Henry C. Davis

Henry Clay Davis (July 12, 1845 – April 22, 1912) was a Washington State pioneer, pharmacist, real estate businessman, and speculator who lived in Tacoma and Claquato. He came to Tacoma in 1878 and worked in the pharmacy business for eight years, co-owning a drug-store in the city. Over the years, the store was devastated by fire three times. Davis experienced big losses, and eventually extracted himself from pharmaceutical business, focusing for several years on Tacoma real estate. One of his achievements was the financing of the first-ever three-story brick building in the city. Davis actively participated in other Tacoma organizations: he worked as the city treasurer for three years, was a general agent for the Northern Pacific Railway in the city agency, and was a member of the first city military organization.

In later years, Davis kept making deals and investing in real estate in his native town, Claquato, located near Chehalis, Washington. He entered the mining business, investing in anthracite coal mines along the Cowlitz River.

From 1896 to 1900, Davis was a member of the board of curators of the Washington State Historical Society.