The Davis Families of Knox County, Ohio

JAMES W. DAVIS.

This name is one known throughout Knox county, for here Mr. Davis has passed his whole life and here his parents lived for many decades. He was born in Monroe township, June 9, 1849, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Downs) Davis. The father was born near Hagerstown, M'maryland, on the 4th of April, 1800, and died on the 12th of September, 1857. He was a son of Hairy and Christina (Swope) Davis. The former was born in Germany, and there learned the tailor's trade, but when a young man he left the home and friends of his youth and came to the United States, locating in Maryland. In later life he engaged in the milling business, owning flour mills on the Potomac river. In 1808 he made his way to the Buckeye state, locating in Knox county, and a short time afterward he was here joined by his wife and family, his son Jacob being then a lad of eight years, and they made the journey on horseback. After his arrival in Knox county Henr)- Davis opened a flour mill in Mount Vernon, and as the years passed by he became known as one of the prominent and leading business men of the county.

Jacob Davis, the father of our subject, became his father's assistant after attaining to mature years, and from that time until his twenty-seventh year he had almost entire charge of his father's extensive business interests. In 1827, after his marriage, he removed to Monroe township, where he was engaged in the milling business on his own account. Success abundantly rewarded his well-directed efforts and he soon took rank among the leading business men of his locality. He became the owner of three flouring-mills, a carding-mill, a woolen-factory, where he was extensively engaged in the manufacture of cloth, and also became the owner of about one thousand acres of land, but the latter was taken from him through a partner's loss and by going security for others. Although not a member of any religious denomination, he was a liberal supporter of all churches, the cause of Christianity ever finding in him a firm friend. His political support was given to the Democracy, and for many years he held township offices. Mr. Davis was married in IMount Vernon, Miss Elizabeth Downs becoming his wife. She was born in Clinton township, Knox county, a daughter of George and Rebecca (Thrift) Downs, both natives of the Old Dominion. After coming to the Buckeye state the father acquired considerable land in Clinton township, which is now known as the Sperry farm, and also became the owner of six hundred and forty acres in Monroe township. Mrs.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

James W. Davis acquired his early education in the common schools of his locality, and afterward became a student in the Ohio Wesleyan University, entering that institution with the intention of preparing himself for a profession, but after two terms there spent he was called home on account of his brother's sickness. In accordance with the wish of his mother, he then took up the quiet duties of the farm, which has ever since claimed his time and attention. After his marriage he located on a tract of one hundred and fifty acres of his present homestead, a part of which was killed to him by his mother, and the remainder he secured by purchasing the interest of the remaining heirs. In 1882 he also purchased the old home farm of one hundred and thirteen acres, and in addition he owns a tract of seventy-five acres in the northeast corner of Monroe township, all of which is under his immediate supervision. His home farm is one of the best improved in the township, and the many valuable improvements which now adorn the place stand as monuments to his thrift and ability. He is very enterprising and progressive in his methods, and his well-directed efforts and unfaltering perseverance have succeeded in winning for him a handsome competence. On the lath of December, 1876, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Davis and Miss Jennie Daymude, a native of Monroe township and a daughter of William Daymude, who was called to his final rest in 1 86 1. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Davis has been brightened and blessed by the presence of five children, four of whom still survive,— Elmer, a prominent farmer of Mbnroe township; and Herman, Belle and William, at home. Mr. Davis cases his ballot in favor of the men and measures of the Democratic party, and for over twenty years he has faithfully served his township as clerk. In his social relations he is a m'cember of Mount Zion Lodge, No. 9, F. & A. M., of Mmmt Vernon; Clinton Chapter, No. 26, and Clinton. Commandery No. 5, also of Mount Vernon; and of the Grange, No. 874, P. of H.

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

JOSEPH S. DAVIS.

