The Davis Families of Nodaway County, Missouri

W. H. DAVIS, farmer and stock dealer, is among the most prominent of the early settlers of this vicinity. He is a native of Ross County, Ohio, and was born May 6, 1841. He was educated in the common schools of that county, and in the Ohio Wesleyan University, of Delaware County. His occupation during life has been that of an agriculturist and stock dealer. He resided in Ross County till the year 1860, when, with his father, he moved to his present location, where he has since resided. The town of Burlington Junction was laid out on the farm then owned by himself and C. D. Caldwell, they, at that time, being partners. Mr. Davis' landed estate in this vicinity, at the present time, consists of 720 acres, besides town property. He has disposed of considerable real estate since the founding of this place. He is a Mason, and a member of Burlington Junction Lodge, U. D. September 14, 1862, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Jones, of Ross County, Ohio, who was born February 14, 1842. By this union there have been five children, only two of whom are now living, Effie J. and Elizabeth. Colonel John H. Davis, the father of W. H. Davis, was born in Pike County. Ohio, in the year 1817. He was raised in Ross County, that state,, and there remained till 1860, being engaged in farming. He was a member of the Ohio Legislature for two years, having been elected about 1854. Upon coming to this county, he located land now in the corporation of Burlington Junction, and was the founder of the Ohio Settlement, which figures conspicuously in this vicinity, a settlement consisting in all of over sixty families. Mr. D. now resides in Butler County, Kansas, to which locality he moved two years ago. He is there engaged in the stock business. For forty years he has been a local minister in the M. E. Church. During the late war he acted as colonel in the state militia,, and was also a member of the great convention on the constitution. He has been twice married. First, in 1836, to Miss Elizabeth Strong, who was born in Jackson County, Ohio, in 1818, and died in 1848. They had four children: Martha J., W. H., J. J. and James. His second marriage occurred in the year 1848, to Miss Rachel Corken, of Ross County, Ohio. By this union they have had five children: Thomas B., Rebecca, Samuel, Sarah and Charles; they lost one.

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

JARED J. DAVIS, stock dealer, section 10, post office Burlington Junction. The subject of this sketch was born in Ross County, Ohio, October 28, 1843, and was there reared and educated. During the fall of 1860 he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, with his father, Col. J. H. Davis. He has made farming and dealing in stock his occupation during life, and now owns a farm containing 140 acres, well improved and conveniently located,, adjoining the town of Burlington Junction. Besides this he also has twenty acres of timber land. Mr. Davis is a member of Burlington Junction Lodge, No. 442, A. F. and A. M. He was married December 5, 1869, to Miss Mary A. Jones, a daughter of Caleb and Eliza (Wakeman) Jones. Mrs. Davis was born in Ross County, Ohio, July 9, 1844. Her father was a native of Ohio, and her mother of New York. The latter now resides with the subject of this sketch.

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

GILES ROLAND DAVIS.

The reputation of being one of the squares men living is borne by Giles Roland Davis, well known agriculturist of Monroe township, Nodaway county, Missouri. Handicapped by physical conditions that would have overcome many another man, he has bravely fought against all odds until today he has not only acquired property 'and a comfortable position in life, hut, what is far better, the respect and regard of all. who know him.

Giles R. Davis is the third son of John Henry and Ellen M. (Smith) Davis and his birth occurred in the town of Deerfield, Oneida county. New York, September [3, 1853. His father was born at the old turnpike in the town of Deerfield, New York, in 1820. He was the oldest son of Roland and Margaret (Roberts) Davis, who came to America from Wales in 1817 and located in Deerfield, New York. His grandfather, Jonathan Davis, was proprietor of a large grist-mill in Wales. In 1849, Mr. Davis united in marriage with Ellen M. Smith, of Deerfield, in which place he died September 10, 1883. His wife, Ellen M. Smith, was born in Deerfield. September 28, 1830.

