Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1900.001.049 |
Object Name |
Painting |
Collection |
Statehouse Artwork Collection/Governors' Portraits |
Title |
Portrait of Harry Davis |
Artist |
Wright, Edith Stevenson, 1883-1975 |
Date |
1922 |
Description |
Half-length portrait of Ohio's 49th governor, Harry Davis, who served from 1921 to 1923. He wears a dark jacket with a white shirt and a dark red tie. He has gray hair. |
Material |
Oil Paint/Canvas/Wood |
Notes |
Harry Lyman Davis was born on January 25, 1878, in Cleveland, Ohio. His father was an iron and steelworker and served several terms in the Ohio legislature where he was a strong supporter of labor issues. Harry Davis attended public schools and, upon graduation, held numerous jobs. At age eighteen he became a steel worker. He also served as a page in the Ohio legislature. Davis eventually settled upon two careers -- politics and insurance. In 1909, Davis, a virtual unknown candidate, won election as Cleveland's treasurer. He held this office for two years. In 1915, he successfully won Cleveland's mayoral seat, running for the Republican Party. Davis held this office until 1920, when he resigned to run for governor. In the gubernatorial election of 1920, Davis faced opposition from A. Victor Donahey, the Democratic Party candidate, and Frank B. Hamilton, the Socialist candidate. Davis defeated Donahey by 121,000 votes, while Hamilton placed a distant third with just 43,000 votes. This was an important victory for the Republican Party, as Democrat James M. Cox had held the governor's seat the last two terms. As governor, Davis' main contribution to Ohio was the Administrative Reorganization Code of 1921. Following World War I, many Americans, including numerous Ohioans, sought a more efficient and smaller government at the state and federal levels. The Administrative Reorganization Code addressed these concerns, by reordering the state government. This legislation dramatically increased the governor's power, giving this official the power to appoint the directors of eight separate administrative departments. The governor was to consult with the Ohio Senate before making appointments, but the governor did not have to follow the senators' advice. The eight departments were finance, commerce, highways and public works, agriculture, health, industrial relations, education, and public welfare. Each director would have complete control over his or her respective department, but the directors served at the will of the governor. This new administrative system streamlined the Ohio state government dramatically by cutting thirty-seven agencies, boards, commissions, and offices. In 1922, Davis decided not to seek reelection and returned to Cleveland, where he formed the Harry L. Davis Insurance Company. He received the Republican Party's nomination for governor in 1924, but he lost the race to A. Victor Donahey. After this setback, Davis avoided the political limelight until 1933, when he, once again, became Cleveland's mayor. He held this office until 1935. Davis died on May 21, 1950. |
Provenance |
In 1867, the Ohio General Assembly passed a joint resolution relative to the governors of Ohio. The legislators resolved that "the secretary of state, on the first Monday of January next, whether the portraits of the governors of Ohio, state and territorial, can be procured, and if so, whether original portraits or copies, and the probable expense of procuring such portraits for the governor's office." The portrait of Governor Harry Davis is signed and dated by society artist Gordon Stevenson, 1922. There is no documentation about this portrait located at present. The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board took over the care of the Statehouse and its collections in 1988. |
Image size |
30" x 25-1/2" |
Frame size |
34" x 29" |
Frame desc |
First-half twentieth century gilt molded frame with carved beaded liner |
People |
Davis, Harry Lyman, 1878-1950 Wright, Edith Stevenson, 1883-1975 |
Search Terms |
Ohio Governor Ohio Governor's Portraits |
Subjects |
Governors Painting Portrait paintings |