By the death of this honorable and upright citizen the community sustained an irreparable loss and was deprived of the presence of one whom it had come to look-upon as a benefactor and friend. Death often removes from our midst those whom we can ill afford to spare, whose lives have been all that is exemplary of the true and thereby really great citizen. Such a one was Mr. Davis, whose whole career, business, political and social, served as a model to the young and an inspiration to the aged. He honored the city which honored him with many positions of public trust. His labors proved of great benefit to the public and by his usefulness he created a memory whose perpetuation does not depend upon brick and stone, but upon the spontaneous and freewill offering of a great and enlightened people.

Mr. Davis was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, November 21, 1812, a son of Henry and Avis Davis. His father was a native of Cornish, New Hampshire, and was married in Wilkesbarre, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, to Avis Townsend, who was born in that place. Subsequently they removed to Ohio, locating in Ross county in 1808, while in 181 1 they went to Pickaway county and in 18 15 took up their above in HillsboTO, Highland county, where the parents of our subject spent their remaining days. The father was a merchant of Chillicothe, and through the conduct of his commercial pursuits provided for his family. He had four sons: Dr. Edwin Davis, of New York city, now deceased; Rev. Werter Rennick Davis, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, who spent most of his life in Baldwin City, Kansas, where he was president of the Baldwin University; Dr. William Davis, of Peru, Ohio; and the subject of this review, who was the second in order of birth. All were students in Gambier College, in Knox county, were Episcopalians, with the exception of one, in religious faith and all have now passed away.

Joseph Slocumi Davis, whose name introduces this review, spent his youth in his parents' home and in early life assisted his father in the store. His preliminary education, acquired in the common schools, was supplemented by a preparatory course in Gambier, Ohio, where he began his studies in 1829. He afterward entered Kenyon College, in which he was graduated in the class of 1835, and then, having determined to make the practice of law his life work, he began reading in the law office of Benjamin S. Brown, of Mount Vernon. In 1836-37 he was a student in the Cincinnati Law School and in the latter year was admitted to the bar. He began practice in connection with Hon. Columbus Delano, but owing to a severe illness was obliged to retire after some years O'f practice. An analytical mind, strong reasoning powers and keen intellectuality made him a powerful lawyer at the Knox county bar. He became identified with journalistic interests in 1848, being the first editor of the Line Whig, which paper advocated the election of General Zachary Taylor as president. In 1850 he was appointed deputy United States marshal and took the census of Knox county, while in 1849, 1850, 1851, 1866, 1868, 1870 and 1871 he was elected mayor of Mount Vernon. It is certainly an indication of his ability and the confidence reposed in him that he was several times recalled to the office after retirement therefrom. Hisi administration was ever practical and progressive. He supported all measures which he believed would prove of public benefit which were not of an extravagant nature and was always found on the side of reform and improvement. His labors proved very helpful and acceptable to the city and well did he deserve the honor of being seven times called tobe the chief executive of his city. He was twice elected probate judge of Knox county, his last term expiring in 1861. In 1864 he was appointed by President Lincoln a paymaster in the army and for a quarter of a century he was a member of the school board of Mount Vernon, acting as its president for nine years. The cause of education found in him a warm friend and he did all in his power to raise the standard of intellectual attainment in the city. In 1869 the directors of the Cleveland, Mount Vernon & Delaware Railroad Company elected him secretary and he held that position for quite a number of years.

Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Moore, of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Dr. Robert Moore, who came to Ohio at an early day, but afterward returned to Connellsville, following the failure of the Owlcreek Bank. There he soon died. His family later again came to Ohio and here his daughter became the wife of Joseph S. Davis. By the marriage were born four children: Henry, who served in the Union army during the Civil war as captain of Company H, Twentieth Ohio Regiment, afterward located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was a very prominent Mason and died January 1, 1901, at the age of sixty-four years. Mary Davis died in 1886. RoUin H. Davis, the second son, learned the jewelry business with William

Brown of Mount Vernon and afterward located in Warren, Pennsylvania, where he conducted a jewelry store until his death. The daughter, Anna Davis, is now the widow of John W. Hall, late of Columbus, Ohio, in which city he owned and edited the Industrial Union. They had two sons, Rollin Davis and Joseph John, who are now in business in Mount Vernon. Their mother, Mrs. John W. Hall, is now living in this city in her father's old homestead.

