Representative John Clay Davies

John Clay Davies II (May 1, 1920 – June 17, 2002) was an American businessman, public relations executive, and Democratic politician who served one term as a United States Representative from New York from 1949 to 1951. His service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history in the early Cold War era, and he represented the interests of his New York constituents during the 81st Congress.

Davies was born on May 1, 1920, in Albany, New York. He was the older of two children and the grandson of John Clay Davies, who had served as Attorney General of New York, linking him to a family tradition of public service and legal and political engagement in the state. He grew up in upstate New York and completed his secondary education at Camden High School in Camden, New York.

Following high school, Davies pursued higher education at several institutions. He attended the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa and later studied at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. His time at Hamilton College, where he was a member of the Class of 1942, helped lay the groundwork for his later work in communications, business, and politics, although his professional career developed primarily outside of formal legal or academic roles.

Davies began his professional life in journalism and public relations. In 1940 and 1941 he served as editor of the Camden Chronicle, a local newspaper, gaining early experience in writing, editing, and community affairs. From 1941 to 1943 he maintained public relations offices in Albany, New York, marking the start of a long association with public relations work. Between 1943 and 1946 he was employed in the public relations department of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation in New York City, where he worked during and immediately after World War II. He then became vice president of the Earle Ferris Co. Inc., a New York City firm, serving in that capacity from 1946 to 1948. In 1948 he moved to Utica, New York, where he became a partner in a public relations business, a position he held until 1953.

Building on his background in communications and his family’s political legacy, Davies entered electoral politics as a member of the Democratic Party. He was elected as a Democrat to the 81st Congress from New York in the 1948 elections, winning a closely contested race by a margin of just 138 votes. He served a single term in the U.S. House of Representatives from January 3, 1949, to January 3, 1951. During this period he participated in the legislative process as a member of the House of Representatives, contributing to debates and votes on domestic and international issues that confronted the United States in the immediate postwar years. His tenure reflected the Democratic Party’s priorities of the era and the concerns of his district’s constituents. In 1950 he sought reelection to the 82nd Congress but was unsuccessful, bringing his congressional service to an end after one term.

After leaving Congress, Davies returned to public service at the local level and to his professional roots in writing and public relations. He served as Deputy County Clerk for Oneida County, New York, continuing his involvement in governmental administration. He later relocated to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he worked as a writer and public relations executive, extending his communications career into an international and bilingual environment. John Clay Davies II died in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on June 17, 2002, closing a life that combined journalism, business, and public office, including a notable term in the United States House of Representatives representing New York.