In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Past and present of Knox County, Ohio (1912)
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 Past and present of Knox County, Ohio (1912). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1912. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.