Thomas Whitman Davis (1881 - 1956)

Born 9 Jan 1881 in Kosciusko, Attala, Mississippi, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Jennie Jeffries (Featherston) Davis — married 22 Dec 1909 in Macon, Noxubee, Mississippi, USA

Descendants

Died 19 Jan 1956 at age 75 in Oxford, Lafayette, Mississippi, United States

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Biography

Whitman was a librarian

Thomas Whitman Davis was born on 9 January 1881 in Kosciusko, Attala County, Mississippi. He went by the name Whitman. His parents were William Van Davis (1828-1884) and Susannah Morrison Porter (1841-1908). He was named for Whitman Mitchell, who married his father's sister Nancy, and was killed in the Civil War in 1865.

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Birth

Birth:

Date: 9 Jan 1881

Place: Kosciusko, Attala, Mississippi, USA^{[8][9][10][11][12][13][14]}

Death

Death: Age: 75

Date: 19 Jan 1956

Place: Oxford, Lafayette, Mississippi, USA^[15]

Residence

Residence:

Date: 1917-1918

Place: Noxubee, Mississippi^[16]

Residence:

Place: Noxubee, MS^[17]

Residence:

Date: 1935

Place: Oxford, Lafayette, Mississippi^[18]

Residence: Age: 58Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Head

Date: 1 Apr 1940

Place: Oxford, Lafayette, Mississippi, United States^[19]

Residence: Age: 38Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Son-in-law

Date: 1920

Place: Macon, Noxubee, Mississippi, USA^[20]

Residence: Age: 19Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Son

Date: 1900

Place: Kosciusko, Attala, Mississippi, USA^[21]

Residence: Age: 48Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Head

Date: 1930

Place: Oxford, Lafayette, Mississippi, USA^[22]

Burial

Burial: St. Peter's Cemetary, Oxford, Miss.

Place: Oxford, Lafayette County, Mississippi, USA^[23]

Note

Note: Librarian of Mississippi A & M, later Miss. State University from 1905 to 1918 and 1921-1928. Then went to Oxford as Librarian at University of Miss. from 1928 to 1953. He made the move because his oldest daughter, Mary Winifred, was about to start college and Miss. A & M was all male.

From "Mississippi Library News", on his retirement: To Mr. Davis, perhaps more than to any one person, Mississippians owe a debt of gratitude for the present stage of development of library service in the state. It was the vision and foresight of Mr. Davis that was responsible for the organization of the Miss. Library Association in 1909 and for the establishment of the Library Commission in 1926. It was he who for sixteen years was president of the Library Association, trying all the time to arouse public interest in libraries.."

His academic education was received at A. and M. College (now MIss. State) and at the University of Chicago. He received a library certificate from Chautauqua, N.Y. Library School and a library degree from the U. of Ill Library School.

He was a Past-Master of Masonic Lodges in Starkville and Macon.

From Echoes: A History of the Mitchell Memorial Library, by Margaret Peeples

PART II

THE DAVIS YEARS: 1905-1918, l92l-l928

For twenty years from 1905-1918, l92l~l928, Thomas Whitman Davis, endowed with a vision and zeal for libraries, served as librarian of the Mississippi A&M College. Educated at Mississippi A&M College and the University of Chicago, he also held a library science degree from the University of Illinois and a library certificate from the Library School, Chautauqua, New York. Whitman Davis,saw the library as a tool to fulfil the purposes of the college: teaching, research, and service. He made a continued effort to strengthen and enrich the library and the library profession. Recognizing the library as a teaching aid to the teacher, he conducted a course in the use of the library for vocational education students in 1911. He believed that the librarian was entitled to the privileges of the teacher and as early as 1906 he spoke out for faculty rank and status with equal pay for librarians. "At the north, librarianship is beginning to be classed among the professions, and the librarian must have more time to do a great deal of study in order to meet his standard of work."11

Deeply aware of the lack of books in Mississippi, he asked for $2,000 in his first report to establish a traveling library program over the state. He felt that it was almost criminal to teach a child to read and not provide him with books. Although defeated in his request, he likely sowed the seed that led to the package libraries established by the Service Bureau in 1916 under President W. H. Smith.

