Samuel T. Davis

biography

Davis, Samuel T. , one of the pioneers of Sioux City, [Iowa] was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania, August 15, 1828. His early education was acquired in Mercer County, of his native State, and at the age of twenty he entered the preparatory department of Allegheny College at Meadville, taking a course which he thought would best serve him in a business career. After leaving college he first became principal of Greenville Academy, but having the practice of law in view soon began that study and was admitted to the bar in 1855. Coming west he located at the frontier town of Sioux City in 1856, opening a law and real estate office. He has been the promoter of several important lines of railroad in Northwestern Iowa, Minnesota, Dakota and Nebraska, and has aided local manufacturing. Mr. Davis served as Register of the United States Land Office at Sioux City, under President Lincoln's administration, and was elected on the Republican ticket to the State Senate in 1868 to fill a vacancy. He was a Democrat until the fall of Sumter when he became a Republican. He was one of the founders of Sioux City Journal.

History of Iowa, Vol. IV, page 68.