JACOB A. DAVY, who for over twenty five years has been engaged in the successful practice of law at Troy, Ohio, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, October 26, 1854, his parents being Henry D. and Catharine (Bosteter) Davy. He is of English ancestry, his paternal grandfather having emigrated from England to Philadelphia in 1706.

Henry D. Davy, the father, was born in Tusearawas County, Ohio, in 1811, and at an early date entered the ministry, his duties in connection therewith taking him successively to various fields in this State. In 1868 he located on a farm in Elizabeth Township, Miami County, where he afterwards resided until his death, in September, 1895, at the age of eighty-four years. He was a minister of the German Baptist Church, and for twenty years was chairman of the executive committee and moderator of annual conference. He was united in marriage November 17, 1850, with Miss Catharine Bosteter, who was born near Frederick City, Maryland, in 1821, and who died in February,1896. Ten children were born of this union, four of whom bore arms in the Union cause during the Civil War.

Jacob A. Davy was about seven years old when his parents moved, in 1861., to Mr. Vernon, Knox County, Ohio, and during their residence of seven years there he attended the public schools. He accompanied them on their removal to Miami County in 1868, and there attended the district schools during the winter months, when he could be spared from the work on the farm. He continued farming until August 19, 1879, when he went to Troy and began preparations for the legal profession under the preceptorship of Theodore Sullivan, who afterwards became circuit judge, and M. B. Barnhart, who later moved to Columbus and became police judge of that city. He subsequently attended the Cincinnati Law School, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1881. In March, 1882, he opened an office for practice in the city of Troy, where he has since continued with uninterrupted success.

It is needless to say that Mr. Davy's present high position at the bar was not brought about without hard and persistent effort. At the outset he realized his own deficiencies with respect to preliminary education, and with determined energy he accordingly pursued a literary and scientific course, reciting regularly to a gentleman noted for his scholarly attainments. This training has been of incalculable benefit to him in his court work. Well grounded in the law and always thoroughly prepared in his cases, employing the best diction, with a convincing style and manner, he makes a favorable impression on court and jury, and has been successful beyond the average. He has a fine library of literary and legal lore, in the enjoyment of which he spends much of his time.

In the year 1900 Mr. Davy became a member of the law firm of Davy & Campbell, Mr. St. John becoming a third partner in the following year. On the subsequent election of Mr. Campbell as prosecuting attorney, that gentleman retired from the firm, which then became Davy & St. John. In 1907 Mr. St. John was appointed assistant probate judge, and accordingly severed his connection with the firm; but on account of the old style being well and favorably known to a large Eastern clientele, Mr. Davy has since retained it, though at the present time practicing alone. He has lately organized the National Law Collecting Company, incorporated with a capital stock of $10,000, of which he is president. Mr. Davy is in enthusiatic Republican in politics, and has spent much time and effort in bringing about party success in the county. In 1892 he was chairman of the Republican Central Committee and his activity brought out the full party strength in support of President Harrison, while nearly every other county in the State fell below.

Mr. Davy was joined in marriage, February 4, 1886, with Gertrude Edith Mitchell, who was born near Fletcher, Miami County,. Ohio, in 1864, the Mitchell family having long been one of prominence in the county. Her father, John Mitchell, was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1822, and at an early date became a resident of Miami County. He was a man of unusual ability, and accumulated a handsome competency, including 329 acres of land in the county. He was married at Fletcher in 1855, to Miss Henrietta Simmons, a daughter of William T. and Margaret Simmons, and two children were the offspring of this union, Mrs. Mary E. Spencer, of Piqua; and Gertrude E., wife of Jacob A. Davy. Mrs. Davy a lady of educational attainments and musical accomplishments, being gifted with a soprano voice of good power and pleasing quality. She received voice culture under the instruction of Professor Blumenschine, of Dayton, and other prominent teachers. The family home is at No. 6 South Plum Street, in Troy.