Henry Gassaway Davis (1823-1916) Record Books
Collection
Collection Number: A&M 1028
Papers and news clippings of Democratic politician and industrialist Henry Gassaway Davis (1823-1916) regarding his political and business career. Includes newspaper clippings, private account books, correspondence, and other personal papers relating to West Virginian and national politics and industry in the Gilded Age.
The original collection was one reel of microfilm containing two private account books (1867-1915), a letter book (1898-1916), and miscellaneous clippings, newspapers, letters, and printed items. The 1996 addendum added an additional letter book (January 4 - March 16, 1914) and three scrapbooks of newspaper clippings and other papers regarding West Virginian politics, national news, and industry. The 1997/2011 addendum added an additional scrapbook containing invitations and newspaper clippings regarding Davis's political and business career.
The private account books record Davis's various financial ventures, including his various businesses, land bought and sold, campaign expenses, charitable contributions, and the personal expenses of himself and his family. The assorted papers on microfilm are interspersed between the record books, and include newspaper clippings, correspondence, and financial papers. The scrapbooks are mostly newspaper clippings regarding Davis's political career and businesses, as well as news relevant to these ventures. Topics include elections; parties and platforms; legislation and public opinion relating to railroad and coal industry; markets, trade and tariffs; as well as some on labor unrest and Reconstruction. In addition to newspaper clippings, scrapbooks also include other personal papers such as correspondence and invitations. Letter books have a last name index at the front and include copies of correspondence from Davis. Correspondence and invitations are related to his personal, political, and business affairs, and are with employees, associates, as well as national and international figures.
The microfilm was made from materials loaned by the Davis Estate in 1958; the WVRHC does not have the original materials.
No special access restriction applies.
Note that part of this collection was reproduced from loaned material. Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.
Henry Gassaway Davis (1823-1916) was a politician and businessman. Born near Baltimore, Maryland, he spent much of his career in Elkins, West Virginia, where "Graceland," his summer home, was located. Davis, a Democrat, was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1865 as a representative from Hampshire County and the West Virginia Senate in 1868. He served as the United States Senator from West Virginia from 1871-1883. Davis was also the Democratic vice-presidential nominee in 1904. Davis was also an industry leader, and his investments in the coal mining, railroad, and timber industries in West Virginia heavily influenced his politics. He operated the Davis Coal and Coke Company, and in 1866 founded the Potomac and Piedmont Coal and Railway Company, later renamed the West Virginia Central and Pittsburg Railway. Through these and other ventures, Davis amassed an immense fortune. His legacy includes Davis and Elkins College, named after himself and his son-in-law Senator Stephen B. Elkins, and the cities of Henry, Gassaway, and Davis, West Virginia.
0.94 Linear Feet (1 reel of microfilm, 1.75 in.; 2 flat storage boxes, 3 in. each; 1 flat storage box, 3.5 in.)
English
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / URL: West Virginia & Regional History Center
Microfilm was a transfer from the WVU Library Audio-Visual Aids Department, 1958 January 8. Microfilm was made from materials loaned by the Davis Estate.
Items 1-4 were a gift of Armstrong, David, 1996 September 27.
Item 5 was purchased from Armstrong, David, 2011 September 21.
Part of the West Virginia and Regional History Center Repository