William E. Davis

DAVIS, TODD, JAMES, EVANS, THOMAS

Posted By: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs (email)
Date: 3/24/2009 at 17:14:40

WILLIAM E. DAVIS, of Exira Township, was born in Wales, in the village of Merther, May 28, 1839. When he was five years old his parents emigrated to the United States, and settled in Minersville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. His father, David Davis, was a miner by occupation, and followed this calling the greater part of the time after he came to America. Later in life, however, he removed to Trumbull County Ohio, and there died in 1861. His wife, Lucy (Todd) Davis, died in Minersville In 1852; she was the mother of nine children, only three of whom survive. William E. was the second child, and he attended the winter schools of Minersville until he was fourteen years old. At the age of ten years he began working in the mines, and when he bad reached his sixteenth year he made a regular hand. He continued this occupation until he was forty years of age. Mr. Davis was first united in marriage to Martha, daughter of John James, of Trumbull County, Ohio. Two children were the result of this union, one of whom is living David. In 1864 Mr. Davis entered the Union army, enlisting in Company D, One Hundred and Seventy first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was sent to guard Johnson's Island, and later was taken prisoner at Cynthiana, Kentucky. He was held for thirty six hours, when he was paroled and ordered to Camp Denison, near Cincinnati, Ohio, and was there exchanged and ordered back to Johnson's Island. He served the full term of his enlistment, and was mustered out of the service in August, 1864. He then returned to Trumbull County, and thence went to Rock Island County, Illinois, and engaged in coa lmining for two years. He then went to Henry County, Illinois, and worked in the mines at Green River. In the spring of 1879 removed his family to Audubon County, Iowa, having purchased eighty acres of wild land in 1872. Since then he has added to his first purchase until he owns 240 acres, which lie has developed into a fine stock farm. He has been very successful in the feeding of cattle, and occasionally ships a carload to eastern markets. Mr. Davis's second marriage occurred in 1864 to Mrs. Martha Evans, widow of Edward Evans, and daughter of Daniel Davis. Five children were the result of this union Lucy, the wife of T. Thomas; William, Benjamin and Leona, at home; one died in infancy. By her first marriage Mrs. Davis had seven children, only one of whom is living Elizabeth, wife of H. Hill. Mr. Davis has served a number of years as school director. In political matters he is rather conservative, but in State and National elections he votes the Republican ticket. He began life without any capital, but by diligence, hard work and economy he has accumulated a comfortable fortune.

1889 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES, IOWA
W. S. DUNBAR & CO., PUBLISHERS
113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO

pages 739-740