J. W. DAVIS, who has long been prominently identified with the affairs of Troy, Ohio, has been a resident of the city since 1880, and is engaged in the real estate and insurance business at the present time. He was postmaster of Troy during the second administration of President Cleveland, receiving his appointment in 1893, and during his tenure of office had the distinction of sending out the largest amount of first class mail of any postmaster of the same class in the United States, 300 mail pouches being required for use in the local office. This supremacy brought the city into prominence throughout the country.

Mr. Davis was born in Tippecanoe City, Miami County, Ohio, in 1862, and was reared and educated at that place, being a graduate of the Tippecanoe High School. In 1880 he came to Troy and accepted a position as clerk with the wholesale and retail grocery firm of D. M. McCullough. After one year he entered the employ of C. L. Coolidge (dry goods, boots and shoes) in the capacity of Bookkeeper and salesman, and so continued for three years. He next represented E. Levering & Company, coffee importers of Baltimore, Maryland, in the wholesale and retail trade through the states of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, continuing with that firm for seven years. He then became associated in business with Mr. C. T. Long, and under the name and style of Long & Davis they conducted a gentlemen's furnishings and fine tailoring establishment for a period of five years. In 1893 he was appointed postmaster, and upon his retirement from that office in 1897 he became associated with M. K. Gantz and George S. Long in the ownership of the, Troy Democrat, which they conducted two years. Mr. Davis then embarked in the real estate and fire insurance business, with which he has since been successfully identified. He has always taken an active interest in politics and the success of the Democratic party, and has served as chairman of the executive committee of that party and as chief state supervisor of elections for Miami County.

In 1889 Mr. Davis was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Eliza Shilling, who comes of one of the pioneer families of Miami County and is the youngest daughter of Jesse Shilling Sr. One son, Brice Barron Davis, was born to them and died in infancy. Mr. Davis is past chancellor commander of the local lodge, Knights of Pythias; eminent commander of Coleman Commandery; and a member of Antioch Shrine, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Dayton.