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

F. M. DAVIS, physician, Quitman, a native of Butler County, Ohio, was born March 9, 1 83 1, and is a son of Vincent and Anna A. (Smalley) Davis. The former was a native of Elizabethtown, New Jersey, and was born February 16, 1782. With his parents he moved to Butler County, Ohio, in 1804, his father being the owner of the first grist mill in that locality. Vincent's parents returned to New Jersey in 1806. He married Miss Anna

Smalley in 1808, she having been born in New Jersey but raised in Pennsylvania. With her parents she moved to Butler County, Ohio, in 1805. Mr. and Mrs. D. settled in Butler County, Ohio, he dying March 30, 1872, and his wife March 16, 1877. Francis M. Davis spent his boyhood days and received an excellent education in his native county. He commenced the study of medicine when at the age of eighteen years, in the office of Dr. Warhor, remaining for two years, and during the winter of 1855-6 he attended lectures at the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio. In the spring of 1856 he went to Lee County, Iowa, and speculated in stock and land till October 4, 1861, when he enlisted in Company G, Fourth Regiment Iowa Cavalry. He was promoted to second lieutenant September 4, 1862, and to captain February 25, 1863. He participated in the battle of Milligan's Bend, and was with General Curtis through Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. He resigned June 26, 1863, on account of disability then returned to Iowa and visited Salt Lake City in the summer of 1865. During that fall he went to Cincinnati and again attended lectures. He graduated March 3, 1876, with the highest honors of the college, and located at Wheeling, Indiana, where he practiced till the fall of 1881. He then went to Woodsdale, Ohio, and in November, 1881, came to Quitman, Nodaway County, Missouri. Dr. Davis was married February 19, 185 1, to Miss Elizabeth Taylor, a native of Butler County, Ohio. She was born August 1, 1830, and is a daughter of Francis and Matilda (Swearinger) Taylor. She died February 20, 1880, leaving three children: Edward W., Anna M., and Ben S. One son, John, is deceased. The Doctor's second marriage occurred July 12, [880, to Miss Mary E. Spencer, a native of Howard County, Indiana, who was born October 23, 1850. Her parents were Elijah and Mary (Gibson) Davis, both of Ohio. They were married in January, 1849, ad then settled in Howard County, Indiana, and moved to Delaware County, Indiana, in 1865. Mrs. Davis is a member of the M. E. Church.

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

GEORGE D. DAVIS, farmer, section 17, was born in Platte County, Missouri, August 6, 1 841, and moved with his father, William Davis, to this township in 1841, settling on the farm now owned by Alfred Jones. He was among the earliest settlers of the county. Mr. Davis moved to Iowa in 185 1, and George D. grew up and received his schooling in that state. He went to Nebraska, and, after remaining for a while, he enlisted, in 1862, in the Second Nebraska Cavalry, for the defense against the Indians. He remained one year, and then received his discharge. In December, 1864, he came to Mary vi lie, and engaged in the United States mail service, and also bought a livery stable, and continued in the mail service until the railroad was built, and in the livery business until 1873, when he moved down to his farm, consisting of 180 acres. He has a beautiful place, and everything around shows hard work, good taste and prosperity. This has all been accomplished in eight years from raw prairie. Mr. D. married, in 1869, Miss Henrietta Prather, daughter of Isaac M. Prather, one of the pioneers of this township. They have three children living: Ruth, Lucy and George Paul. A twin brother of Ruth died when five years old.

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

EUGENE H. DAVIS.

A man who has always been interested in every enterprise for the general welfare of the community and who liberally supports every movement calculated to benefit his fellow-men both materially and along the line of moral reform is Eugene H. Davis, the well known and efficient superintendent of the well-managed county home of Nodaway county, Missouri. Courteous and kind to all, broad-minded in his views of men and affairs, and firm in his convictions, it is a compliment worthily bestowed to speak of him as one of the worthiest young men of this locality, and, judging from his past honorable record and his habits of industry and frugality, the future must necessarily have much of good in store for him.

Mr. Davis was born at Grant City, Missouri, December 16, 1873. He is the son of John A. and Anna E. (Hilsabeck) Davis, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Illinois. They came to Worth county, Missouri, when they were young, accompanying their parents, there met and married and settled in Grant City. From there they moved to St. Joseph, in 1877, and from there they moved to Maryville, where they lived about five years, then moved to Bedison, this county. They lived there five years, then moved to Parnell, Nodaway county, where they resided for a period of ten years. They afterwards lived in different places, and since 1902 they have made their home with their son, Eugene H., of this review.

