Short Biography of Adolphus Davis

2016. DANIEL. (2001, Joseph, 1983. Daniel, 10. Daniel, 2. James, 1. Thomas.) 5th child, 2d s. of Joseph Draper and Mary Robbins. m. 1st:—Sep. 18, 1817, Medfield, Mass., Hannah, dau. of Isaiah Smith and Sally Clark. She was b. Medfield, Jan. 26, 1793. d. there May 11, 1825. He m. 2dly: Mar. 1, 1826, Nancy, dau. of Warner Clafflin and Nancy Pond. She was b. Roxbury, Mass., Sep. 1, 1803. d. Boston, Dec. 11, 1878.

Daniel Draper, formerly a merchant in Boston, Mass., early in life was very poor, but by perseverance and industry accumulated a fortune. He became a dealer in cattle, and afterwards formed the firm of Draper & Hudson, dealers in West India fruits and Mediterranean products; later the firm of Daniel Draper & Sons, who were the largest shipowners and merchants in Mediterranean and South American products in Boston, and also ice merchants. He was one of the founders of the Boston Ice Company. Mr. Draper died at the age of 78 years. He was a strong Democrat, but never aspired for or held any political office.

The following is an editorial notice in the "Boston Post" of June 3, 1867:

"The death of Mr. Daniel Draper was announced in the evening papers on Saturday. He died at his late residence in this city, the morning of that day, at the advanced age of 78 years and 6 months. Mr. Draper was distinguished for enterprise and sagacity as a business man, and accumulated a very large fortune. He was remarkable for his self-reliance and freedom of thought, expression and action. As a citizen he was faithful to all his obligations, in his friendships constant, and in every domestic relation affectionate and indulgent. Among our oldest and most successful merchants he will be remembered as a striking example of what intelligent and constant labor is capable of accomplishing, and as a citizen, friend and relative, as one whose long life has been crowned with respect and tender regard."

CHILDREN, BY 1ST WIFE:

2075. I. Daniel Robbins, b. Boston, Aug. 6, 1818. d. Brighton, Mass., Mar. 19, 1822.

2076. II. David Smith, b. Boston, Apr. 15, 1820. d. New York, Apr. 3, 1885.

2077. III. Mary Robbins, b. Brighton, Mass., Mar. 5, 1822. m. at Purchase St. Church, Boston, Dec. 22, 1846, Adolphus, s. of Abner Davis and Nancy Cobb, of Barnstable, Mass. Mr. Davis was b. Barnstable, Mass., Mar. 23, 1810. d. Arlington, Mass., Nov. 2, 1885.

Children: I. Daniel Abner, 2086. b. Boston, Sep. 22, 1847. m. New York, June 1, 1882, Minnie Estelle, dau. of Dr. Frank Hastings Hamilton and Mary Gertrude Hart. She was b. Buffalo, N. Y., June 7, 1855. He came to New York in 1868, and 5 years later became a member of the firm of Converse, Stanton & Davis, until 1886. Then he became a partner in the present firm of Deering, Milliken & Co. (Child: Frank Hamilton, 2089. b. New York, Dec. 6, 1883.)

II. Mary Eliza, 2087. b. Boston, Sep. 14, 1850. m. Arlington, Mass., Sep. 17, 1873, John Edward, Jr., s. of John Edward Devlin and Martha Josephine Day. (Children: I. Marjorie Standish, 2090. b. Arlington, June 13, 1874.

II. John Edward, 2091. b. Wilton, N. H., July 24, 1876.)

III. Julia Draper, 2088. b. Boston, Dec. 5, 1852. m. New York, Mar. 27, 1878, Frank Hall, s. of William Clement Scott and Maria Frances Crawford. He was b. Terre Haute, Ind., Apr. 7, 1848. (Children: I. Donald, 2092. b. New York, June 4, 1879. II. Clement, 2093. b. New York, Nov. 16, 1880.)

Source: "The Drapers in America : being a history and genealogy of those of that name and connection" ²⁴⁵