My Genealogy Hound

HON. GEORGE M. DAVIES, Burgess and capitalist of Lansford, is not one of the native citizens of the Keystone State. He was born across the water in South Wales, January 12, 1848, and in that country acquired a part of his education. At length he bade adieu to friends and native land, and with relatives crossed the broad Atlantic to the United States. The vessel in which they sailed dropped anchor in the harbor of New York, and from that city they made their way at once to New Jersey, where they located for a time, removing later to Hazleton, Pa.

At Hazleton Mr. Davies began working in the coal mines as a slate picker, obtaining thereby a good practical knowledge of the business, which proved of much benefit to him in later years. He then became a contractor in the mines, supplying coal in large quantities. He worked a large force of men, and continued to actively engage in that business until 1883, meeting with excellent success in his undertakings. He managed his interests with ability, and, as the result of his sagacity and well directed efforts, won a handsome competence.

Mr. Davies was married in 1870, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary J. Hill, a native of Harleigh, Pa., and a daughter of David Hill. Their union has been blessed with a family of nine children. One daughter, Sarah, is now engaged in teaching. David H., who pursued his studies for some time at Millersville, is now attending the United States Military Academy at West Point. The younger children are all in school at Lansford.

Mr. Davies came with his family to Lansford in 1883, and has since made it his home. During the eleven years which have passed he has been extensively engaged in business as a coal contractor, and furnishes employment to from one hundred and fifty to one hundred and seventy men in the great anthracite coal mines. He has one mine at Springtonnel, near where the first tunnel was driven by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company. Some of the coal mines in which he is interested are from one hundred to one hundred and seventy-five feet in thickness, and turn out a superior quality of anthracite coal. He is still actively engaged in business, although he has now accumulated a fortune. He may truly be called a self-made man, for he started out in life empty-handed, with no capital save a pair of willing hands and a young man’s bright hope of the future, and from a humble position has steadily worked his way upward to wealth and affluence. The obstacles in his path have been overcome by persistent effort, and his undaunted spirit has enabled him to press forward where many another man would have faltered or failed. His example may well serve to encourage others who, like himself, have to fight life’s battle unaided.

In politics Mr. Davies takes a prominent and active part, and is a stalwart supporter of the Republican party, the principles of which he warmly advocates. He labors earnestly in its interests, doing all in his power to insure its success. He has served as Chairman of the County Republican Committee, and in 1891 was nominated on the ticket of that party as candidate for Congress from the Eighth District. He made a strong race, and reduced the Democratic majority from eleven thousand to six thousand, a fact which indicates his personal popularity and the high regard in which he is held. In 1892 he was elected Burgess, was re-elected in 1893, and is now serving as Mayor by virtue of his office. He was elected Treasurer of the borough of Lansford for four successive years. He is an able and fluent speaker, logical and convincing, and is well versed on all subjects of general interest, so that when called upon he is never at a loss for something to say.