The Davis Families of Woodbury County, Iowa

SAMUEL TAIT DAVIS.

Among the promoters and upbuilders of Sioux City Samuel Tait Davis was prominent. With keen discrimination he recognized possibilities and utilized opportunities and contributed in large and important measure to the improvement of the city along substantial lines of development. In his business career he worked his way upward from humble surroundings to large worldly success through the opportunity which is the pride of our American life, and his value as a citizen and business man were so widely recognized that his death was regarded as a public calamity in Sioux City. Mr. Davis was a native of Meadville, Pennsylvania, his parents being George and Eliza (Reichard) Davis. Until ten years of age he dwelt with his parents in Meadville and during a portion of that time attended an academy. The family afterward became residents of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Davis of this review continued until twenty-one years of age, assisting in the arduous task of clearing and developing a farm which was covered with a heavy growth of timber when it came into possession of his father. He also attended the pioneer schools which existed in that frontier neighborhood and later he engaged in teaching. Desirous, however, of acquiring more advanced knowledge himself, he entered Allegheny College, at Meadville, leaving that institution while in the sophomore year, in 1852. Subsequently he became principal of Greenville Academy at Greenville, Pennsylvania. Entering upon the study of law under the direction of Hon. David Derrickson, of Meadville, he was admitted to the bar in the autumn of 1885 and then, believing that he might have better opportunities in the west, he came to Sioux City, Iowa, arriving here on the 29th of February, 1856.

Mr. Davis became a partner in the firm of Parker, Gray & Davis, land agents and attorneys, and with the growth of the town their clientage rapidly increased. Mr. Davis continued to make investments in realty and after a number of years he abandoned the practice of laAv in order to give his attention to his extensive property interests. He platted several additions to the city and in many other ways materially advanced its progress and upbuilding. Perhaps the greatest improvement, conceived and carried out through the genius of Mr. Davis was the straightening of the channel of the Floyd river within the city limits. However, it is because of the building of her railroads that Sioux City owes to him a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid. The early development of a community depends upon its railroad facilities which bring it into close touch with other parts of the country, affording a market for its products and bringing to it all necessary supplies. Mr. Davis aided in organizing and incorporating the Sioux City & Pembina Railroad Company. He drew up the articles of incorporation and assisted in organizing the Sioux City & St. Paul Railroad, of which company he was made secretary and director. He likewise became a stockholder in the State Savings Bank of Sioux City, of which he Avas the vice-president, the Sioux City Savings Bank, the National and the Home Savings Banks. He was rated as one of the eight millionaires whose fortunes were made in Sioux City. He displayed excellent business ability and sound judgment, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. He was distinctively a man of affairs and his efforts were directed into channels where keen foresight and enterprise led the way. He accomplished much when his record is viewed from a financial standpoint and he accomplished even more in the development of a character which made him a most respected and honored resident of his community. Everything pertaining to the welfare of the city received his interested attention and ofttimes his active co-operation. In the fall of 1866 he was elected prosecuting attorney and in 1871 he was chosen mayor of Sioux City, and in both positions discharged his duties in a most commendable, prompt and public-spirited manner.

On the 9th of February, 1859, occurred the marriage of Mr. Davis and Miss Jane A. Putnam, of Sioux City, who passed away in 1877. They were the parents of six children, of whom five are now living, namely: Stella, the wife of William Gordon; Mary, the wife of H. M. Bailey; Florence, who married William C. Hutchins; George and Ross.

On the 13th of October, 1881, Mr. Davis was again married, his second union being with Miss R. C. Smith, of Nantucket, Massachusetts. They had one son, John Allen, who is now attending the Boston Polytechnic school, and his mother spends much of her time there while he is in school.

