Biography

08/01/1900 - 12/05/1955

Private William H. Davis (R21) Luzerne (Part) County 1955

Early Life:

Private William H. Davis, born August 1, 1900, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; son of John and Janet Owen Davis; Coughlin High School; accounting, LaSalle Extension University; Temple University School of Commerce; private, student army training corps, WWI; secretary, treasurer, Merchants Warehousing Company; president, Wilkes-Barre Motor Car Company; deputy Luzerne County controller, ten years; elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1955; married, Edna Morrissey; stricken, coronary occlusion, senate majority caucus room, Main Capitol Building, Harrisburg, died, December 5, 1955, in office of Senate, Harrisburg Hospital, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania; interment, Evergreen Cemetery, Shavertown, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. 

Professional titles; business ownership; board memberships; local government; club memberships:

Member, American Legion Post 132 Wilkes Barre, Forty and Eight; Pennsylvania State Legion Knee Hi Baseball Committee and County Activities Chairman, 1951; member, State Physical Education Committee Young Men’s Christian Association; 32^nd degree Mason; governor, Loyal Oder of Moose; executive committee, Boy Scouts; member, United Sportsmen of Pennsylvania; organized, first president, key and master key, zone chairman, Wilkes-Barre Lions Club; president, Heights of Saint David’s Society; exalted ruler, trustee, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Wilkes-Barre Lodge 109.   

Pennsylvania Politics: 

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 21st district, Luzerne (Part) County 1955; vacancy, death, Senator Patrick J. Toole, November 8, 1955; sworn in November 28, 1955; died week later, December 5, 1955. 

Legacy:

4th Pennsylvania State Senator stricken by heart attack during the 1955 legislative session; Patrick Toole, Henry J. Propert, Miles R. Derk.

Reported to have the shortest tenure of any member, Pennsylvania State Senate history, one week. 

Cited:

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members D". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

The Morning Call (Allentown, Pennsylvania) Tuesday December 6, 1955, Page 1.

The Pennsylvania Manual (1955-1956). Allen, A. (Editor). (Volume 92). The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Biographical Sketches of Senators, page 293.

William H. Davis (1900-1955) - Find a Grave Memorial