Prof. William Walter Davies
Not too often can be repeated the life story of one who has lived so honorable and useful a life and attained to such notable distinction as has he whose name appears at the head of this sketch, one of Ohio's successful and distinguished educators and writers. His character has been one of signal exaltation and purity of purpose. Well disciplined in mind, maintaining a vantage point from which life has presented itself in correct proportions, simple and unostentatious in his self-respecting, tolerant individuality, such a man could not prove other than a force for good in whatever relation of life he may have been placed. His character is the positive expression of a strong nature and his strength is as the number of his days. His career has been a long, busy and useful one. and his name is revered by all who have had occasion to come into contact with him. His life has been one of consecration to his calling, and well does he merit a place of honor in every history touching upon the lives and deeds of those who have given the best of their powers and talents for the aiding and betterment of their kind.
William W. Davies was born on the 10th day of May, 1848, in Llangybi, Cardiganshire. South Wales, and is the son of David and Mary Davies, both of whom are deceased. In young manhood William Davies came to the United States and, having completed his public school training, he became a student in Ohio Wesleyan University, where he was graduated in 1872. with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and receiving his Masters degree from the same institution in 1875. In 1874 he graduated from Drew Theological Seminary, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. In 1877 he was given the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Halle, Prussia, after three years of study in residence, and he also studied in the Faculte Libre. Lausanne, Switzerland, and the Sorbonne. Paris. In 1878 Doctor Davies was ordained to the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church and during the following two years was pastor of the church at Dover. Ohio; from 1879 to 1883 he was instructor of Hebrew and modern languages in Ohio Wesleyan University; adjunct professor, 1883-4, and then became professor of Hebrew and German. He devoted himself indefatigably to his labors and for many years he has been numbered among the leading educators of the state which he has honored by his citizenship. Doctor Davies has done considerable original research work and has done much writing. In 1894 he became and is still editor of the department of Archaeology and Biblical Research in the Methodist Review; wrote the Critical Notes in the Sunday School Teachers' Jounal, 1895-7; contributor to Modern Languages, Notes, and to various religions journals. He is a member of the Society of Biblical Archaeology, the Victoria Institute, Authors' Club (London), Phi Kappa Psi and Phi Beta Kappa. He is author of the "Universal Bible Encyclopedia," two volumes, 1903 ; "The Codes of Hamurabi and Moses," 1905.
Professor Davies has twice been married. On December 25, 1879, he married Mary E. Chase, of Auburn, Maine, whose death occurred on September 2, 1909. On the 27th of June, 1911, he was married to Madeline B. Sharp, widow of the late Morris Sharp, of Washington C. H.. and who is referred to at length elsewhere in this work. Professor Davies is a man of genial and kindly impulses, who, because of his splendid ability and high personal character, has won a host of warm personal friends.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)