Frederick William Davis, brother of the foregoing James Davis, Jr., was
the third son and youngest child of James and Hannah (Ingols) Davis, and
was born while the family resided at No. 19 (afterward 23) Union Street,
Boston, April 10, 1824.
[Illustration: Fred W. Davis & signature]
He attended for some time the public schools of Boston, completing his
education in Mr. Greene's school at Jamaica Plain.
Entering the office of Messrs. Philo S. Shelton & Co., on India Wharf,
some time in the early part of 1840, where he remained for about two
years.
He withdrew from his position there to obtain a knowledge of mineralogy
and chemistry under the careful and thorough teaching of the late Dr.
Charles T. Jackson, accompanying him in his exploration of 1844 on Lake
Superior.
He came into the Company after the establishment of the smelting-works
at Point Shirley, having some shares transferred to him December 31,
1850; was the resident agent there, continuing such until his death,
from typhoid fever, December 11, 1854.
He took very high rank as an analytical chemist; was devoted,
industrious, and able in the department assigned to him. He is spoken of
in a published description of the Point Shirley works as of "great
ability, and in his day having few equals and certainly no
superior."[13]
Unselfish and generous, he was a warm and steadfast friend. On any
occasion for it his helpfulness was ungrudging and unstinted,
regardless alike of cost or exertion.
His early death prematurely closed a career which under circumstances
wisely improved might have been an extremely brilliant one.
Those who knew him most familiarly still remember his cheery, cordial
greeting, and his hearty response to their sincere regard for him.