Guide to the Lewis Davis Papers
Prepared by Kristen D. Turner and Mark C. Shenise, Associate Archivists
United Methodist Archives and History Center
General Commission on Archives and History of The United Methodist Church
2/13/2002
Overview of Collection
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| Record Creator: |
Davis, Lewis |
| Title: |
Lewis Davis Papers |
| Date Span: |
1853 - 1886 | Click here to view the finding aid format suitable for requesting material at the Archives. |
| Abstract: |
Lewis Davis was a Church of the United Brethren in Christ Bishop and president of Otterbein University and Union Biblical Seminary. The collection is made up of addresses, short writings, and a biographical manuscript on the life of David Edwards. |
| Extent: |
0.53 cubic feet |
| Identification: |
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Biographical Note
Lewis Davis (1814-1890) was considered the "Father of Higher Education" in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. At eighteen, he came under the influence of Methodist itinerants, who encouraged him to enroll in the academy at New Castle, Virginia. For two years, Davis taught at a local school in western Virginia, where he joined the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. He was licensed to preach in 1838, and spent the next eight years as an itinerant in Scioto Conference, where he became a champion of higher education in the church. Davis became a presiding elder in 1845. In 1841 he married Rebecca Bartles.
Davis was the first financial agent for Otterbein University, the new institution projected by the Scioto Conference. In 1850, Davis became president of Otterbein, a position he held until 1871. He was elected bishop in 1853 and held that office until 1860. Davis left Otterbein in 1871 and became senior professor at Union Biblical Seminary (now United Theological Seminary) in Dayton, Ohio. He retired to emeritus status in 1886. His wife survived him by five years.
David Edwards (1816-1876) was a United Brethren bishop and editor. His family immigrated to Ohio when he was five. When he was eighteen, Edwards converted and became a member of the United Brethren Church.
In 1836, he was ordained in the Scioto Conference. In 1845, he was elected editor of the Religious Telescope. He held that position for four years and refused reelection in 1849. Instead, the General Conference elected him bishop, a position he held for six successive terms.
Edwards was instrumental in founding Otterbein University and in establishing the foreign mission work of the church.
Scope Note
The Lewis Davis Papers contain addresses, short writings, and a biographical manuscript on the life of David Edwards. The bulk of the collection is the manuscript on Edwards which can be found in draft and galley proof form. The addresses were given by Davis during his years of teaching and serving as college president. Some of the addresses are graduation speeches. None of the material in this collection contains dates.
Arrangement
Materials have been arranged in the following manner.
Series: Addresses
Series: Manuscripts
Series: Writings
Preferred Citation
When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, Lewis Davis Papers, United Methodist Church Archives - GCAH, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the item's call number as that is not a stable descriptor.
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions regarding this collection.
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Subject Terms |
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Subject Names - Personal |
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:Edwards, David. |
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Subject Names - Corporate |
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Otterbein University |
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Union Biblical Seminary |
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Subject Topics |
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Biography |
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Education. |
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Genre |
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Manuscripts |
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Speeches. |
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Occupations |
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Bishop |
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Educator. |
Series: Addresses
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 1306-5-5:
41 |
Address given at opening of Union Biblical Seminary |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
42 |
Address to graduates of Otterbein University prior to building dedication |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
43 |
Graduation addresses |
Undated |
Series: Manuscripts
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 1306-5-5:
1 |
Draft #1, Chapter 1 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
2 |
Draft #1, Chapter 2 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
3 |
Draft #1, Chapter 3 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
4 |
Draft #1, Chapter 4 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
5 |
Draft #1, Chapter 5 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
6 |
Draft #1, Chapter 6 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
7 |
Draft #1, Chapter 7 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
8 |
Draft #1, Chapter 8 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
9 |
Draft #1, Chapter 9 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
10 |
Draft #1, Chapter 10 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
11 |
Draft #1, Chapter 11 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
12 |
Draft #1, Chapter 12 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
13 |
Draft #2, Chapter 1 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
14 |
Draft #2, Chapter 2 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
15 |
Draft #2, Chapter 3 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
16 |
Draft #2, Chapter 4 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
17 |
Draft #2, Chapter 5 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
18 |
Draft #2, Chapter 6 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
19 |
Draft #2, Chapter 7 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
20 |
Draft #2, Chapter 8 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
21 |
Draft #2, Chapter 9 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
22 |
Draft #2, Chapter 10 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
23 |
Draft #2, Chapter 11 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
24 |
Other drafts of Chapters 1 and 2 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
25 |
Galley proofs, Chapter 1 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
26 |
Galley proofs, Chapter 2 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
27 |
Galley proofs, Chapter 3 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
28 |
Galley proofs, Chapter 4 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
29 |
Galley proofs, Chapter 5 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
30 |
Galley proofs, Chapter 6 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
31 |
Galley proofs, Chapter 7 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
32 |
Galley proofs, Chapter 8 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
33 |
Galley proofs, Chapter 9 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
34 |
Galley proofs, Chapter 10 |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
35 |
Freedom and Education |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
36 |
Life Forces of God in Nature |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
37 |
Theology |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
38 |
Youth |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
39 |
Untitled |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
40 |
Untitled |
Undated |
Series: Writings
| Call Number |
Folder Title |
Date(s) |
| 1306-5-5:
44 |
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
45 |
History of Union Biblical Seminary |
Undated |
| 1306-5-5:
46 |
Personal notations |
Undated |
