Davis, Katherine Wallace (Died)

Mrs. Katherine Wallace Davis, mother of Mrs. Thomas E. Thompson, 1311 Ashland avenue, passed away Tuesday morning. Mrs. Davis, a resident of Wilmette for 20 years, was prominent in Chicago musical circles and wrote several plays and books for children. She made her first appearance before the public as a singer, being the soprano in the historic Chicago Lady quartet.

Mrs. Davis was soloist in Unity church services and at the Sunday afternoon concerts given by Harrison M. Wild during the winter season for a number of years. Following this Mrs. Davis originated and compiled the "Cradle Songs of Many Nations" in which she trained school children to sing the lullabies. The "Cradle Songs of Many Nations," afterbeing sung by Mrs. Davis in recital and being prsented by the children in public schools in Chicago as benefit performances for library funds, still retained enough popularity to create the public demand for a book.

This inspired Mrs. Davis to write music and arrange material in available form, and, in time, the book was published. Since then "Christmas Songs" and "Singing Rhymes and Games" have been added to her list.

"The Punchinellos," a story of southern Italy, was Mrs. Davis' first piece of fiction. It was followed by several playlets for children.

Mrs. Davis was branch librarian at the Laurel school for many years.

Besides the daughter, Mrs. Davis is survived by a granddaughter, Katherine Thompson, a sister, Mrs. Jessie W. Gillis of Chicago, and a brother, Genio Wallace of Evanston. Mrs. Davis was the mother of the late William Wallace Davis of Chicago.

The funeral services are to be held this afternoon (Thursday) at 2:30 o'clock in Memorial Park cemetery.