William H. Davies, M.D.

REED, HOGSETT, GWIN, SEIG, HENTON, PHILLIPS

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 3/3/2004 at 08:25:37

William H. Davies, M.D., of Maquoketa, is a fine representative of the medical profession of Iowa, being one of its ablest and most learned members. He at this writing, is President of the Jackson County Medical Sociery, and is a valued member of other medical societies in this State and elsewhere, as follows: The State Medical Society of Iowa; The Medical Society of the State of Virginia; is a permanent member of the American Medical Association, and is a registered pharmaceutist. Besides an extensive private practice, the doctor is acting as division surgeon of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway.

The doctor was born in Rockingham County, Va., near the town of Bridgewater, coming of an old family long settled in Virginia. His father, James Davies, was born in the same house in which our subject first saw the light of day, and his father, also named James Davies, was born on the same farm. He was a son of John Davies, a native of Ireland, and of Scotch ancestry, who emigrated to America in Colonial times, and became a pioneer of Rockingham County, Va. He was a weaver by trade, and followed that a part of the time after coming to this country. He took up a tract of timber land, and cleared a good deal of it, and made his home on it until death closed his mortal career. His home was in a beautiful and romantic situation, at the confluence of Mossy Creek and North River. In 1769 he erected a substantial two-story frame house, which is still standing. One peculiarity is noticable about its construction, and that is the narrowness of the windows which will not admit of the passage of a person. The reason of this is said to be as a protection against the Indians. The grandfather of our subject was a farmer, and spent his entire life on the old homestead. Our subject's maternal grandmother, whose maiden name was Martha Reed, was a native of Albemarle County, Va.

The father of our subject inherited a part of the estate from his father, and his entire life was passed within the old colonial mansion, where it had had its beginning, he dying there in February, 1885. He was a man whose character commanded the respect of his neighbors, among whom he lived a pure, upright, life. He was a man of influence and standing in his community, and his sagacious counsel was often sought by others. He was one of the foremost members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he was a Ruling Elder for forty years. We may add in this connection, that the great-grandfather and grandfather of our subject were also connected with that church, and were firm defenders of the faith. His wife, mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Mary A. Hogsett, was likewise a member of that church, having inherited her religious beliefs, as it were, from a long line of ancestry. She was a native of Augusta County, Va., and a daughter of William E. and Isabella (Gwin) Hogsett, natives, respectively, of Augusta and Highland Counties, that State, and of Scotch-Irish descent. The mother of our subject now resides with her other two children in Virginia. There were three offspring born of her marriage: Mattie A., wife of Henry B. Seig, of Churchville, Augusta Co., Va.; our subject; and James Walter, who resides on the old homestead.

Dr. Davies received an academic education in an excellent institution of learning, Mossy Creek Academy, graduating from there in the Class of 59. He had a decided inclination to enter the medical profession, and immediately after graduation began his studies with zeal and enthusiasm, under the instruction of doctors Gordon and Williams, at Harrisonburg, and he later attended lectures at Winchester Medical College, founded by Dr. McGuire, being a student there in the winter of 1859-60. He was a very diligent pupil, and easily mastered the prescribed course in that institution, and then entered the noted Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, and was graduated from there in March, 1861. April 4, he formed a co-partnership with Dr. J.G. Minor, and they opened an office in Bridgewater, Va., and practiced there until July 1, 1861. At this time a second draft was about to be made for men, and not wishing to unite with the militia, he entered the medical department of the Confederate Army, and during the last three years of the conflict, was Assistant Surgeon. That was a bitter school for the young physician, but he gained there-in experience and knowledge that a lifetime of study might not have imparted to him otherwise. After the war Dr. Davies located in Sangersville, Augusta County, his native State, and practiced his profession there until 1875. In that year he removed to Churchville, in the same county, and was busily engaged doctoring the ailments of the natives for some years. But his close application to his professional duties injured his health, and in 1884 he decided to try the effects of the climate of the Mississippi Valley, and selecting Maquoketa as a suitable location, he having friends here, he removed to this city with his family, opened an office, and has since been in practice at this point. In 1887, he bought a half-interest in a drug-store with G.A. Isbell, and devotes what time he can spare from his profession to the store.

Dr. Davies has been twice married. He was first wedded May 14, 1863, to Elizabeth V. Henton, a native of Augusta County, Va., and a daughter of Silas and Margaret Henton. Their wedded life was brief, for the young wife closed her eyes in eternal sleep on on February 9, 1866. The doctor's marriage to his present amiable wife, took place in October, 1871. Her maiden name was Maggie A. Phillips, and she was born July 18, 1849, in Sangersville, Augusta Co., Va., and is a daughter of Henry and Lavinia Phillips. The doctor and his wife have five children living, as follows: Bertha L., Lulu, James, Willie P., Walter R. Death has not spared this happy household, but has taken four from the flock. Maggie Iola died at the age of three months; Henry P., at the age of four years; Robert B. at the age of nine months; John C. in his fourth year, his death occurring in Maquoketa, and that of the others in Virginia.

The doctor is one of Nature's noblemen, a true gentleman, possessing the warm heart, genial courtesy, true tact, and sunny nature of the Southerner. In his profession he has won for himself a name and fame, second to that of no other physician in this section of the country. Religiously, he clings to the faith of his forefathers, and while in Virginia, was a Ruling Elder in the Loch Willow Presbyterian Church, at Churchville, Augusta County. Since coming to Maquoketa, there being no church of that denomination here, he and his wife united with the Congregationalists. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to Helion Lodge No. 36, A.F.A.M, Bathkol Chapter No. 94.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)