When he first came to Catasauqua and the Crane Iron works, he worked under a David Jones - then Hopkin Thomas

Residence was at 2nd and Race Sts.
George Davies spent the first nine years of his life uneventfully in the land of his birth. Coming ton Catasauqua with his father in 1850 he worked at the trade of molder for two years, after which he served an apprenticeship of five years at the trade of machinist with the Crane Iron Company, under Hopkins Thomas, he entered Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York, and graduated with honors from that noted commercial school. In 1863, while at Parryville, he enlisted as first sergeant of Captain James Thomas' Company, Thirty-fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Emergency Volunteers, Colonel Charles Albright commanding. He marched with his company to Gettysburg, thence to Port Richmond, Philadelphia, and was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of service.
Mr. Davies, prior to the war, was employed as master mechanic in Belvedere, New Jersey, Camden and Amboy, New Jersey shops, the Novelty Works, New York City and at Parryville, Pennsylvania. After the close of hostilities he returned to the latter named place and became master mechanic there for a short period of time. He then took up his residence in Catasauqua, and with the exception of about five years, (1871 to 1876) when he had charge of the Carbon Iron Works at Parryville, he remained there until his death. In 1879 his brother-in-law, James Thomas, with whom he had been on terms of intimacy from childhood, purchased a one-half interest in the foundry and machine shop at Catasauqua, and this business relationship continued until the death of Mr. Davies. The two men were devoted companions, the wishes of one being law with the other. The firm manufactured castings for many important enterprises, including the underground electric railway in Washington, D. C., the Broadway cable in New York, the East River Tunnel, the Hudson River Tunnel and the Traction and People's cable lines in Baltimore. They also manufactured car castings and were the designers and original manufacturers of the Davies and Thomas engine. The works occupied at the time of Mr. Davies' death about ten acres, the foundry covering one acre, and the machine-shop being one hundred and thirty-five long by fifty feet wide. There were four large boilers, two blowers operated by two Davies and Thomas engines of one hundred and fifteen tons each. The firm was identified with the Wahnetah Silk Company, of which Mr. Thomas was president and Mr. Davies a director. There was also the principal stockholders, in the Electric Light and Power Company, which was established in 1890. Mr. Davies was also a director in the Bethlehem Electric Light and Power Company, which was established in 1882, and of which James Thomas was president. He was the owner of valuable real estate in West Bethlehem, and a stockholder in the Catasauqua National Bank.
Mr. Davies was identified with the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Porter Lodge No 284 at Catasauqua. He was a staunch adherent of the principles of the Republican Party, but was unwilling to allow his name to be presented for official position, preferring to devote his entire time to business pursuits. As a member of the school board, upon which he was serving at the time of his death, he was instrumental in promoting the grade of scholarship in the Catasauqua Schools. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which body he served in the capacity of trustee, steward and class-leader. He was a member of the building committee at the time of the erection of Grace Methodist Church and parsonage and was one of the most liberal contributors thereton.
On August 4, 1864, in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, Mr. Davies was united in marriage to Mary A. Evans, who emigrated from Wales and daughter of Thomas R. Evans who emigrated from Wales to America, settling in Catasauqua, there for many years he followed the trade of blacksmith. Mrs. Davies received an excellent education in Tremont Normal School and was a successful teacher prior to her marriage. The following children were born to them: John M. who died in 1885; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Harry E. Graffin, of Catasauqua; Rowland T. mentioned hereinafter; George, who was superintendent for the Westchester Lighting Company at White Plains, New York, for a couple of years; later was connected with the Davies and Thomas Company's Works but is now serving a responsible position in New York; James T., who is mentioned later, and two infant children who died at Parryville.
Mr. Davies passed away at his late residence, Second and Race Streets, Catasauqua, Monday evening, October 1, 1894, after an illness of two days. The funeral took place on Thursday afternoon from his late residence, the Rev. C. M. Simpson, his pastor, preaching an eloquent discourse, the Rev. Dr. Earle, of the First Presbyterian Church, offering the prayer, and a selected choir rendering appropirate music. It was one of the largest and most eloquent tributes ever paid to a deceased citizen of Catasauqua.
The workmen attended in a body, and numbered about one hundred and fifty. The remains were interred in the family plot in Fairview Cemetery. Mr. Davies was a most affectionate husband, a devoted father, a loving brother, a true and excellent citizen, a consistent Christian, a considerate employer and on all sides were spoken words of praise for the manner in which he acted the part of a true man. His like is seldom met, and his sudden death was universally regretted. At a meeting of the board of directors, of the Catasauqua School District, the president announced the death of their late fellow-member, George Davies, wheeupon the following was unanimously adopted:
In view of the death of our fellow school director, Mr. George Davies, we, the remaining members of the Board, desire to put on record our conviction that in the death of Mr. Davies the educational interests of Catasauqua have suffered a heavy loss. The public schools have lost a liberal-minded and liberal-handed patron; the teachers and pupils have lost a kind and considerate friend, who was ever ready to promote their interests. In the School Board we have always found in him a congenial associate, a wise and prudent counsellor and an enthusiastic advocate of everything that seemed to be necessary for the improvement of our schools.
As a mark of respect for the departed, we close the schools on the day of the burial, in order that the teachers, as well as the Board of Directors, may attend the funeral in a body; and as a farther mark of respect, we agree to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Mr. Davies by the appointment of his eldest son, Rowland T. Davies, as a member of the Board until the next election.
A special meeting of the Board of Health called and convened October 3, 1894,to take action on the death of Mr. George Davies. On motion the following resolutions were adopted:
Resolved, That in the death of Mr. George Davies the Board loses an honored, esteemed and efficient member, whose wisdom and council will often be missed in our deliberations.
Resolved, That we extend to his bereaved family our heartfelt sympathy in this their hour of trial and sorrow.
Resolved, As a last tribute of respect, we attend his funeral on Thursday, October 4, 1894, in a body. Austin W. Glick, Secretary