Martin L. Davey
Encyclopedia
Martin Luther Davey was a Democratic politician from Ohio. He was the 53rd Governor of Ohio.
in 1884. His father was John Davey
, better known as the tree doctor and founder of the Davey Tree Expert Company
. His mother was Bertha Reeves, the daughter of a minister. Martin was one of seven children. Two of his siblings died before reaching maturity. His siblings were Belle, Wellington, Martin, Jim, and Paul.
Their family struggled with money, leading the young Martin to start making and selling his own horseradish
as a child. All of the profits from this went to help his family. He also helped with his fathers farm and greenhouse. He was an excellent salesman, developing friendships with his customers.
He attending a country fair where he heard the famous speech "Cross of Gold" given by William Jennings Bryan
. This led to him wanting to be a politician.
. After graduating high school, he worked for a time for the Oliver Typewriter Company
in Cleveland, Ohio. He made $10.00 a week plus commission. He was an excellent salesman, and soon earned $200.00 a month. He decided to continue his education and attended Oberlin College
, where he played football
and was on the track team. He was third in his class, when he stopped his education to help found the family business. He returned to school for a time, until he met and married his wife. The marriage and birth of their first child ended his school career.
to fill the term of Elsworth R. Bathrick
. He was re-elected in November, but lost another bid for re-election in 1920. He was re-elected in 1922. In 1928, Davey ran for Governor, but was defeated. He ran again in 1934, and won two two-year terms before retiring.
Mary Bernice died in childhood. Evangeline married Alexander M. Smith. Martin L. Jr. went on to work at the family business.
(founded 1880), located in Kent, Ohio.
Childhood
Davey was born in Kent, OhioKent, Ohio
Kent is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the largest city in Portage County. It is located along the Cuyahoga River in Northeastern Ohio on the western edge of the county. The population was 27,906 at the 2000 United States Census and 28,904 in the 2010 Census...
in 1884. His father was John Davey
John Davey (tree surgeon)
John Davey , considered the father of the science of tree surgery, was born in Stawley, Somerset, England. Although he did not learn the alphabet until his early 20s, his sharp intellect and analytical skills allowed him to become a skilled orator, author, publisher and inventor.John Davey...
, better known as the tree doctor and founder of the Davey Tree Expert Company
Davey Tree Expert Company
The Davey Tree Expert Company is a privately held company that provides tree and lawn care services throughout the United States and Canada. It is the largest residential tree care company in North America. It was incorporated in 1909 in Kent, Ohio by John Davey, who is considered the father of the...
. His mother was Bertha Reeves, the daughter of a minister. Martin was one of seven children. Two of his siblings died before reaching maturity. His siblings were Belle, Wellington, Martin, Jim, and Paul.
Their family struggled with money, leading the young Martin to start making and selling his own horseradish
Horseradish
Horseradish is a perennial plant of the Brassicaceae family, which also includes mustard, wasabi, broccoli, and cabbages. The plant is probably native to south eastern Europe and the Arab World , but is popular around the world today...
as a child. All of the profits from this went to help his family. He also helped with his fathers farm and greenhouse. He was an excellent salesman, developing friendships with his customers.
He attending a country fair where he heard the famous speech "Cross of Gold" given by William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan was an American politician in the late-19th and early-20th centuries. He was a dominant force in the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, standing three times as its candidate for President of the United States...
. This led to him wanting to be a politician.
Education
Davey graduated from Kent High School in Kent, OhioKent, Ohio
Kent is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the largest city in Portage County. It is located along the Cuyahoga River in Northeastern Ohio on the western edge of the county. The population was 27,906 at the 2000 United States Census and 28,904 in the 2010 Census...
. After graduating high school, he worked for a time for the Oliver Typewriter Company
Oliver Typewriter Company
The Oliver Typewriter Company was an American typewriter manufacturer headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The Oliver Typewriter was the first effective "visible print" typewriter, meaning text was visible to the typist as it was entered. Oliver typewriters were marketed heavily for home use,...
in Cleveland, Ohio. He made $10.00 a week plus commission. He was an excellent salesman, and soon earned $200.00 a month. He decided to continue his education and attended Oberlin College
Oberlin College
Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio, noteworthy for having been the first American institution of higher learning to regularly admit female and black students. Connected to the college is the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the oldest continuously operating...
, where he played football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
and was on the track team. He was third in his class, when he stopped his education to help found the family business. He returned to school for a time, until he met and married his wife. The marriage and birth of their first child ended his school career.
Political career
Davey was elected mayor of Kent, serving from 1913–1918. In 1918, he was elected to the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
to fill the term of Elsworth R. Bathrick
Elsworth R. Bathrick
Ellsworth Raymond Bathrick was a U.S. Representative from Ohio.-Biography:Born 6 January 1863 near Pontiac, Michigan to Sumner Bathrick and Louisa Bathrick, he married May L. Clark in 1889...
. He was re-elected in November, but lost another bid for re-election in 1920. He was re-elected in 1922. In 1928, Davey ran for Governor, but was defeated. He ran again in 1934, and won two two-year terms before retiring.
Family
In 1907 Martin married Berenice Chrisman of Kent. They had three children: Evangeline, Mary Bernice, and Martin Luther Jr.Mary Bernice died in childhood. Evangeline married Alexander M. Smith. Martin L. Jr. went on to work at the family business.
Legacy
Davey's family was known for their company, The Davey Tree Expert CompanyDavey Tree Expert Company
The Davey Tree Expert Company is a privately held company that provides tree and lawn care services throughout the United States and Canada. It is the largest residential tree care company in North America. It was incorporated in 1909 in Kent, Ohio by John Davey, who is considered the father of the...
(founded 1880), located in Kent, Ohio.
See also
- Election Results, U.S. Representative from Ohio, 14th District
- Election Results, Ohio GovernorElection Results, Ohio GovernorThe voters of the U.S. state of Ohio elect a governor for a four-year term. There is a term limit of two consecutive terms as governor. Bold type indicates victor. Italic type indicates incumbent. Starting in 1978, the nominees for governor and lieutenant governor ran on a joint ticket.-Democratic...
- Election Results, Ohio Governor (Democratic Primaries)