A. K. Davis

As printed in 1901

A. K. DAVIS.

This gentleman, who is now spending the closing years of a long and useful life free from business cares at his pleasant home in Marion, was for over thirty years prominently identified with railroad contracting, and was also engaged in mercantile ])pursuits in Marion for a time, but is now living retired. He was born in York county, Maine, on the 30th of July, 1829, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Durgin) Davis, both natives of Newfield, that state. Throughout life the father followed the occupation of farming and continued tkj nialce his home in the old Pine Tree state until called to his final rest in August, 1852, at the age of fifty-two years and five months. He was widely and favorably known and was a worthy representative of an old [Maine family. His father, Daniel Davis, served as a private in the Revolutionary war for several years. The mother of our suljject died at thie home of her son Thomas M. in Missouri, in 1 87 1, at the age of sixty-five years. Of the ten children of the family our subject is second in order of birth. The others who are still living are Thomas M., of Missouri; and Osborn. of the state of Washington.

During his early life A. K. Davis pur-,sued his studies in the district schools of Maine, and aided in the work of the farm until after reaching manhood. Coming west in 1856, he located on a farm m Clinton county, Iowa, which he operated for several years. At the same time he also engaged in railroad construction in Illinois, and later rented his farm and gave his entire time and attention to the latter business. He helped build the Chicago & Northwestern road; the Sioux City road in 1867; and in 1870 built the first thirty miles of the Sabula. Ackley & Dakota Railroad, now a part of the St. Paul system. Later in 1870 he built the first ten miles of the Iowa Midland, from Clinton to Lyons; and a part of the road from Ottowa to Hedrick in 1882, employing many operatives. In 1887 he built a part of the I ranch of the B. & M. road in Cheyenne and Rawlins counties, Kansas, but since then has largely lived retired. In 1875 he removed to Marion and has since made this place his home. He first engaged in the hardware business, in which he continued for four years, when he sold mit, and has practically since lived retired.

Mr. Davis was married, in 1857, the lady of his choice being Miss Octavia Challies, also a native of York county, Maine, and a daughter of Sumner and Susan Challies, life-long residents of that state. The father, who was a farmer and miller by occupation, died in 1871, aged sixty-four years, and the mother passed away in 1895. aged ninety-seven. They had seven children, of whom only two nnw survive, these being Mrs. Davis, and Albion, a resident of Maine. yh. and Mrs. Davis have two children: Arathusa S., at home; and Tuillar J., a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume. He married Xellie Elliott, of [Mariona, and they have four children, Laverna, Esther, Priscilla and T. J. Elliott.

Mr. Davis is a prominent Mason, having taken the thirty-second degree, and his wife holds membership in the Congregational church. His active business life shows him to have been a man of enterprise and public spirit, and as a pioneer railroad builder he materially aided in opening up a large amount of territory for civilization. After a well-spent and useful life he can well afford to lay aside all business cares and enjoy the fruits of former toil, surrounded by a loving family and a large circle of friends and acquaintances who appreciate his sterling worth.

As printed in Biographical records of Linn County, Iowa .. (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.