These package libraries were clippings on various subjects from newspapers, magazines, and other sources and were a part of the service of the Department of General Information and Welfare. Mounted in brown, wrapping paper folders, the package libraries were loaned by mail for two-week periods to citizens of Mississippi who did not have access to libraries or books. This service was transferred to the library in 1923 and became the Extension Department of the library which continued the original service of the Bureau.

Determined to arouse interest in libraries in the state, Mr. Davis met on October 29, 1909, in Jackson with eleven interested persons. These people, with Mr. Davis as the leader, formed an association to further the interest of the libraries. The association became the Mississippi Library Association. Because of this activity and his service as its president for sixteen years, he was called the "father of the Mississippi Library Association. He was also instrumental in 1926 in the organization of the Mississippi Library Commission.

By 1909 the library had again outgrown its allotted space in the science building, when Mr. Davis bravely asked for the offices of two of the professors for the cataloging room. Nothing indicates that he got the rooms; however, he later asked for the entire floor. A few years afterward, he became more aggressive and asked for the entire building. By this time there were 18,000 volumes in the library. A circulation department seems to have existed by 1908. It was reported as being open twelve months in the year. A reference department is mentioned in 1911. Mr. Davis was convinced that the worth and efficiency of a library is shown by the "amount of reference work done" and not by the number of books checked out. Placing the greater emphasis on reference, he strove to supply the library with needed reference books for faculty and student research.

The Staff Concern with the ever mounting chores which were requiring more skill sent Whitman Davis to the president as early as 1906 to ask for trained staff. The president's reply to this request was that he should be content with a "fellow" at $300 a year. This apparently did not satisfy Mr. Davis‘ need, for in 1908 when Mr. Davis commended students J. N. Toole and J. B. Ray, he said, "but the greatest need is trained help and I trust that the time is not far distant when I have at least one trained assistant."

Begging again in 1911 for more qualified staff, he also asked for someone at the desk to charge and discharge books. This person, he felt, did not need to be trained, "I think that we could get a young lady for $30 or $40 a month who would give satisfaction.“ He also stated that the library needed about $5,000 annually.

Poor health was the contributing factor in gaining the first trained librarian. Mr. W. W. Foote of Oberlin College was faced with moving South because of his wife's health. From 1910 to 1915 he served as assistant librarian. He came with several years of experience and received $1,200 for his service. No mention is made of his chores, but he is commended in the librarian's report for excellent work.

The first woman to be employed seems to be Miss L. B. Tillman on March 1, 1911 as temporary assistant. She replaced students J. B. Roberds. Other "working boys" were J. S. McBee, M. D. Smith, I. I. Harrington, and C. C. Greer. Grace Barnes from Indiana shows up in September 1914 when Mr. Davis recommends that her salary be raised from $65 to $70 and stated that he needed another cataloger to catch up with the backlog of uncataloged books. Miss Barnes had studied library science at the University of Illinois. Miss Laura Hall who had studied library science in Atlanta succeeded Miss Barnes on September l, 1915 as cataloger and assistant librarian. Apparently desperate for help, the Davis report of 1915/16 says, "You can hardly appreciate the great need for more and better help unless you could see more of our work."l4 This remark seems to indicate that the president was an infrequent visitor to the library. A In 1916 Miss Olive Moncrief joined the library staff as desk assistant. She served as assistant librarian to Miss Hall during the years 1918-1921.

