The 1904 Democratic National Convention nominated a ticket of Alton B. Parker for president and Davis for vice president . Davis was chosen primarily for his ability to provide funding to the campaign . At 80 years old , he remains the oldest person to ever serve on a major party 's national ticket . The Republican ticket of Theodore Roosevelt and Charles W. Fairbanks prevailed by a wide margin . After the election , Davis helped establish Davis & Elkins College , and he died in 1916
1904 Democratic National Convention
1904 Democratic National Convention
Henry Gassaway Davis