Evan Robert Davis

DAVIES ROBERTS

Posted By: John Davis (email)
Date: 12/9/2011 at 07:02:27

Evan Robert Davis
Obit, Ottumwa Courier, died 22 Nov 1941
“One of Best Known Rail Veterans Dies”
E. R. “Curly Davis” Began 68 Years Ago.
Evan Robert Davis, 86, veteran Milwaukee railroader, who had been retired since 1937, died at his home, 421 North Clay Street, at 8 a.m. today. He had been active until a few hours before his death. “Curly” Davis was one of the best known railroaders in Ottumwa. His record of membership in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen was one of the longest in the organization. He was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, January 15, 1855, the son of John and Anne Roberts Davis. He came to Iowa when 10 years old with his parents. They settled at Boonesboro, now Boone.
Early Days Recalled
The veteran engineer often recalled that his early memories were of riding a passenger train as far as Nevada, then having to ride freight to Ames and go to Boonesboro by wagon. One of his favorite stories was of the days of the old wood burning locomotives, which he said steamed into town with great noise and flame, the cord wood stacked like hay in the tender. Mr. Davis worked in a mine in North Central Iowa when 13 years old, driving a mine mule hoist. On August 4, 1873, he began his railroading career. He started to work as a machinist in the shops of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railroad, now part of the Rock Island. In 1879, he began to work as a fireman for the Northwestern Railroad in Cedar Rapids. He joined the Fireman’s Brotherhood in 1882. He was married in Cedar Rapids, June 30, 57 years ago. His wife, Bridget, survives him. Two sons, Thomas and Philo Davis preceded him in death.
Funeral Services Monday
Surviving in addition to Mrs. Davis are four sons, Davis R., roundhouse general foreman for the Milwaukee in Savannah, Illinois; Norbert E., machinist for the Milwaukee in Ottumwa; James B., pipefitter for the Milwaukee in Ottumwa, and John C., who is a post office employee in Ottumwa. Eight grandchildren also survive. Mr. Davis was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Holy Name Society, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and the International Association of Machinists. Funeral services will be held at 8:30 a.m. Monday at the home and at 9 a.m. from St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. The rosary will be recited at the home, Sunday at 8 p.m. The body was taken from the Vaughn Funeral Chapel to the home today.