My Genealogy Hound

HENRY C. DAVIS, one of the leading attorneys of Ware, was born at Three Rivers, Mass., on October 22, 1843, son of Benjamin and Cordelia (Buffington) Davis.

His grandfather Davis, who also bore the Christian name of Benjamin, was born in Oxford, Mass., in 1774, son of Craft Davis. He was a farmer in humble circumstances, and the larger part of his life was spent in North Brookfield and in Ware. He died in the latter place in 1860, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. He married Miss Theodosia Barnes; and their union was blessed by the birth of three sons and six daughters, all of whom lived to maturity, though two of the daughters died in early womanhood. The only survivors are: Dr. W. G. Davis, of Schenectady, N.Y.; and Mrs. Sarah Brooks, the widow of James F. Brooks, residing at Stafford Springs, Conn. Of the deceased, Mrs. Nancy Goodwin died at Springfield, Mass., in her eighty-sixth year, leaving two children. Mrs. Cynthia Loomis, who resided in Ware, died aged eighty-eight years, leaving one daughter. The Rev. William Davis lived to be eighty-six years old, and left at his death six daughters and a son, the Rev. William P. Davis, of Lebanon, N.J. Mrs. Almira Whittaker, who was born in 1802, died at the age of ninety-three years. The mother survived the father by two years, dying in 1862, eighty-six years of age. Both rest in the Ware cemetery.

Benjamin Davis, Jr., who was born in Ware, July 16, 1811, spent his early years on his father’s farm. He afterward turned his attention to the manufacture of cotton goods, which he followed with success for many years. He removed to Palmer, Mass., in 1836, remaining there until the spring of 1846, when he settled in Ware. Here he continued in the cotton-goods business until 1860, when he retired, taking up his residence on a farm situated about one mile from the village of Ware. He always took an active and prominent part in local and general politics; and, being a man of high principles and strong character, he was one of the leaders in all worthy enterprises. He was sent to the legislature in 1858, and for over twenty years he served as Assessor. He was a Democrat until the starting of the Free Soil movement, and was always a Republican after the fusion, about 1855. While holding the office of Assessor he was stricken with paralysis, from the effects of which he died within a year, on June 16, 1890, seventy- eight years of age. His wife, Cordelia Buffington, to whom he was married on May 4, 1836, was born in Connecticut, and was a daughter of Royal Buffington. The latter afterward removed to Palmer, Mass., where he followed the vocation of an agriculturist with success. He reared a family of four sons and four daughters, of whom two sons and a daughter are now living. These are: Jesse M. Buffington; Dwight Buffington, of Ware; and Mrs. Cynthia Aldrich, of Springfield, Mass. Their mother died at the age of sixty-nine years. Their father afterward entered into a second marriage, and lived to be eighty-seven years of age. Mrs. Davis bore her husband nine children, an infant son who died and four sons and four daughters who attained maturity, as follows: Benjamin F. Davis, who is extensively engaged in farming in Ware; George R. Davis, the Director-general of the World’s Fair; Henry C. Davis; Jennie C., the wife of Albert L. Harwood, of Newton, Mass., where her husband is an able lawyer and influential citizen; Helen A. Davis, a retired school-teacher living at Newton Centre, Mass.; Mary A. B., the wife of Myron L. Harwood, of Ware; A. J. Davis, who is engaged in a general insurance business and is a large real estate dealer in Ware; and Georgia F. H., the wife of A. L. Demond, of Chicago, Ill.

Henry C. Davis acquired his education in the public schools of Ware, at Williston Seminary, and at the Harvard Law School, graduating from the latter in the class of 1868, after two years spent there. He was admitted to the bar in January, 1868; and, after about six months spent in the office of Bacon & Aldrich at Worcester, he opened the office which he now occupies. He is a man of strong characteristics and superior legal attainments, qualities which have brought him a lucrative practice. He is interested in various enterprises in his town, and does a large business in real estate and insurance.

On May 4, 1876, the wedding anniversary of both his father and his brother, Andrew J., he was joined in marriage with Miss Jennie A. Demond, of Ware, a daughter of Lorenzo and Jane (Masden) Demond, and a granddaughter of Alpheus Demond. The latter at one time owned a large portion of the town of Ware, including the sites of the large factories; and he was a leader in public affairs. Mrs. Davis has now two brothers living, namely: Alpheus Demond, of Rochester, N. Y.; and Arthur L. Demond, of Chicago, Ill. She has borne her husband three sons and two daughters, as follows: Henry C. Davis, Jr., living at home; John A. Davis, a youth of sixteen years, who is attending the high school; Marion, fourteen years of age, who is also in the high school; May, ten years of age; and Arthur L., who is seven years old.

In his political relations Mr. Davis is a Republican. In 1874 he was sent to the State legislature. He has also served in other public offices, among which may be mentioned that of chairman of the School Committee, of which board he was a member for about twenty-five years. He is a member of King Solomon Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. His wife, a most estimable lady, is a member of the Congregational church of Ware. They reside at 12 Elm Street.