Abel Davis 1820-1902

DAVIS, BAKER, WHITE, SPINAR, DOTY

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 8/13/2018 at 08:20:36

27 November 1902 - West Branch Times

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With the passing away of Abel Thomas Davis, who died at the home of his son, Wm. Davis, near Springdale, on the morning of the 19th of November, 1902, at the age of 82 years, 1 month and 21 days, another of the energetic pioneers of our state has been removed from our midst to reap the rewards of a long life of arduous toil. He was ever anxious to build up the community in which he lived and always ready to take his share of the duties necessary to accompish it.

He was born in Rockbridge county, Va., Sept. 28, 1820, and moved to Indiana with his parents, by wagon, in 1828. In October, 1841, he came to Muscatine, Iowa, then called Bloomington, and returned to Indiana in 1842, making the trip on foot. He was married to Hannah Ann Baker at Penelton, Ind., Aug. 1, 1844, who died July 5, 1845. He returned to Muscatine the same year and was married to Roselpha White, of New Boston, Ill., March 8, 1846. She died April 5, 1851, leaving one daughter, Emily V., now Emily V. Spinar. Mr. Davis was next married to Sarah Ann Doty, April 25, 1854. To this union were born seven children: Coral D., Atalissa M., Lydia, William, Sherman, Kate and Nellie. Nellie died April 7, 1877; Lydia died in California, Oct. 10, 1881; Mother died Aug. 19, 1872.

He was a pioneer of three states, Indiana, Iowa and Minnesota. He carried the mail out of Indianapolis, on horse back, before there was a railroad in the state and when every trip was full of danger. When he came to Muscatine on his first trip, in 1841, there were only three white men in the place, one of whom was his brother who had come here for the purpose of buying furs and trading with the Indians. In the summer of 1852 he was in Minnesota and broke the first furrow of ground where the city of Minneapolis now stands. He returned to Muscatine and moved to Cedar county in 1853. He has been a resident of these counties ever since.

He joined the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Pedee in 1867.

He was an active member of the Old Settler's Association of Cedar county, and served as its president one term. He was a member of the Masonic order for nearly fifty years, having been initiated as a Mason in the Golden Rule Lodge No. 24, at Rochester in Cedar county, Iowa on April 14, 1854. He was passed in that order Dec. 29, 1854, and raised on Jan. 27, 1855. Always enthusiastic in its support, he was careful to see that he was not delinquent in payment of dues through oversight, and at his request this order took charge of his funeral services, which were held on the 20th inst., at the Pedee church, where he had so long been a member. A very impressive and appropriate sermon was preached by Rev. Furniss of West Liberty. After the service at the church, the interment was made, with Masonic honors, in the cemetery of the Iowa township Bethel church.

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Thomas Davis, one of Cedar county's first settlers, was found dead in his bed Wednesday morning. Funeral was held from the residence of his son Wm. at 10 a.m. Friday, conducted by Rev. Furniss, of West Liberty; interment at Bethel cemetery. Mr. Davis had been in poor health for some time. His death was therefore not unexpected.