Piqua Daily Call

Frank C. Davies, 86, 502 North Wayne street, a member of one of the oldest pioneer families not only in Piqua but in this part of the country, died at 10:45 o'clock this morning at Piqua Memorial hospital. Although he had been afflicted with a heart ailment for several years, his condition was not considered serious until Wednesday evening of last week when he suffered a paralytic stroke from which he never rallied.
Born December 21, 1855, in the old Davies homestead, corner of Wayne and Greene street, where he passed his entire life, he was one of the five sons of Samuel and Rachel Johnston Davies. His father came to this part of the country as an engineer employed in the construction of the Miami and Erie canal. His mother was the daughter of James Johnston who was a brother of Colonel John Johnston, famous agent to the Indians who built and occupied the agency house which still stands in Upper Piqua. The Johnston family originally came from Ireland to Pennsylvania and settled in Piqua in 1811.
Mr. Davies began his business career in a real estate firm with which he was associated with Leo M. Flesh and the late John C. Geyer. Later he became manager of the Ohio Fuel Gas company, which position he maintained until 1928 when the company merged with the Dayton Power and Light company. At that time Mr. Davies retired from active business and devoted himself to travel and to the study of Miami county history in which he was vitally interested.
In 1892 he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Johnston of Glendale, Cincinnati, member of a family distinguished throughout the state. To this union was born one son, Samuel Johnston Davies.
He was a valued and faithful member of St. James Episcopal church and for years served as Senior Warden of the vestry. Until failing health made absence from church imperative, he never missed a service if he was in town. He was an active member of the Piqua Rotary club and was associated with every civic enterprise of benefit to the community.
A man of the most amazing energy and vitality, he drove his own car until only a few years ago. He spent his summer at Los Cheneaux Islands in Michigan and was there until late fall of last year. It could be said without exaggeration that he was one of the best known, most beloved and highly respected members of the community.
He leaves his son, Samuel J. Davies of Cincinnati, and three grandchildren, Samuel J. Davies, 3rd, Diane and Delle dAvies of Cincinnati. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.