75th anniversary of John A. Davis' homegoing

This evening marked 75 years since John A. Davis the founder of Davis College went home to be in Glory. Saturday, March 17, 1934 at 7:45 PM.

The 1934 Theologue records his passing in these words:

His passing from this earth was tranquil. Surrounding his bed were the
members of the family, a sister of Mrs. Davis, Mr. M. C. Patterson, three nurses
who had ministered to him during the entire five weeks of his illness, and a young
man, one of the student body, who was there to aid in the caring of him.
He went out without a struggle. About one-half hour before his passing,
his breathing grew more irregular. Twice they thought he was gone but his
tremendous energy which had characterized his whole life, seemed reluctant to
subside. One minute was here with us and then quickly as a flash, he was in
another world with the One, Whom he had served so faithfully these many years.
His loyal wife, stood by his side until he had breathed his last. Then with
tears streaming down her face she bent over and tenderly kissed the furrowed
brow, whispering as she did so, “It’s all right, John dear, we’ve been together
these thirty-nine years and it’s all right.” And looking around at each one of their
little group and calling each one by their individual names, she said, “You
wouldn’t have been here if it wasn’t for him. The only thing I can think of is the
song, ‘When the Saints Come Marching In.’”
Gordon, his faithful son, who stood at the other side of the bed, bent
emotionally over his father, saying, “Yes, it’s all right father, the Gates of Glory
are opening now and you’re going on to your reward.”

He went onto glory to meet the Lord and Savior he had served for much of his life. Closed his eyes to this realm and opened them in the Heavenly Realms face to face with Jesus.

75 years ago...the last days on earth of Dr. John A. Davis

Friendship Cottage "on the banks of the Susquehanna"

The backside of Friendship Cottage

Looking from the porch onto the Susquehanna

Sunset Knoll site of John A. Davis' grave along with his wife's

John A. Davis' gravestone

This March marks 75 years since Dr. John A. Davis passed away. He passed away on Saturday, March 17, 1934. His health 75 years ago today (February 28, 1934) was fading. He had had a stroke in late January and had never recovered from it. He spent his time in Friendship Cottage overlooking the River as his wife Etta took care of him. Students would come and sing to him one of who was Pastor Carl Wheeler's wife to be, Florence.

Some images of the day, Monday, March 17, 2008

I went down to John A. Davis' house today in memorial of his passing that happened at 7:45 PM on Saturday, March 17, 1934. These are a few of the shots I took today around his house and at his grave. The sunset was also beautiful as it was going down in the west this evening. I almost wonder what the sunset was like 74 years ago a few hours before Dr. Davis saw the Son rise when He took him home.

Friendship Cottage on the Susquehanna River

The west side of the Cottage looking at the River

The porch that looks over the river. I can imagine Dr. Davis coming out here to read his Bible in the evening as the sun set over the hills.

The cottage.

The grave site of Dr. and Mrs. John A. Davis on the Sunset Knoll.

The Grave of John A. Davis (above and below)

A beautiful sunset over the river and the knoll this evening, March 17, 2008.

John A. Davis by Friendship Cottage

As I was doing research for my presidential interviews for the blog I ran across this photo in the 1970 Theologue. I had never seen it before so I scanned it. It is a picture of John A. Davis next to his home, Friendship Cottage, with the Susquehanna in the background. It was most likely taken in the 1920s from his age in the photo.