Biography - Richard B. Davis

RICHARD B. DAVIS, one of the best known men in the various mining camps in Nevada, was born January 6, 1855, in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. He is the son of Joseph and Martha Davis, who were the parents of twelve children, of whom ten grew to manhood and womanhood. Richard B. left Pennsylvania and came West, locating near Iowa City, Iowa, where he followed farming for one year. He worked on the farm during his early life and in 1878 he came to Virginia City, worked there for a brief period, and then went to work on the Sutro ranch, where he remained for seven years. He then went to work at the Rock Point Mill at Dayton, where he remained for a period of seven years. Governor Stevenson owned the mill, which was leased to Even Williams, and Mr. Davis was in the employ of both men. He then worked one year at the Eureka mill, after which he worked in the Sutro tunnel. He assisted in rebuilding the Eureka mill after it had burned. Mr. Davis then removed to Esmeralda County and became identified in mining, being interested in the Silver Star district, and his property was known as the Bounce Mine. He was associated in this locality for seven years. On Christmas Eve, 1900, shortly after Tonopah was discovered, he came to this camp and erected the first frame structure which was used for a store and post office. The firm was known as Lothrop & Davis from the time they came to his camp. Now the firm is known as Lothrop-Davis Co., Inc. Mr. Davis is active in Masonic circles, and a member of the Blue Lodge, Scottish Rite, Shrine, and the Royal Arch Chapter. All the degrees in Masonry were taken in Tonopah. He has been a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge for over thirty years and served as Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of Nevada for one year. The original firm constructed and operated the first telephone and telegraph line in Tonopah from Sodaville in 1902. Mr. Davis married Miss Mary M. Lothrop of Dayton, Nevada, January 4, 1891. They have two adopted children, Isabelle Daisy, born July 11, 1898, and Elizabeth Amy, born October 10, 1906.

Transcribed 2020 May 06 by Norma Hass from The History of Nevada, published in 1913, volume 2, page 1175.