrated to Utah, having previously lost most of his property through hard times. The family crossed the plains in Isaac Allred's company, which arrived in Salt Lake City on 3 October 1851. On 18 December 1852 he was ordained a High Priest, having previously been ordained an Elder, and had also received his endowments, together with his wife. On 7 February 1853 Brigham Young appointed him to take charge of the machine shops of the Public Works, a position which he occupied for a number of years. In his younger days he sustained a high reputation as a mechanic and business man. In February 1867 he was sent east to purchase machinery for the manufacture of woolen goods in the Salt Lake Valley. On that occasion he bought $30,000 worth of machinery. Part of this machinery was later used in the Deseret and Wasatch Woolen Mills on Canyon Creek, Salt Lake County and another part in the woolen mills at Ogden. From 1869-1872 he was employed as master-mechanic of the Utah Central Railway shops, and in 1873 he established an iron foundry in Salt Lake City under the firm name of Nathan Davis and Sons (later Davis Howe and Co.). Davis served as Territorial sealer of weights and measures from 1858-1869, and again from 1886 until his death. He served several terms in the Salt Lake City council, part of the time as alderman. He also served as school trustee and filled numerous other positions. Davis died at his home in Salt Lake City on 29 December 1894.

From the guide to the Nathan Davis papers, 1847-1956, (J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah)

Epithet: traveller

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000213.0x000270

Epithet: Reverend; excavator of Carthage

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000213.0x00026f