My first introduction to chiropractic was in 1918. Dr. Clyde Keeler, a young chiropractor, came to Terrell, Texas, to practice with a Dr. Brown, who had established an office in Terrell. My father, the late Thomas O. Davis, Sr. , who had a lengthy illness, regained his health as a result of treatments given by Dr. Keeler.
A few years later, Dr. D. M. Shepard established an office in Terrell and at that time I was ill. Dr. Shepard adjusted me in May 1922, and I soon regained my health. During the course of these treatments, Dr. Shepard suggested that I might enjoy being a chiropractor. The idea took root. After teaching school in Kaufman County for four years, I entered the Texas Chiropractic College and graduated in 1926. In preparation for teaching and my profession I attended the University of Texas and Southwest Texas Teachers College in San Marcos, Texas.
The beginning of my practice took place in Marshall, Texas, in the office of Dr. Smith, who had formerly been an M.D. I moved to Liberty County in 1928 and at the present (1974) I am still practicing here. Through these years there have been hardships, but many thrilling experiences have outnumbered the hardships. One of the greatest satisfactions has been to observe the change of attitude, of the public, toward chiropractic.
In my professional life, I have been a member of the Texas Chiropractic Association for 35 years and have served on many committees on the state level. I have served my district as president and state director, I directed the annual state convention for the Texas State Chiropractic Association, in Galveston, Texas. In 1936 I was arrested for practicing medicine without a license. The young attorney, who defended me, Price Daniel, was the same man, who in 1957, as Governor of Texas, appointed me to serve on the Texas State Board of Chiropractic Examiners. I was re-appointed by governor Connally and served on that Board for twelve years. While on the Board, I served as president, vice-president, chairman of the School committee and on the Credential Committee. In 1961 I was named “Chiropractor of the Month” by the Texas State Chiropractic Association. This honor was given in recognition of my civic and governmental contributions to my community as well as service to the chiropractic profession. The coveted Keeler Plaque was awarded to me in 1973.
In civic life, I worked with the Boy Scout movement. I have been a member of the Rotary Club since April 1930 and have enjoyed 28 years of perfect attendance and served as president of this club twice. In addition, I served as director of the chamber of Commerce and Director and president of the Liberty County Unit of the Texas Society for Crippled Children. In service to my city, I served as city councilman for 12 years and was elected mayor of Liberty in 1956 and served four years in that capacity.
Active membership in the Church of Christ has been one of the joys of my life. I have served as Bible teacher, worker with young people, song director and in the official capacity of an elder for many years.
In 1932 I married Ella Horning, a graduate of Southwest Texas University in San Marcos. Mrs. Davis is a former president of the Auxiliary to the Texas Chiropractic Association. We have one daughter, Jangle Davis Baisden, who graduated from Abilene Christian College, where she earned both a bachelor and a master’s degree. She is married to a minister, Joe Baisden, and they have three children.
The chiropractic profession has been a rewarding satisfying and happy experience in my life.
