John DAVIS, Congress, PA (1788-1878)

DAVIS, John, a Representative from Pennsylvania; born in Solebury Township, Bucks County, Pa., August 7, 1788; moved to Maryland and settled on a farm at Rock Creek Meeting House in 1795; attended the common schools; returned to Pennsylvania in 1812 and settled in what is now Davisville; engaged in agricultural and mercantile pursuits; served as captain in the War of 1812; rose to the rank of major general of militia; elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1839-March 3, 1841); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1840 to the Twenty-seventh Congress; appointed surveyor of the port of Philadelphia by President Polk and served from March 17, 1845, to March 18, 1849; resumed his former business activities; died in Davisville, Pa., April 1, 1878; interment in Davisville Baptist Church Cemetery, Bucks County, Pa.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present