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 The history of Jasper county, Missouri : including a condensed history of the state, a complete history of Carthage and Joplin, other towns and townships : together with numerous portraits of prominen (1883)
E. N. DAVIS was born in Howard county, Ind., and is the son of Calvin Davis, who was born in North Carolina and went to Howard county when a small boy. Young Davis was raised on a farm, has a common school education, and a great deal of practical knowledge. In 1872 he went to work in a warehouse and improved his spare time by learning telegraphing, and in two years after going into the warehouse took charge of the telegraph office. Had that one year, and at that time was offered the station, which he refused for a position as conductor of a freight train. He ran that for a short time and then went south and took charge of a station at Saint Clair, Mo. In 1879 went to Pittsburg, Kan,, and then went into the Missouri Pacific and was extra man for some time, but finally located at Jasper and is now agent at that place. "Was married Feb. 20, 1877, to Lizzie James and they have one child.
As printed in The history of Jasper county, Missouri : including a condensed history of the state, a complete history of Carthage and Joplin, other towns and townships : together with numerous portraits of prominent (1883). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1883. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.