[ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

Enos Davis (1816-1908)

DAVIS, WHITAKER, ANTHONY, WIRT, MARTIN

Posted By: Barry Mateer (email)
Date: 1/16/2017 at 08:39:55

Enos Davis was born at Atwater, Portage county, Ohio, July 31, 1816, and he died at his home in Osceola, Ia., Nov., 6, 1908, aged 92 years, 3 months, and 27 days. He was the son of William and Pheobe Whitaker Davis, and the latter of South Carolina.

In early days his parents moved to White Pigeon, Mich., and he was married to Mary Anthony at Ontario, Ind. By the Rev. Wm. Jones, a Presbyterian minister, making 65 years of wedded life together. Four children were born to them. Pariel Marium, and Homer A., deceased, and Charles A. and George E. In the fall of 1848, Mr. Davis and family located in what is now Garden Grove township, being one of the first three settlers, the others being his father, Wm. Davis and Ozran Kellogg. Of these Mr. Davis is the last one to pass away. Garden Grove was one of the temporary settlements of the Mormons when enroute to Salt Lake City from Nauvoo, in the early spring of 1846. These three settlers bought the improvements made by the Mormons. At that time this was supposed to be the only settlement in Decatur county.

Mr. Davis did a good business a number of years showing land which was held by claim. Settlers formed a protective society to prevent speculators from enjoying peaceful possession of land that was already occupied or claimed. In the fall of 1853, Mr. Davis entered land in Franklin township, which he helped to organize and name, and was the first justice of the peace. In 1861, he returned to Garden Grove township and bought a farm on Gospel Ridge, after which they removed to the farm on Tick Ridge where they resided until failing health of both compelled them to build a neat cottage in Osceola, where they could be close to and cared for by their son, George, and where he has resided until he passed away last Friday morning. Mr. Davis leaves to mourn his death, an aged wife, 84 years old, two sons, George and Charles, also two granddaughters, Mrs. J.W. Wirt and Mrs. Wm. Martin of Parsons, Kans., and several other grandchildren, also one brother, Amas J. who resides near Weldon, Iowa, the last surviving brother of a large family of children. Mr. Davis had been sick for several years but bore his sufferings without a murmur, awaiting the day when he would be at rest with his God.

His remains were brought from Osceola Monday noon and were taken in charge by the Masonic lodge of Garden Grove, of which he has been a faithful member since 1878.

After the services of the Masonic lodge, Rev. Goodsell made a short address of his life’s work in this country and of the many trials which were encountered in early pioneer days. The funeral was one of the largest ever held in the county, friends and neighbors for miles around came to attend. Masonic Knights from Osceola, Humeston and Leon were in attendance.

His aged wife, who is under the care of Mrs. Craigo, at Leon, was able to attend the funeral although very feeble and in poor health. The floral offerings were many and beautiful.

While in Garden Grove, he was for many years President of the Old Settlers Association and was largely responsible for its great success.

In respect for this aged citizen, the business houses in Garden Grove were closed during the services.

The Osceola Sentinel, November 19, 1908
Osceola Iowa


 

Clarke Obituaries maintained by Brenda White.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen

[ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]