and finally completed his schooling by a four years'
training at the Liverpool Mechanics' Institute, which at
that period was one of the two high-class educational
establishments Liverpool possessed. Age has added to its
honour and prestige, and to-day, as the Liverpool
Institute, it is justly proud of the many
"wranglers" and others who have gone forth from
its walls and have gained distinction in the worlds of
science, art, and letters.
At the age of
thirteen Tom entered the "nurseries," and
although the son of his father, he had to undertake the
menial duties of boy. Here he remained for four years,
when, to add to his experience, he entered the nurseries
of Messrs. J. A. Henderson and Co., Pine Apple Place,
Maida Vale, London, where he also remained two years,
afterwards spending one year in the gardens of Mr. John
Shaw Leigh, Looton Hoo, Bedfordshire. From here he
returned to the Wavertree nurseries, where he has
remained to the present.
In 1855 he married Ellen, daughter of
the late Edward Burnett, professor of music, of
Liverpool; but she died, without issue, on 30th November,
1883, since when Bro. Davies has remained a widower. It
was in contemplation of his marriage that he joined the
Good Intent Lodge, of the West Derby District, on the
18th July, 1855. He immediately commenced to take an
active interest in the working and management of the
lodge, filling minor offices, acting as assistant,
secretary, and several times auditor, until, in July,
1863, he was unanimously appointed permanent secretary,
which office he held with credit to himself and advantage
to the lodge and district for a period of 22 years,
resigning in 1885, since which time he has held the
position of lodge treasurer.
He attended his first district meeting
in June, 1860, and at the same was appointed on of the
district auditors. He has attended many subsequent
meetings, and his counsel and advice are at all times
listened to and respected. In April, 1864, we find him on
a Special Committee of the district, to take into
consideration the rendering of assistance to the
Birkenhead District, and sending a contingent to take
part in the procession at the A.M.C. held there in that
year. He was also on the Special Committee appointed to
consider the adoption by his district of the graduated
tables, etc., passed at that A.M.C.
In 1877 he was on the Sub-Committee
appointed to revise the District Rules, and has served on
many subsequent committees for various purposes.
In June, 1877, he was nominated for the
position of D.G.M., to which he was unanimously elected
in the following December, and at the end of his term he
was unanimously elected to the higher position of Grand
Master of the District.
On many occasions he has been nominated
for the A.M.C.'s, but business or other engagements have
generally compelled him to retire from the election; but,
despite his many engagements, he attended as delegate the
A.M.C.'s at Reading (1884), Aberystwyth |
