Life, 1926-04-22 · page 29 of 40
Life — April 22, 1926 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire**, but rather a **paid advertisement** disguised as editorial content—a common practice in early 20th-century magazines. The page celebrates John Davey, founder of the Davey Tree Expert Company (headquartered in Kent, Ohio). The narrative frames Davey as an American success story: an English-born, self-educated man who taught himself to read as an adult, immigrated to America, and built a thriving business in tree surgery and landscape care. The accompanying portrait shows a distinguished gentleman in formal dress—the visual embodiment of Victorian respectability and achievement. **For modern readers**: This represents advertorial propaganda, blending biographical glorification with brand promotion. The "great contribution to America" framing elevates commercial tree care to patriotic importance, while the rags-to-riches immigrant narrative served as persuasive marketing to potential customers and investors during the industrial era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ohn Davey’ great contribution to America John Davey was born in England, June 6, 1846, at a time w were no public schools. This hardy and humble genius was twenty-< fore he knew his A BC's. So h in as a full grown young man to learn to read by the slow and pai of self-education. He began with a New Testament and a small dictionary, g Out one word at a time. La mar so that b her properly, meal ing horticulture and landscape gard ing a full apprenticeship at Torqu: call of Ai and oppo s of other sturdy sons of E to work out his destiny. F still further, working by day and studying by night, until he acquired an education that would do credit to the majority of college Perhaps one of the most striking things ne appalling neglect and bute was the fact that he became one st Americans, r our Constitution. verse of Ar d,u songs with a zeal that was good to sce He became a full citizen at ¢ THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT CO., INC., 426 CITY BANK BLDG., KENT, OHIO telephones: New York, 501 Fifth Ave, phow: Murray Hill ; Pbiladelphia, Land Bide; Bal fale, 110 Franklin St.; Cleveland, Hippodr polis, Pletcher Savings and Trust Bldg; Chicage, Worm! Low Minseapelus, Andras Bide; Montreal, Inswrance Exchange Bldg. DAVEY TREE SURGEONS Live and work in your vicinity —quickly available, within easy motoring distance—no carfare charged comicbooks.com