Walter M. Davis is the president of the Davis Drug Company, owning one of the leading drug stores of New Haven, and the record of his life is the proof of a fact which a newspaper writer tersely stated as "Success is not dependent on the map but on the time table." In other words Mr. Davis has made splendid use of his time and his opportunities since starting out to earn his living when a lad of fifteen years. He has done thoroughly every-thing that ho has undertaken and from the faithful performance of each day's duties has found courage and inspiration for the labors of the succeeding day.
     Mr. Davis is a native of New Hampshire, his birth having occurred at South Keene, December 11, 1868. His father, Martin L. Davis, was also born in the old Granite state and belonged to one of the early colonial families there. The great-great-grandfather served with the colonists in the Revolutionary war and aided in winning American independence. Martin Davis has devoted his life to manufacturing interests and is now a resident of New Haven, Connecticut. In early manhood he wedded Lucy Harris, a native of that state and also a representative of an old New Hampshire family of English lineage. She passed away in 1910 at the age of fifty-six years.
     Of a family of six children Walter M. Davis was the eldest and to the public school system of his native state he is indebted for the educational opportunities which he en-joyed and which qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties. At the age of fifteen years he started out to provide for his own support and was first employed in a chair factory. For twenty-five years he was connected with E. L. Washburn & Company. By profession he is an optician, but since March, 1913, he has concentrated his energies upon the drug business, organizing and incorporating the Davis Drug Company, since which time a business of large and satisfactory proportions has been developed. Theirs is one of the extensive stores of New Haven, attractively arranged and appointed, and carrying a large line of drugs and druggists' sundries, while the trade methods of the house are such as win for it continued patronage and growing support.
     On the 6th of June, 1896, in New Haven. Mr. Davis was married to Miss Lilian I. Merwin, a native of Woodmont, Connecticut, and a daughter of William H. and Mary E. (Hale) Merwin, the former now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have become parents of two children: Evelyn M., born in August, 1900; and Marguerite, born in April, 1904.
     The family attend the Dwight Place church, in which the parents hold membership. Mr. Davis is also an exemplary representative of Wooster Lodge, No. 9, F. &. A. M., of which he is a past master. He has been very active in Masonry, belongs to the council and the chap-ter and is a member of the Masonic Club. He likewise has membership in the Chamber of Commerce and in the Publicity Club and is a representative of that modern, progressive spirit which has manifested itself in organization and cooperation for the public good. He has many sterling characteristics, both as a man and a citizen, and his position in commercial circles is commendable.