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.
Born 1844, Paris Township
From History of Portage County, Ohio (1885)
WILLIAM C. DAVIS, proprietor of restaurant and billiard room, Diamond, was born in Paris Township, this county, in August, 1844, son of John D. and Margaret (Jones) Davis, and grandson of William Davis, one of the earliest pioneers of Palmyra Township. His father moved from Paris Township to Palmyra Township in 1847, settling on a farm, where he died in February, 1883, aged seventy-one years. The widow, who subsequently married William Edwards, now resides in Alliance. The subject of this sketch, one of eight children, was brought up on the farm, and served an apprenticeship of three years in Cleveland as a stone-cutter. He worked at his trade until he came to this place in the summer of 1880, and, purchasing a lot, built his present residence and billiard room. This was the second building erected in the place, and Mr. Davis has carried on a large and successful business. He was married.'it Cleveland, Ohio, in May, 1872, to Mary, daughter of Silas Betts, of Canfield. Three children have been born to bless this union: Roscoe, Daisy and Gracie, latter of whom died in 1881, aged twenty-three days. Mr. Davis is a man of influence in the community, highly respected by all who know him.
As printed in History of Portage County, Ohio (1885). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1885. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.