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Overview

Biographical Note

Scope and Content

Arrangement

Preferred Citation

Restrictions on Access

Subject Terms

Container List [ + ]

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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

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:



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.


Subject Terms

Subject Names - Personal
:Edwards, David.
Subject Names - Corporate
Otterbein University
Union Biblical Seminary
Subject Topics
Biography
Education.
Genre
Manuscripts
Speeches.
Occupations
Bishop
Educator.


Container List


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