One day, while crossing at Ninth and Jackson streets. Samuel T. Davis was struck by an electric oar and died about an hour later. lie had largely losl Ids hearing and was therefore not aware of the approaching ear. Ins attention being hold l.y a game of ball which was in progress in the neighborhood. Sioux City thereby lest one of its must prominent, influential and honored residents. He was respected and esteemed by all net only because of the splendid success which he had achieved, making him one of the millionaires "1' northwestern Iowa, hut also because of the honorable, straightforward policy he had ever followed. He came to the west with little capital save the qualities with which nature had end..wed him, his strong intellect and marked enterprise, and he directed his efforts along lines that proved of material benefit to his city as well as a source of ratifying income to himself.

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

WILLIAM OZGOOD DAVIS, M. D.

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Dr. Davis was born in Queenstown, Upper

Canada, September 2, L825, his parents being Jacob and Sarah Maria (Eastman) Davis. While there is no record concerning the founding of the Davis family in America, it is definitely known that they were of Welsh descent and that the Doctor's ancestors removed from the United States to Canada at the time of the war for independence, for they did not believe in the severance of the ties which bound the colonies to the mother country. They were known as United Empire Loyalists and were given a large grant of land in Canada because of their allegiance to the British crown. One of the Doctor's ancestors married a French Huguenot, another a Holland lady and a third a native of Wales, and thus the blood of several nationalities is running in the veins of their descendants. In a very old Bible which belonged to Dr. Davis' grandfather is the following, written in ink which is now quite faded:

"William Davis, his book. God give him grace herein to look, And not to look, but to understand. That laying is much better than land. For when land is sold and money spent, Then laying is most excellent. And when my sounding bell shall tole, May the Lord of Heaven receive my sole."

The ideas expressed in the above have been shared by most of the descendants of the writer. The maternal grandfather of Dr. Davis was Rev. Daniel Ward Eastman, who was the first Presbyterian minister allowed to perform the Presbyterian marriage service in Canada, as the service of the Church of England was the one in general use.

When about ten years of age Dr. Davis accompanied his parents on their removal to Lewiston, New York, where he continued his education, attending an academy which was then nourishing there. It is said that "he was Very popular as a young man, lively and jolly, making friends of every one." He acquired his medical education in Geneva, New York, was graduated with the class of 1847, and entered upon the practice of his profession in Niagara

Falls, New York, where be remained contindora, [owa. Mrs. Davis is no* i,, Fork, Ne uously until 1870, when he south! a borne in braska.

the West, locating at Sioux City. He was the Dr. Davis was a communicant of St. Thomas'

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1896. He belonged to the Woodbury County was about him no rani, no double standard in

Medical Society, tin Sioux City Medical Soveracity and his actions always exceeded his city, the Iowa State Medical Society and the professions and he lived an upright, truthful

American Medical Association. lit A marked trail in his character was his

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31,1894. M. Davis served for some time as tSPgrf '" dealing '' w ' ""1 hay >" si matron of the Boys and Girls' Home, of Sioux City, a most worthy institution which has for its object the-hollering of homeless children or those whose parents are unable or unworthy to care for them. Mrs. Davis has rendered a signal service to humanity in this particular.

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

MILES 0. DAVIS.

Miles C. Davis, who has contributed to the pioneer industrial development and is now a factor in financial circles in Sioux City, was born in Pittsford, Vermont, January 19, 1835, his parents being Hiram and Anna (Hubbell) Davis. The family was founded in Vermont at an early epoch in the history of the new world and the Hubbell family was represented in Connecticut at an early day. The father died at the age of forty-two years, leaving three sons, Albert F., Miles C. and Edgar, the second named then but seven years of age. The mother soon afterward married and removed to Rutland, Vermont.