During the war years, 1916-1917, Mr. Davis served as State Director of Camp Libraries at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. Apparently he was still serving as librarian during this time. Unfortunately Mr. Davis seemed to be plagued with some health problems. In 1912 he was in New Orleans for medical treatment and in August 1915 he had surgery in Chicago. On November 25, 1917, he wrote to President Smith from Camp Shelby telling him that he would have to give up his work at the camp.* A following letter indicates that Dr. Eckford of Starkville had advised him to go to New Orleans for treatment and not to return to work until January, advising him further to go to Macon, Mississippi to recuperate. The letter also mentions his diet of milk and raw eggs.

Mr. Davis resigned as librarian January 1918 going as advised to Macon where he became the proprietor of The Community Store; dealer in groceries, woodenware, tinware, glassware, seeds. The store was likewise a 5 cent, 10 cent, and 25 cent store. On February 2, 1918, Mr. Davis wrote the president that business was "increasingly satisfactory and my health is better." In 1921 Mr. Davis returned to the college and resumed his position as librarian.

On his return Mr. Davis commended Miss Hall for her work and presented the following needs of the library for 1922-1923: Report of General Library Whitman Davis, Librarian. From February 1, 1918 to June 1, 1921, Miss Laura Hall has served as librarian and I wish to commend her for her work during that trying period. Knowing as I did the already crowded condition of the library when she assumed control, I do not hesitate to say that I think she has done her work splendidly.

The work of the past two years has already been presented in the annual reports and I shall confine myself primarily to making recommendations for the next two years. I recommend that heat, water, and light for the library be paid direct from support funds and not be charged to the library.

We will need the following: 1922 1923 Salary of librarian $3600 $3600 Salary of assistant $1500 $1500 Salary one assistant $1200 $1200 Salary new assistant $1200 Janitor $ 600 $ 600 Student assistants $ 600 $ 600 Binding books and periodicals $ $500 $ 500 Purchase current periodicals $500 $ 500 Purchase books $2000 $3000 Postage and stationary $ 125 $ 125 Supplies $ 200 $ 500 TOTAL $5225 $8725

The Davis Building

Restless in his demands, Mr. Davis asked for a library building in l908. The president's reply to this was that although this was desirable and needed, other matters were more pressing. However, he told Mr. Davis that a vacant lot had been reserved for the library. No record of the location of the so-called reserved lot was found.

In 1912/l3 Mr. Davis tried to persuade the president by calling attention to the crowded conditions, the heavy weight of the books, and the strain on the small columns apart from other buildings. We need $100,000 for this.“ There were 19,360 volumes and 4,100 public documents reported in the library the following year when 131 book selections were added in an effort to eliminate the most pressing need for shelving space.

By 1915 there was a tone of weariness in his report, "as is my usual custom, I shall call attention to the crowded conditions of the library and recommend that efforts for a new building be continued."

In 1923 Mr. Davis had a new building to move into. Most inaccessible, it was 42 steps above-ground on the third floor of the newly constructed biology building (now Harned Hall).

On June 30, 1923 he wrote in his annual report, "the library has just moved into its new quarters, which was accomplished in two weeks without any service inconvenience to the patrons of the library, the library being open almost as usual . . . we have approximately 35,000 books valued at $44,000."

The Mississippi A&M Alumnus of March 1923 describes the building by saying that it is "notable exteriorly for its great array of large windows." A visitor to the campus was said to comment that there was no use to build the building since the classes were practically outdoors anyway. In this over-lighted, over-exposed area, the library settled down to become more and more crowded. It was destined to sit there for twenty-seven years.

The new area was at least more spacious and usable. To the west, was the pride of Mr. Davis’ heart, the reference room; to the east, the open stacks and the Extension Department. There were two offices, one for the librarian and one for cataloging. A long room on the south side was shelved for the bound periodicals and a smaller adjoining room afforded a place for unbound issues. There was one restroom, for men_only. The center portion was open with a handsome Gothic ceiling extending many feet above. Unfortunately in 1974 when the area was remodelled the beautiful ceiling was sealed in and lost to sight forever. Handsome lamps, that afforded little light for reading, hung from the beams on long chains. Although the area was most attractive, the uncovered windows poured afternoon sunlight across the entire center reading section. Skylights through which the sun poured its relentless heat, were over the center sections of both wings. The card catalog was located in the central area which was divided by a thirty-foot, light oak circulation desk. Behind the desk were stored the Experiment Station and Extension Service publications from the various states. At this time this collection of publications was considered the most extensive and valuable in the South.

