The Davis Families of Portage County, Ohio

WILLIAM C. DAVIS, proprietor of restaurant and billiard room, Diamond, was born in Paris Township, this county, in August, 1844, son of John D. and Margaret (Jones) Davis, and grandson of William Davis, one of the earliest pioneers of Palmyra Township. His father moved from Paris Township to Palmyra Township in 1847, settling on a farm, where he died in February, 1883, aged seventy-one years. The widow, who subsequently married William Edwards, now resides in Alliance. The subject of this sketch, one of eight children, was brought up on the farm, and served an apprenticeship of three years in Cleveland as a stone-cutter. He worked at his trade until he came to this place in the summer of 1880, and, purchasing a lot, built his present residence and billiard room. This was the second building erected in the place, and Mr. Davis has carried on a large and successful business. He was married.'it Cleveland, Ohio, in May, 1872, to Mary, daughter of Silas Betts, of Canfield. Three children have been born to bless this union: Roscoe, Daisy and Gracie, latter of whom died in 1881, aged twenty-three days. Mr. Davis is a man of influence in the community, highly respected by all who know him.

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

Z. A. DAVIS, retired farmer, P. O. Randolph, was born in New York, February 18, 1819; son of Henry and Lodema D. Davis, natives of New York, and who emigrated to Randolph Township, this county, about 1825. Mrs. Davis died there in 1827, and Mr. Davis then married, for his second wife, Mary Col ton, born in this county; died in 1853. Henry Davis died in Randolph Township in 1851. Our subject, Z. A. Davis, was married, in 1810, to Betsey M. Sears, born in Randolph Township, this county, and after her death Mr. Davis married. May 23, 1852, Caroline D. Anderson, born in New York in 1826. Our subject is the father of six children, four of whom survive: G. AY., Arthur C, Celestia A. and Darwin B. The deceased are Cassius M., killed by the cars in 1875, and Emmett A., who died in 1871. Mr. Davis has been engaged in farming most of his life, but is now a retired capitalist. He and his wife are members of the Disciples Church, and are a highly respected couple. He has been acting Justice of the Peace for the last six years, and is said to control the most property of any man in town.

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

DEXTER D. DAVIS, merchant, Edinburg, was born September 23, 1844, in Edinbarg, Portage Co., Ohio, in the house where he and his family reside at present, son of William D. and Rhoda Davis, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Massachusetts, born April 26, 1801, and May 9, 1803, respectively. They married in Trumbull County, Ohio, where they remained for several years, and then moved to Edinburg Township, this county, where they spent their remaining days. The father died August 17, 1878, and the mother resides with our subject. Dexter D. Davis was married October 1,1873, to Frank E. Turner, born in Columbiana County, Ohio, December 6, 1847, daughter of William and Ann Turner, former of whom was born in Philadelphia February 8, 1811, married the first time to Eliza Runner, and after her death to Ann Tolerton, who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, April 13, 1814. They first located in Columbiana County and then removed to this county, where they remained until his death, August 19, 1879; his widow still survives. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have had three children: W. Raymond, born June '6, 1877; Charles D., born November 29,J88], and Mary, born May 31, 1883. Our subject engaged in farming seven years, then was in miscellaneous businesses in different parts of the United States for several years. Returning to Edinburg he farmer for several years more, and in 1881 went into mercantile business and has so continued ever since. He owns titty acres of land where he and his family reside, and has met with fair success through life.

JULirS H. DAY, farmer, P. O. Edinburgh, was born in Deerfield Township, this county, May 2, 1813, son of Munn and Lucy Day, from_ Granville, Mass., the former born September 9, 1783, the latter March 16, 1/87. They were married January 2, 1804, and settled in Deerfield Township, this county, remaining until their death, the father dying February 26, 1863, the mother Septembei- 12, 1868.

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

EDWARD L. DAVIS, grocer, Garrettsville, was born in Shropshire, England, March 8, 1840, and was brought to America when eleven years of age by his father, Ellis Davis. They first located in Ravenna, and from there went to Hiram Rapids, where they lived a few years. Ellis Davis, who was a miller by trade, ched in Garrettsville September 3, 1865; his wife died in England about 1843. Their children were two in number: Ellis, who is in the insurance business in Cleveland, Ohio, and Edward L. Our subject received a common school education, and early in life began to work at the miller's trade. He was twice married, on first occasion November 3, 1861, to Ann Ferry, who died August 19, 1875, leaving to his care two children: Mary G. and Ellis F. Mr. Davis was again married March 23, 1876, this time to Emma L. Morgan (widow of H. Morgan, of Hartsgrove Township, by whom she had one daughter — Maud, now living with her stepfather). By this union there were two girls: Grace and Daisy. Mrs. Davis died October IS, 1880. Our subject in 1861 took charge of the grist-mill at Garrettsville and five years later purchased an interest in the same, but in 1880, owing to the effects of dust on his lungs, he was forced to retire from milling. He then purchased an interest in a grocery, but two years later again gave up active business. The following year be purchased a stock of groceries, and is still engaged in that business. Mr. Davis has served the people as City Clerk two terms, and on the Board of Education three years. He is an active member of Portage Lodge, I. O. O. F.

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

STEPHEN H. DAVIS, farmer, P. O. Rapids, was born in Washington County, R. I., August 23, 1829, son of Peter and Mary Ann (Hazard) Davis, who moved to New York State in 1840, where they remained until 1852, at which time they came to Geauga County, Ohio, where they now reside. Our subject began at the age of seventeen years as an apprentice to blacksmithing, which trade he continued for twenty-four years, mostly in Janesville, N. Y. In 1866 he immigrated to this county and purchased land in Hiram Township, which he has improved and upon which he still resides. He was married November 5, 1850, to Miss Martha Ashard, born in Madison County, N. Y., September 13, 1830, daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Howd) Ashard, residents of Madison, and where Mr. Ashard died; his widow died in Hiram Township, this county. Our subject is the father of five children, of whom two survive: William J. and Mary H. Mr. Davis has given his attention since coming to this county to agriculture.

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

STEPHEN J. DAVIS (deceased) was born October 10, 1816, in Delaware County, N. Y.; son of Aca and Anna Davis. He was married August 31, 1848, to Philena, daughter of Alonzo and Emily (Mount) Gates, of Harbor Creek Township, Erie Co., Penn., who were the parents of five children, all now living, viz.: Grandison, married to Lucy Dalley, residing in Dakota; Abby, wife of S. Brown, at Chautauqua Lake; Pamelia, wife of William Trimble, formerly of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, now of Erie, Penn.; Philena, the widow of our subject, and George, married to Julia Bostwick, in Springfield, Penn. Mrs. Davis was born in Erie County, Penn., and came here with her husband (on account of his failing health) and here bought a home. To our subject and wife was born one son — Clinton, married to Jennie, daughter of Ebenezer Mcintosh, of Mantua, Ohio. Stephen J. Davis departed this life in August, 1878. His widow makes her home with her son, Clinton, and is carrying on a flourishing millinery and fancy goods store at Mantua Corners, where she is known as an affable, conscientious lady.

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