Henry Lewis Davis

As printed in 1914

HENRY LEWIS DAVIS.

Henry Lewis Davis, a respected citizen and representative agriculturist of Boone county, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, on the 9th of October, 1850, a son of Lewis and Mary Ann (Ames) Davis, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. They took up their above in Muscatine county, Iowa, on the 6th of October, 1854, and in June, 1855, came to Boone county, the father entering three hundred and twenty acres of land in Colfax township. Later disposing of this property, he bought a tract of eighty acres in Worth township and subsequently extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase until it embraced more than three hundred acres. He continued to reside thereon throughout the remainder of his life, passing away on the 25th of May, 1892, while his wife was called to her final rest on the. 26th of February, 1900. Mr. Davis held the office of county coroner for two terms and also served in minor township positions, making a creditable and commendable record as a public official. The period of his residence in this county covered thirty-seven years, and he gained an extensive and favorable acquaintance within its borders. To him and his wife were born thirteen children, as follows: Margaret Ann. who is deceased; James A., who was killed at the battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, in 1864; Sarah Ellen, deceased; Cyrus M., an old soldier who makes his home in Luther, Iowa; Jesse, living in Boone; Elizabeth J., who is the wife of Charles Fleming of Arkansas; mary Maria, who is the widow of John Nutt and resides in Boone; Henry Lewis, of this review; Catherine A., the wife of S. T. Steelsmith, of Troy, Idaho; George A., of Worth township; Keziah M., who is the widow of Nimrod Rule and lives in Boone; Abraham L., of Fort Dodge; and Abbie Amanda, who is the wife of Albert Nutt, of Boone.

Henry Lewis Davis, who was a little lad of five years when his parents settled in this county, remained on the home farm until twenty-five years of age and then made his way to California, following farming in San Luis Obispo. At the end of a year he returned to Boone county and purchased a tract of ninety-nine acres adjoining the old homestead. He eventually disposed of the property which he had acquired and at the present time owns one hundred and thirty-nine acres comprising a part of the home place. During the last few years he has devoted his time and energies to both farming and stock-raising.

making a specialty of shorthorn cattle. His undertakings as an agriculturist have been attended with gratifying and well deserved measure of success, and he enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the prosperous and esteemed citizens of his community.

On the 23d of August, 1876, Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Arabell C. Cross, a native of Boone county and a daughter of Isaac and Maria (Keigley) Cross, both of whom were born in Greene county, Pennsylvania. They came to this county about 1855, and here the father turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He passed away in May, 1907, while the mother was called to her final rest in April, 1900. They had two children: Mrs. Henry L. Davis; and Sarah E., who is the wife of Robert McMillen, of Indianola, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Davis have been born four children, as follows: Alta E., who is the wife of E. C. Payne, of Worth township; Clara Belle, who is the widow of Saul Dyer and resides in Boone; James Leroy, of Beaver township, Boone county; and a daughter who died in infancy.

Mr. Davis gives his political allegiance to the republican party, has served in the capacity of supervisor for two terms and has also acted as township assessor and trustee, ever discharging his public duties in a most satisfactory manner. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, which receives his support. As a citizen he is public-spirited and whatever tends to promote the best interests of the community receives his indorsement and hearty cooperation. He has spent most of his life in this county and is therefore widely and favorably known, commanding the high regard of all with whom he has been associated.

As printed in History of Boone County, Iowa (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.