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 1839
From The history of Buchanan County, Missouri (1881)
WILLIAM W. DAVIS, editor of the Catholic Tribune, was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1839, and moved with his parents to Chillicothe, Ohio. He studied at the Jesuit College of St. Joseph, at Bardstown, seven years, and St. Xavier's, at Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1858, he went to Europe and traveled for five years in that country. While at school he received the first medal for Christian doctrine and penmanship. He entered the service of the Unrted States and remained for three years; was mustered out after a hard campaign in Arkansas, being badly used up. He participated in five engagements during the war; was at Wilson's Creek with General Lyon, and was by his side when he spoke his last words to his men before the battle. Mr. D. went from St. Louis to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1878, and with William A. Maynard started the Catholic Tribune. After two years' publication, he moved the establishment to St. Joseph, where he has built up a good paper. Mr. Davis' connection and success with the Tribune shows what energy is necessary and how much it has taken in bringing the enterprise to where it now stands. He is a good writer and is entitled to success.
As printed in The history of Buchanan County, Missouri (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.