The space behind the desk also provided a reading area for campus children. A children's table and eight small chairs were placed near the under~the-window bookshelves and a revolving bookcase which held a small collection of children's books. This was a popular summer spot for faculty children. It was not uncommon to have a dozen children plus one large collie dog come daily to read and borrow books. One child persisted in wearing skates since the concrete floor was ideal for skating. Another small boy had a "thing" with a knife. He arrived almost daily with a long butcher knife which he rested on the windowsill while he read. when he left, he carried his knife with him. He was also known to have ridden his pony in the downstairs hall in pursuit of a frightened girl.

If the president thought that the new quarters would silence Mr. Davis, he was mistaken for almost immediately he began to stress the need for substantial financial support. He asked for $10,000 plus the student fees which had continued to be the only support since 1908. He also renewed his plea for faculty status, rank, pay, and the right of librarians to vote in faculty affairs.

In 1927/28 Mr. Davis concluded his reports with these remarks, "By comparison with other Mississippi libraries our library does not appear in an unfavorable light and yet we have less than 40,000 volumes. Someone has said that any college worth the name should have not less than 100,000 volumes." Sixteen years later the library reached 102,372 volumes.

Mr. Davis resigned in 1928 to accept the position of librarian at the University of Mississippi where he served for twenty years.

The Davis years were productive years. Although he never realized his dream of a separate library building, adequate funds, and staff recognition, his ideas were to be carried forward by each following librarian until they were successful.

WHO'S WHO IN AMERICA

DAVIS, WHITMAN, librarian; born Kosciusko, Miss., Jan. 9, 1881; son of William V. and Sue M. (Porter) Davis.; B.S., Miss. State College, 1904, M.S., 1916; Bachelor of Library Science, University of Illinois, 1933; married Jennie Featherston, Dec. 22, 1909; children--Mary Winifred, Katharine, Jennie. Librarian Mississippi State College, 1905-18, 21-28, U. Miss. since 1928. Member Library Advisory Commission U.S. Office of Education, making survey of land grant colleges; State Director of Library War Work, 1917; organizer Camp Shelby Library, served as librarian 2 mos., 1917. Chairman Miss. Library Commission, 1926-33. Member American Southeastern (v.p. 1926-28, policy committee 1929) Miss. (pres. 1910-11, 16-18, 21-33) library association, Pi Gamma Mu. Methodist. Mason. Author pamphlet. Home: Oxford, Miss.