Miles C. Davis started out in life on his own account when but seventeen years of age. His educational privileges were limited, but he possessed strong determination, enterprise and energy. He was first employed on a farm near Rutland, Vermont, for two years, teaching a district school in the winter of 1853, and then learned the miller's trade with John Stevens of Pittsford, with whom he worked for three years. In 1857 he removed to Troy, New York, where he was employed at the milling business for three months, at the end of which time the plant was closed and he was thus forced to seek another position. Accordingly he went to New York, thence to Norfolk, Virginia, afterward to Richmond, Virginia, on to Indiana, and subsequently returned to the Green Mountain state, but all this time found no employment in the line of his trade so he directed his energies into other fields of activity. He worked at the carpenter's trade with his brother, Albert F. Davis, for one season and together they transformed a tract of timber land into lumber and wood. In the meantime they established a brick yard and turned their attention to brick making, and in the winter seasons cut their wood and timber. The business relation between them continued until 1861, when they dissolved partnership. The following year Mr. Davis engaged in bridge building in Vermont and vicinity. In March, 1862, he began working for the government in Virginia. On the 5th of December, 1863, he left that state and arrived at Nashville, Tennessee, December 10, at nine o'clock at night. In two hours time he was on the road with men to build bridges over Rutherford and Carter creeks, on the Decatur & Alabama Railroad. On the 3rd of February, 1864, he was taken ill with typhoid pneumonia in Nashville. While there the construction corps with which he was connected was ordered to Chattanooga, where he joined them April 15th. On the 27th of May the railroad bridge over Lookout creek was broken down and he was ordered to rebuild it the quickest way possible, as it was the only feeder for Sherman's army on the way to the sea. Mr. Davis burned out the wreck and commenced work at once and in one hundred and thirty-one hours the new structure was completed, he working one hundred and eleven hours of that time. In August, 1864, Mr. Davis was ordered to the Memphis & Charleston and the Decatur & Alabama Railroads to build bridges, and while at Elk Creek he sustained a fall of forty-four feet, after which he was cared for in the home of a physician at Westmoreland, returning thence to Chattanooga in September. In October, being in poor health, he took a trip north through Indiana, Illinois and Michigan, returning in November. In April, 1865, he was ordered to London, Tennessee, to take charge of a sawmill cutting lumber for bridges and other work, and continued to operate it until the war ended and afterward had charge of the property until it was sold. He remained at Chattanooga for two years after the close of the war, engaging in grain traffic on the river. There during the big flood of 1866 the Louisville warehouse was destroyed as were the business prospects of Mr. Davis.

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PAST AND PKKSKXT OK \V()():il']!V rol'NTY ing in the month of August. He not only made a prospecting tour in this part of the state, but also visited Mankato, Minnesota, St. Cloud, the Red River country and other portions of Minnesota and in that state he located two thousand acres of land at one dollar and a quarter per acre. In December, 1870, he look up his above in Sioux City, where he engaged in the grain business as one of the pioneer millers. In this line he first represented the firm of II. I Bogue & Company and the following spring became a member of a company that built the first elevator, this being erected in 1870, while the following year a mill was built. At this time the firm of II. I). Bogue & Company was composed of II. D. Bogue, M. C. Davis and Messrs. Sanbom and Follett. In iST.". Messrs. Davis. Sanbom and Follett purchased Mr. Bogue's interest and he continued in business until 1807 with his other partners, when he became sole proprietor. In 1900, however, he leased his mill and has since given his attention to other business affairs, largely dealing in real estate. During the early days of his connection with the grain trade and the milling business scores of ox-teams stood in waiting for a considerable distance near the mill. He has handled grain from Iowa, South "Dakota, Nebraska and other remote points, many of the ox-teams coming from Yankton and Sioux Falls, and other long distances, hauling the grain which was to be converted into flour and then return to the homes upon the frontier. Mr. Davis is now also a factor in financial circles in Sioux City, was one of the organizers and has been the vice president of the Security National Bank and has also been the vice president of the National Bank.

On the 6th of December, 1869, occurred the marriage of Mr. Davis and Miss Hattie A. Penfield, a daughter of Charles and Irene( Dike) Penfield. Her death occurred April 8. 1897, when she was fifty-one years of age. The only child of this marriage is Charles P. Davis, of Sioux City. Mr. Davis of this review is a member of the Congregational church at been deeply interested in all lines of progress future had in store for this great and growing section of the country, wisely allied his interests with the business affairs in Sioux City and while promoting the welfare and progress here he has at the same time profited by the development of this section of the country and has found in its business advantages the opportunities which he sought and which have enabled him to become one of the substantial men of Woodbury county. Throughout all his extensive and important business dealings he has maintained an unassailable reputation and well deserves mention among the representative and honored citizens of northwestern Iowa.

