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AVIS, ARTHUR POWELL, civil engineer, was born in Decatur, Illinois, February 9, 1861. His parents were John and Martha P. Davis. His father was a farmer and editor, was prominent in the antislavery movement, and from 1891 to 1895 was a member of congress.

Arthur Powell Davis was graduated from the Kansas state normal school, and after working for some years took a course in engineering in the Columbian university, from which institution he was graduated in 1888. He commenced the active work of his profession in 1882, as assistant topographer of the United States Geological Survey; he was promoted topographer, 1884, hydrographer, 1894, and engineer in 1902. He has served as chief hydrographer to both of the Isthmian canal commissions, and at this writing is assistant chief engineer of the government work of reclaiming arid lands.

In his childhood and youth he had good health, spending most of his time in the country. He had plenty of hard work, and overcame many difficulties in acquiring an education. He was married to Elizabeth P. Brown, June 20, 1888. They have had five children, four of whom are living in 1904. Mr. Davis is a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, and of the Cosmos club of Washington. The limited time which he has for relaxation is given to reading, mainly in the line of engineering. He is the author of "Water Storage on Gila River," "Water Storage on Salt River," "Hydrography of Nicaragua," "Hydrography of the American Isthmus" and "Elevation and Stadia Tables," "Comparison of Nicaragua and Panama Routes," and of many scientific articles in papers and magazines. He favors free trade, and advocates the principle of a "single tax" on land values. His choice of a profession was determined in part by personal preference and in part by circumstances. In youth he was fond of history, but in later years he has found technical engineering works the most helpful reading. To the influence of his mother he traces his first strong impulse to strive for success. He would advise young men in all lines of business or in professional life to guard against a "lack of system and thoroughness."