The death of Joseph H. Davis occurred in Mount Vernon in December, 1884, when he was seventy-two years of age and his wife passed away May 3, 1879. They ranked among the most prominent citizens of Mount Vernon. Mr. Davis was a man of firm convictions and was prompt and conscientious in the discharge of public and private trusts. His was a sturdy American character and a stalwart patriotism and he had the strongest attachment for our free institutions and was ever willing to make any personal sacrifice for their preservation. He was of stern integrity and honesty of purpose and despised all unworthy or questionable means to secure success in any undertaking or for any purpose or to promote his own advancement in any direction, whether political or otherwise. Not even the tongue of calumny ever uttered a word to the contrary nor did the malevolence of detraction dare to assail his good name.

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

Mrs. Belle C. Johnson was born on the farm adjoining the one on which she now resides, and is a daughter of George W. and Margaret (Morton) Davis. She was one of four children, three of whom still survive. Her sister Emma became the wife of Earl Squires, of Granville, Knox county, and her brother, John, is a resident of Mount Vernon, Illinois. The father, George W. Davis, who was born on the farming Clinton township on which Mr. John S. Abbott now resides, January 9, 1821, was a son of Alexander and Isabelle (Beam) Davis. The Davis family is of German descent, and George Davis, the father of Alexander, came to this state from Culpepper Court House, Virginia, about the year 1800 and settled on the land now owned by M. M. Kelly, which place at the time of the former's death descended to his son Alexander. Alexander Davis was a soldier in the war of 18 12, receiving for services rendered land warrants, which he afterward located in Iowa, taking up military lands in that state.

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

ALVA B. DAVIS.

Inheriting the thrifty and frugal habits of a sturdy pioneer ancestry, it is little wonder that Alva B. Davis, well known cement builder and contractor of Danville, Knox county, has succeeded at his chosen life work. The people of the locality of which this volume treats have known him as a boy and man, and as his dealings with his fellow men have always been honorable they repose in him the most implicit confidence.

Mr. Davis was born on August 21, 1863, on a farm in Monroe township, Knox county, Ohio, and here he has been content to spend his life, knowing, that no better opportunities were to be found in any other country. He is the son of Henry and Nancy (Snedeker) Davis, both parents born, reared and educated in Monroe township, this county, and here they married and spent most of their lives. The father was a miller by trade, and is said to have been one of the best in this locality, so that for many years his services were in great demand. However, the latter part of his life was given over principally to agricultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Davis both died in early life, leaving five children, namely: Alva B., of this sketch; John B. lives in Licking county, Ohio; Jay is deceased; Earl lives in Mt. Vernon; Alice, deceased.

Alva B. Davis was reared on the farm where he began working when but a child, and during the winter months he attended the district schools, receiving such education as he could; however, being thrown upon his own resources early in life, he did not receive the advantage that one might desire in starting out in life, but he received valuable lessons from the “hard knocks" of youth, which have contributed in no small degree to his success later in life. When eighteen years of age he began the trade of stone mason, which he followed until 1905, becoming a very skilled workman. In that year he began the business of cement worker, building blocks and all kinds of cement construction, as well as all kinds of concrete construction. He has won the reputation of being a reliable contractor in every respect, and he is kept constantly busy turning out some important jobs continuously during the building season, many of the best buildings of this class in the county today being monuments to his skill as a builder. He also does a great deal of country bridge and culvert work.

Mr. Davis was married in June, 1899, to Mrs. Caroline Payne, daughter of Archibald and Mary (Devore) Parrish.

Mr. Davis lives in Howard township, one mile west of Danville, where he has a comfortable and attractive home. Politically, he is a Democrat, and he has always been active and interested in public affairs, but he has never been an aspirant to public offices. He is well informed on public matters, being a widely read man, and he is highly regarded both as citizen and business man.

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