Sources

1. ↑ Source: #S-634210856 Page: Year: 1930; Census Place: Oxford, Lafayette, Mississippi; Roll: 1152; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 0001; Image: 480.0; FHL microfilm: 2340887 APID: 1,6224::37034838
2. ↑ Source: #S-634352927 APID: 1,70614::2058819
3. ↑ Source: #S-634210829 Page: Year: 1900; Census Place: Kosciusko, Attala, Mississippi; Roll: 800; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 0001; FHL microfilm: 1240800 APID: 1,7602::27496178
4. ↑ Source: #S-634251054 Page: Year: 1920; Census Place: Macon, Noxubee, Mississippi; Roll: T625_889; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 89; Image: 267 APID: 1,6061::54086011
5. ↑ Source: #S-634210847 Page: Year: 1940; Census Place: Oxford, Lafayette, Mississippi; Roll: T627_2038; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 36-2B APID: 1,2442::122811359
6. ↑ Source: #S-621633819 APID: 1,3172::923032
7. ↑ Source: #S-631293004 Page: Registration State: Mississippi; Registration County: Noxubee; Roll: 1682943 APID: 1,6482::25812719
8. ↑ Source: #S-634210856 Page: Year: 1930; Census Place: Oxford, Lafayette, Mississippi; Roll: 1152; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 0001; Image: 480.0; FHL microfilm: 2340887 APID: 1,6224::37034838
9. ↑ Source: #S-634352927 APID: 1,70614::2058819
10. ↑ Source: #S-634210829 Page: Year: 1900; Census Place: Kosciusko, Attala, Mississippi; Roll: 800; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 0001; FHL microfilm: 1240800 APID: 1,7602::27496178
11. ↑ Source: #S-634251054 Page: Year: 1920; Census Place: Macon, Noxubee, Mississippi; Roll: T625_889; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 89; Image: 267 APID: 1,6061::54086011
12. ↑ Source: #S-634210847 Page: Year: 1940; Census Place: Oxford, Lafayette, Mississippi; Roll: T627_2038; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 36-2B APID: 1,2442::122811359
13. ↑ Source: #S-621633819 APID: 1,3172::923032
14. ↑ Source: #S-631293004 Page: Registration State: Mississippi; Registration County: Noxubee; Roll: 1682943 APID: 1,6482::25812719
15. ↑ Source: #S-634352927 APID: 1,70614::2058819
16. ↑ Source: #S-631293004 Page: Registration State: Mississippi; Registration County: Noxubee; Roll: 1682943 APID: 1,6482::25812719
17. ↑ Source: #S-621633819 APID: 1,3172::923032
18. ↑ Source: #S-634210847 Page: Year: 1940; Census Place: Oxford, Lafayette, Mississippi; Roll: T627_2038; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 36-2B APID: 1,2442::122811359
19. ↑ Source: #S-634210847 Page: Year: 1940; Census Place: Oxford, Lafayette, Mississippi; Roll: T627_2038; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 36-2B APID: 1,2442::122811359
20. ↑ Source: #S-634251054 Page: Year: 1920; Census Place: Macon, Noxubee, Mississippi; Roll: T625_889; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 89; Image: 267 APID: 1,6061::54086011
21. ↑ Source: #S-634210829 Page: Year: 1900; Census Place: Kosciusko, Attala, Mississippi; Roll: 800; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 0001; FHL microfilm: 1240800 APID: 1,7602::27496178
22. ↑ Source: #S-634210856 Page: Year: 1930; Census Place: Oxford, Lafayette, Mississippi; Roll: 1152; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 0001; Image: 480.0; FHL microfilm: 2340887 APID: 1,6224::37034838
23. ↑ Source: #S-634352927 APID: 1,70614::2058819

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• Repository: R-1098352914 Name: Ancestry.com
• Source: S-631293004 Repository: #R-1098352914 Title: U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Author: Ancestry.com Publication: Ancestry.com Operations Inc APID: 1,6482::0
• Source: S-634210829 Repository: #R-1098352914 Title: 1900 United States Federal Census Author: Ancestry.com Publication: Ancestry.com Operations Inc APID: 1,7602::0
• Source: S-634210847 Repository: #R-1098352914 Title: 1940 United States Federal Census Author: Ancestry.com Publication: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. APID: 1,2442::0
• Source: S-634210856 Repository: #R-1098352914 Title: 1930 United States Federal Census Author: Ancestry.com Publication: Ancestry.com Operations Inc APID: 1,6224::0
• Source: S-634251054 Repository: #R-1098352914 Title: 1920 United States Federal Census Author: Ancestry.com Publication: Ancestry.com Operations Inc APID: 1,6061::0
• Source: S-634352927 Repository: #R-1098352914 Title: Web: Mississippi, Find A Grave Index, 1798-2012 Author: Ancestry.com Publication: Ancestry Operations, Inc. APID: 1,70614::0
• Source: S-634366349 Repository: #R-1098352914 Title: Ancestry Family Trees Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. Page: Ancestry Family Tree Data: Text: http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=64945803&pid=153
• William V. and Sue M. Porter family Bible