DAVIS, Guy E.

DAVIS, WELLINGTON, WILLIS, HAGEN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/25/2014 at 06:00:41

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors

The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. pp. 249-50. Chicago. 1915.

GUY E. DAVIS

Guy E. DAVIS is a successful dealer in feed, seed and grain at Pleasanton and also buys and sells real estate and in addition to his other work makes a specialty of collections. He was born in Montrose, Lee county, Iowa, September 20, 1872, a son of Francis M. and Lydia (Wellington) Davis, natives respectively of Appanoose countv, Iowa, and Nauvoo. Illinois. For twenty-nine years the father was captain of the Dan Hines steamboat on the Mississippi but in 1879 he abandoned the river and removed to Decatur county, Iowa, where he purchased forty acres of land south of Lamoni. He improved his property to some extent but after several years sold that place and purchased one hundred and eighty-six and a half acres in Hamilton township, to the cultivation of which he devoted the remainder of his life. Before he could plant crops, however, it was necessary for him to break the greater part of his land as there were only eighteen acres under cultivation when the place came into his possession. As the years passed he added many improvements and the farm became in time one of the valuable properties of the township. He enlisted for service in the Civil war at Keokuk in Company A, First Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, and served for four years and three months. While in the army he contracted a disease from which he never recovered and which eventually caused his death, which occurred December 19, 1898. His wife survived for almost ten years, dying May 23, 1908.

Guy E. Davis was reared and educated in Hamilton township and remained with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age, when he purchased forty acres adjoining his father's farm in Hamilton township. After cultivating his land for one year he went to Missouri, where he rented a quarter section, which he operated for two years. As times were bad he was worse off financially at the end of that time than at the beginning, but he was not disheartened and in time retrieved his fortunes. He purchased eighty acres of land in Mercer county, Missouri, which he cultivated, at the same time serving as constable. His duties in that office required him to be in the saddle the greater part of the time and it was necessary for him to plow by moonlight. At the end of eight years he had his land paid for and was in quite comfortable circumstances. He served for twelve years in all as constable. At length he abandoned farming and removed to Pleasanton, where he is now engaged in the sale of feed, seed and grain and in dealing in real estate. He also gives much attention to collections and is likewise a notary public. He is recognized as a successful business man and is characterized by energ>^ and sound judgment. He still owns his farm and also holds title to an additional forty acres near Cainesville, Missouri. He owns his home in Pleasanton, which he erected and also has another residence property here, which he rents. In addition to these holdings he owns the building in which his business is located and a garage.

On the 1st of January, 1895, Mr. Davis married Miss Effie A. Willis, a daughter of E. M. and Edwener (Hagen) Willis, both natives of Missouri. They are still living in Mercer county, that state, where the father carried on agricultural pursuits during his active life. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have become the parents of four children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being: Raymond M., fourteen years of age; and Lloyd E., twelve years old.

Mr. Davis is a republican and has taken quite an active part in politcal affairs. Since coming to Pleasanton he has served as constable and marshal for five years and has also been a member of the town council and the school board. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he aided in organizing at Saline, Missouri. His religious faith is that of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints. He enjoys the full respect of all who are brought in contact with him and his business activities are a factor in the commercial expansion of Pleasanton.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2014