Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 03.djvu/160

 DAVES

DAVID

patented, and a company was formed in New York city for the manufacture of electro-magnetic engines and the prosecution of furtlier experi- ments. By the dishonesty of an agent the com- pany failed, and from his own slender resources he continued his exiieriments. In 1840 he began the publication of a paper called. The Electro- Magnet, printed on a press propelled by one of his electric machines. The want of pecuniary means comi>elled him to suspend operations and in 1842 he returned with his family to his home in Brandon, Vt. Up to 1842 he had built over a hundred machines of different styles and con- struction. His only source of power was the primary battery and he had practically accom- plished all that could be done, until the dynamo came into use forty years later. In the course of the eighteen years of his lalwrs Davenport's experiments covered a wide tield. He early dis- covered that power might be transmitted to a distance by a wire, and he sent telegraphic mes- sages long before he had ever heard of Professor Morse, whose acquaintance he afterward made in New York. He discovered the helix principle, built some engines on that principle, and had it patented in England. After his return to Ver- mont he removed to a farm in Salisbury, where he began experimenting in sound as affected by the electric current. He applied the current to the strings of a piano, tlius ptrolonging the tones at the will of the player. For this invention he had just filed his caveat in the U.S. patent office when he was stricken with his last illness. His greatest work, however, was the rotarj' electric motor, of which Franklin L. Pope in the Elec- trical Evfjineer (1896) said: " If this [Davenport's] patent, which expired in February, 1851, were in force today, it is not too much to say that upon a fair judicial construction of its claim, every successful motor now running would be em- braced within its scope." Mr. Davenport died in Sali-sbury, Vt., July 6. 1851.

DAVES, Edward Graham, educator, was born in New Bern. N.C., March 31, 1833; son of John Pugh and Elizabeth Batchelor (Graham) DaA-es, and grandson of Capt. John Daves of the 3d regiment. North Carolina Continental infantry, and an original memV)er of the North Carolina society of the Cincinnati. He was fitted for college at the New Bern academy and by private tutors and was graduated from Harvard in 1854, second in his class. He was graduated from Harvard law school in 1856, entered the law office of Brown & Brune, Baltimore, Md., and was admitted to the Maryland bar in the .same year. In the fall of 1856 he accepted the chair of Greek in Trinity college, Hartford, Conn., and remained there until 1861 when he went abroad. He studied and travelled in Europe

until 1871, attended lectiu-es at the University of Bonn, and kept a private school for American boys at Vevey, Switzerland. On his return to Baltimore he devoted his time to lecturing and private teaching. He organized the Roanoke colony memorial association which purcliased and preserved Fort Raleigli on Roanoke Island, N.C.; was the organizer and first president of the Harvard alumni association of Maryland; one of the charter members of the Society of the sons of the Revolution in Maryland, and a mem- ber of the Society of the Cincinnati of Maryland. He was married June 29, 1855, to ^lary Grace Foster of Cambridge, Mass. Trinity college con- ferred upon him the honorary degree of A.M. in 1857. He is the author of nmnerous monographs and contributions to periodical literature, relat- ing to Colonial and Revolutionary history. He died in Boston, Mass.. Aug. 1, 1894.

DAVEY, Robert C, representative, was born in New Orleans, La., Oct. 22, 1853; son of John Cogan and Margaret (Donahue) Davey. He was graduated from St. Vincent's college. Cape Girardeau, Mo., in 1871. He was a member of the Louisiana senate, 1880-88, and 1892-96, being president pro tempore of that body in 1884 and 1886. He was judge of the first recorder's court, 1880-88. He was a Democratic representative from Louisiana in the 53d congress, 1893-95, declined renomination for the 54th congress, and was elected to the 55th and 58th congresses, serving 1897-1903.

DAVID, John Baptist Mary, R.C. bishop, was born at Coueron, near Nantes, France, June 4, 1761. He acquired his education at the College of the Oratorians and studied theology at the seminary at Nantes. He received tonsure and minor orders in 1783, and resolving to enter the Order of St. Sulpice he pursued his studies at Issy, 1783-85, and was admitted to the priesthood there, Sept. 24, 1785. He was professor of philos- ophy, theology and scripture in the theological seminar J' of the Sulpitians at Angers, 1785-90. He fled from the terrorists during the French Revolution and in 1793 sought refuge in America. He studied English during the voyage and on his arrival was assigned by Bishop Carroll to the .service of the mission in lower Maryland. He was a professor in Georgetown college. 1804-06, and in the theological seminary of St. Sulpice and St. Mary's university, Baltimore, 1806-10. In 1810 he accompanied Bishop Flaget to Bard.stown, Ky., and organized the theological .seminary of St. Thomas, near Bard.stown. of which he was the first superior. The seminary was removed to Bardstown in 1819 and Father David remained its superior until 18.33. He founded the Sisters of Charity at Nazaretli in 1812. and was the ecclesiastical superior of that community until