Lewis Davis Papers

Lewis Davis (1814-1890) was considered the "Father of Higher Education" in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. At eighteen, he came under the influence of Methodist itinerants, who encouraged him to enroll in the academy at New Castle, Virginia. For two years, Davis taught at a local school in western Virginia, where he joined the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. He was licensed to preach in 1838, and spent the next eight years as an itinerant in Scioto Conference, where he became a champion of higher education in the church. Davis became a presiding elder in 1845. In 1841 he married Rebecca Bartles.

Davis was the first financial agent for Otterbein University, the new institution projected by the Scioto Conference. In 1850, Davis became president of Otterbein, a position he held until 1871. He was elected bishop in 1853 and held that office until 1860. Davis left Otterbein in 1871 and became senior professor at Union Biblical Seminary (now United Theological Seminary) in Dayton, Ohio. He retired to emeritus status in 1886. His wife survived him by five years.

David Edwards (1816-1876) was a United Brethren bishop and editor. His family immigrated to Ohio when he was five. When he was eighteen, Edwards converted and became a member of the United Brethren Church.

In 1836, he was ordained in the Scioto Conference. In 1845, he was elected editor of the Religious Telescope. He held that position for four years and refused reelection in 1849. Instead, the General Conference elected him bishop, a position he held for six successive terms.

Edwards was instrumental in founding Otterbein University and in establishing the foreign mission work of the church.