In 1870 Charles F. Davis and his brother, William P. Davis, established W. P. Davis, later W. P. Davis Machine Co., to make machine tools including drill presses and lathes. In 1915, Charles, his brother having since died, sold the business in Oct. or Nov. 1915 to a syndicate operating as Davis Machine Tool Co., Inc. By 1916, Charles established a new business, C. F. Davis Machine Co., to continue the manufacture of machine tools, including key seaters and engine lathes; during World War I they manufactured the "Liberty Lathe" model. The business continued until at least 1926, according to Rochester City Directories. Their last address was 166-170 N. Water St.
In 1931, at age 72, Charles was struck in a hit-and-run accident and subsequently died of his injuries.
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