Eugene H. Davis made his home with his parents until he was about twenty-six years of age. He received a common school education, and followed different occupations with varying success. For nine years he engaged in farming near Burlington Junction and he managed the place in a manner that indicated his mastery of the art of husbandry.

When the local authorities were casting about for a suitable man to take charge of the county home, their attention was directed to Mr. Davis as being the most suitable for this important and responsible position, owing to his ability as an organizer, his success as a farmer and his exemplary bab its, and in February, 1910, he was chosen for this place, and on March 1, 1910, he assumed control of the same and at once inaugurated a splendid system of management, thus far demonstrating the wisdom of his selection for the place. The county house was built in 1908. It is a commodious, modern, well arranged and substantial building, built of brick and will accommodate fifty or sixty people. It is surrounded by beautiful grounds and good land.

Mr. Davis was married in Platte county, Missouri, on July 26, 1900, to Fillian Webb, who was born in that county, August 31, 1876, and the daughter of David and Mary (Fankford) Webb, a well established family there. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are the parents of three children, Estol E., Bettie L., Orville O. The first named died when two years two months and fifteen days old.

Mr. Davis is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 405, at Burlington Junction; also the Modern Woodmen of America, Camp No. 2075. Mrs. Davis is a member of the Christian church.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

J. DAVIS, farmer and stock raiser, section 25, post office- Gaynor City. Although not an old settler of this county, is nevertheless one of our representative farmers. He is a native of Pike County, Ohio, and was born in 181 1. He was there raised to manhood audi remained in that vicinity till 1856, when he emigrated to Iowa, and settled in Decatur County. After a long residence there he removed tothis state and county, locating where he now resides. He has 160 acres of land that will compare favorably with any in the county, all of which is under cultivation. Mr. Davis lias been twice married; first, to- Miss Elizabeth Holton. They had by this union eight children: Jacob,. Joshua, John, Mary A., Rachel, Isaac, Julia, and Jane. Mrs. Davis' death occurred in 1867. After a lapse of two years, or in 1869, Mr. D. married Miss J. Jewett. They have four children: Branson, Miranda, Adel, Alice.

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

JAMES L. DAVIS, farmer, section 12, post office Elmo, was born in Platte County, Missouri, March 18, 1837, and when three years of age his parents moved to Andrew County, where he was reared and educated. He has always made farming his occupation during life. In 186:, he moved to Nodaway County, where he has since resided, except from 1864 till 1866, during which time he resided in Nebraska, and from that time till 1871, he was a resident of Andrew County. He now owns ninety-five acres of land. In the fall of 1861, Mr. D. enlisted in the Confederate service, in which he remained till after the battle of Springfield, Missouri. During that time he acted as sergeant. He is at present a member of College Springs Lodge, No. 228, A. F. and A. M. Mr. Davis was married February 22, 1859, to Miss Mary Messick. She was born in Platte County Missouri, July 14, 1843. They have had six children, four of whom. are now living: Elizabeth F., born November 22, 1861; Mary A., born May 26, 1863; John W., born August 22, 1866, and Elias E., born November 6, 1868.

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

HENRY DAVIS, proprietor of the Maryville Woolen Mills, is a native of Trowbridge, England, and was born in 1843..His father was a woolen manufacturer, and the son early in life commenced the same occupation, in which he became very proficient. In 1863 he immigrated to the United States, and settled in Malvern, Massachusetts, near the manufacturing town of Woonsocket, working in the leading factories of the place. He then spent two and a-half years in the employ of the Clinton Woolen Mills, Michigan, and returned to the East, where he remained two years, and upon coming West he entered the employ of the Hanover Woolen Mills, in Illinois; and it is owing to his experience and skill that this manufactory was raised from a non-paying to a profitable investment, and the product the best reputation in the West. After spending four years in Hanover, he came to Maryville and became proprietor of the above named mills, and in which he is fast building up a reputation for the quality of his work that will give him a prominent place among the enterprising business men of the town. Mr. Davis was married in 1874, to Miss Mary A. Rhodes, daughter of Samuel Rhodes, of Yorkshire, England. They have four children: Edwin F., Florence E., Jesse and Alfred T.

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