Edward Henry Davey architect and politician born Saint John's is best known, along with his brother George, as builders of the city of Saint John"s after the great fire of 1892.
Background
Davey educated at the Central School in Saint John's underwent an apprenticeship with his father, also a carpenter, and formed a partnership between father and son. Upon the death of his father he went into business with his brother George and to form E.H. and G. Davey, Contractors, Builders and Ships Joiners.
Career
The company’s offices were located at 111 Bond Street with wharf and stores situated on the Saint John's waterfront. In the aftermath of the great fire of 1892 there was great demand for architects, contractors and builders. The Davey brothers were at the forefront of this massive effort and were responsible for many of the new buildings that were erected in the months following the fire:
the British Hall
By 1900 the company was very successful and Davey decided to enter politics.
Davey spent 11 years as Master of Health Administration for Burin.
He was re-elected in the general election of 1904. Davey and Gear were returned to the House of Assembly in the famous tie-election of 1908.
He was re-elected in the 1909 election. 5 of the Society of United Fishermen, a philanthropic and fraternal organization founded in Heart’s Content in 1871.
Davey was also a very good cricket player and was elected president of the Avalon Cricket Club in 1891.
He was also quite prominent in the Freemasons.
Membership
He was a long-time member of Saint John's Lodge Number.