James
Davis, Secretary of Labor (1921-1930), Senator from Pennsylvania; was
born in Tredegar, South Wales, October 27, 1873; immigrated to the
United States in 1881 with his parents, who settled in Pittsburgh, Pa.,
and later moved to Sharon, Pa.; attended the public schools and Sharon
(Pa.) Business College; apprenticed as a puddler in the steel industry
when 11 years of age; moved to Elwood, Ind., in 1893 and worked in
steel and tin-plate mills; held various offices in the Amalgamated
Association of Iron, Steel, and Tin Workers of America; city clerk of
Elwood, Ind., 1898-1902; recorder of Madison County, Ind., 1903-1907;
moved to Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1907 and engaged in organizational work
for the Loyal Order of Moose; chairman of the Loyal Order of Moose War
Relief Commission in 1918 and visited the various camps in the United
States, Canada, and Europe; appointed Secretary of Labor by President
Warren Harding and reappointed by Presidents Calvin Coolidge and
Herbert Hoover 1921-1930, when he resigned, having been elected
Senator; elected as a Republican to the United States Senate to fill
the vacancy caused by the refusal of the Senate to seat William S.
Vare; reelected in 1932 and 1938 and served from December 2, 1930, to
January 3, 1945; unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1944; resumed
educational and organizational work for the Loyal Order of Moose; died
in Takoma Park, Md., November 22, 1947; interment in Uniondale
Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pa.
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