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

MADISON BARTLETT DAVIS.

Madison Bartlett Davis, for thirty years a member of the Sioux City bar, his practice confined in later years to the federal courts, is a native of New Hampshire, his birth having occurred in Canaan, on the 12th of November, 1838. His parents were Enoch and Susan (Tucker) Davis and the father followed the occupation of farming, which had been the pursuit of his ancestors through several generations.

Madison B. Davis supplemented his early educational privileges by pursuing a course in the higher English branches in Salisbury, New Hampshire, in 1856. He had been reared to the occupation of farming, early became an able assistant in the work of the farm and continued to aid in the cultivation of the fields until 1861. On the 26th of August of that year, in response to his country's call for aid, he joined the First New England Cavalry and was mustered into the UJnited States service on the 17th of December, following. The name of the regiment was afterward changed to the First Regiment, Rhode Island Cavalry, March 31, 1862, and became the First New Hampshire Cavalry January 5, 1864. On the 4th of July, of that year, Mr. Davis re-enlisted, his first term of service having expired. He was taken prisoner June 16, 1863, and paroled on the lath of July following, and exchanged July 14, 1863. He was again taken prisoner November 12,

1864, paroled January 5, 1865, and exchanged March 13, 1865. He took part in a number of the most important and hotly contested engagements of the war and was honorably discharged from the service May 16, 1865, as orderly sergeant.

After his return from the war Mr. Davis removed with his family from Salisbury, New Hampshire, to Denmark, Iowa, where he worked on a farm for two years. On the expiration of that period he began reading law in the office of Hon. J. M. Casey, of Fort Madison, Iowa, in 1868, and thus pursued his studies for three years, after which he was admitted to the bar in Lee county, Iowa, in December, 1871. He was admitted to the supreme court of the state, Mai'ch 18, 1875, and to the supreme court of the United States, April 10, 1894. He removed to Sioux City, June 14, 1874, and has since been a representative of the legal fraternity, occupying a prominent position among those whose talents have added to the fame of the legal history of northwestern Iowa. In recent years he has confined his attention to practice in the federal courts and has a distinctively representative clientage. The important character of his professional duties has called forth his latent talents and developed his powers and his strong intellectual force and keen analytical powers have made him one of the able practitioners at the federal bar in Iowa.

Mr. Davis was married September 6, 1857, tk> Miss Rhoda Pingree Dunlap, of Danhury, New Hampshire. She was a daughter of David 0. Dunlap, who died when she was nine months old, a granddaughter of Hon. Stephen Pingree, of Salisbury, New Hampshire, a niece of Colonel S. E. Pingree, of Hartford, Vermont, former governor of that state, and a relative of the Pingree family, prominent in both Vermont and Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Davis had one daughter and two sons: Nellie Roxanna, who was born August 17, 1858, and died December 25, 1891; "William Madison, who

&-tk* was born November 26, 1860, and died Augusl 16, 1864; and William Edgar, who was born Augusl 27, L867. He was married to Hellen Egan, June 9, 1891. Their children are Willie Pingree, bora August 7, 1892, and Marion Evelyn, born December 22, 1895.

Mr. Davis became a member of the Odd Fellows society December 28, 1868, and has held several important official positions in the subordinate lodge and the grand lodge, being a representative to the latter. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, becoming a charter member of General Hancock Post, Xo. 22, and was department commander of Iowa in 1000. He belongs to no religions organization but attends the Baptist church. He is one to whom his fellow men instietively pay deference, because lie has gained social and professional prominence without ostentation or self-laudation, and because his course has ever been in harmony with high business ideals and lias been a factor in promoting more advanced ethical relations in various departments of activity which constitute the life of the vast majority.

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