The Davis Families of Jasper County, Missouri

JAMES W. DAVIS, postmaster, Sarcoxie, is a native of Tennessee, born in Jeflerson county Jan. 5, 1838. His father, Thomas T. Davis, was born in North Carolina. His mother, Sallie Davis, in Virginia. During infancy subject was taken with parents to Cleveland, Bradley county, Tenn. While there he attended the city schools. In 1852 the family came west to Cass county. Mo., where young Davis learned the trade of wagon-maker with his father, who was a mechanic. Three years later family came to Jasper county, locating at Sarcoxie. After coming here our subject commenced blacksmithing for a time, but subsequently re-engaged at his trade. During the years 1859-60 he engaged in milling operations, in which he continued until the breaking out of the war. He then moved to Bunker Hill, Ill., where he remained for a time. Returned to Missouri in 1862, and shortly after enlisted in Company A, Fifth Missouri Cavalry, and served two years. His military experience was principally in operations against Quantrell and Jackson. Hence he knows of the hardships and dangers of guerrilla warfare. After the war he engaged in farming in Saline county. Mo. In November, 1865, he returned to Jasper county, locating on a farm one mile east of Sarcoxie. A decade later he moved to Sarcoxie and followed wagon-making until Dec. 1, 1882, when he took charge of the post-office at this place. Since he has added a full line of groceries, stationery, etc. Mr. Davis was married in Saline county. Mo., Dec. 10, 1857, ito Miss Sarah, daughter of Levi and Mary E. Andrews, of that county. From this union there were nine children: Thomas W., born March 31, 1859, died May 22, 1862; Charles P., born Oct. 20, 1861; Sallie R., born

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As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

THOMAS DAVIS, post-office Jasper, farmer. The subject of this sketch was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, March 13, 1837, and was the son of Samuel and Nancy Davis, natives of Virginia, who moved to Ohio at an early date. Our subject's father, Samuel, worked in the salt mines, and at the age of twenty gave his father three barrels of salt to let him et married to Miss Nancy Young. By this union they had six children, our subject being the third child. He moved to Illinois at the age of fifteen and was there educated, working at home until twenty-five years of age. He was married to Miss Cecelia Hendricks March 3, 1864, and the same year moved to Jasper county. Mo. He built the first store in Midway? now Jasper, and kept store three years; then moved upon his present farm of 129 acres, which is well improved and well worked. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have three children; Mary E., Minnie M., and Charles A., and an adopted boy named George H. Baker. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the Dunkard Church and stand high in the community.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

E. N. DAVIS was born in Howard county, Ind., and is the son of Calvin Davis, who was born in North Carolina and went to Howard county when a small boy. Young Davis was raised on a farm, has a common school education, and a great deal of practical knowledge. In 1872 he went to work in a warehouse and improved his spare time by learning telegraphing, and in two years after going into the warehouse took charge of the telegraph office. Had that one year, and at that time was offered the station, which he refused for a position as conductor of a freight train. He ran that for a short time and then went south and took charge of a station at Saint Clair, Mo. In 1879 went to Pittsburg, Kan,, and then went into the Missouri Pacific and was extra man for some time, but finally located at Jasper and is now agent at that place. "Was married Feb. 20, 1877, to Lizzie James and they have one child.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN J. DAVIS, post-office Maple Grove, has a fine farm of 159 acres, all under cultivation, and raises Northern sugar-cane. He has a molasses factory, and made in 1882 over 8,000 gallons, and has made some of the best sugar in the state made from sugar-cane. This enterprising man was born in Switzerland county, Ind., May 3, 1833, and was reared in Stark county. 111., on a farm. When fifteen years of age he went to breaking prairie and followed that business for ten years. He then moved to Peoria county, Ill., and engaged in making molasses and has continued it ever since. He came to Jasper county. Mo., in 1871, and located on his present farm and engaged in making molasses on a small scale, but now has one of the largest factories in Missouri. He was married to Mary J. Albertson Nov. 9, 1854; she was born July 13, 1839, in Wayne county, Ohio, moved to Indiana, and was there reared and educated. By this union there are nine children: Nettie M. Adams, Mary C. Butler, Elsie Copeland, Eliza J., Zora A. Frazier, Rachel A., Edna B., John J., and Charles E. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the M. E. Church and stand high in the community.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE E. DAVIS.

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George F. Davis is a native of the Prairie state, his birth having occurred on the 18th of February, 1846. He is a son of Alexander and Priscilla (Mc- Kay) Davis, both natives of Kentucky. In 1845 the parents removed from their native state to Illinois, and seven years later, in 1852, came to Missouri, where the wife and mother died in 1889, the father surviving until 1894, when he, too, was called to the world beyond. They had nine children who grew to years of maturity, seven of whom still survive, si.x sons and one daughter.

Mr. Davis, of this review, received his education in Cedar Rapids. Iowa, his parents having removed to Cedar county, Iowa, when he was about seven years of age. Choosing the profession of law as a life occupation, he immediately began the study thereof, and after completing his course, in iSC) lie II once began ])practice in Iowa. He subsequently removed to Livingston county. Missouri, where his brothers resided, but shortly afterward went to Carroll county, this state, where he followed the ])practice of law until 1887 — the year of his arrival in Sarcoxic, JasjHjr county. Here he has since made his home, and as the years have passed he has built up a large and lucrative Ijractice. his success being entirely due to his own efforts and merit. He is one of the directors and a stockholder in the Sarcoxie State Bank, and is one of the largest real-estate owners in the eastern portion of Jasper county, owning twelve farms, all under cultivation.

In 1869 occurred the marriage of Mr. Davis and Mellissa E. Dunfee, and they have two living children. The eldest, Maud L., is a graduate of Lexington College, of Missouri, and is now the wife of '. T. Sabert, of Sarcoxie. 'ihey have two children, — Lucile and Fred. The second child, Eugene A., is at home with his parents. Mrs. Davis is a consistent member of the Methdist Episcopal church, South. Our subject is a free silver Republican, stanch ui his advocacy of the principles of the party, but owing to his extensive practice he has had little time to devote to public matters. He is, however, a local and public-spirited citizen, and on one occasion was chosen as a delegate to the Perdle Springs convention. Socially he is a member of Hale City Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Mr. Davis has won for himself very favorable criticism for the careful and systematic methods which he has followed. He stands high as an orator, and the care and precision with which he prepared his cases have made him one of the most successful lawyers in Jasper county.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.