James R. Davis

DAVIS, FERGUSON, HENDERSON, KENEDY, REES, ROLLSTIN, YOUNG

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/27/2004 at 11:30:59

James R. Davis, who is living retired in Winterset, has been a prominent official of this county and is also entitled to honor as a veteran of the Civil war. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on the 17th of September, 1832, a son of William and Elizabeth (Rollstin) Davis, also natives of that county. The father was born on the 26th of March, 1808, and the mother on the 5th of December, 1814, and their marriage was celebrated in 1830. William Davis worked upon the "pike" in Washington county, Pennsylvania, for a time but in 1841 removed with his family to Guernsey county, Ohio, where he farmed until 1857, when he came to Winterset, Iowa, arriving here on the 2d of May. He made the journey with ox teams and settled in Union township, this county, where he became the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of land. He remained there until 1870, when he went to Kansas, in which state he passed away in 1878. He survived his wife for about twelve years, as she died on the 4th of May, 1866. He was a member of the United Presbyterian church and was highly esteemed in his community.

James R. Davis attended the district schools of Guernsey county, Ohio, in the acquirement of his education and after reaching maturity began farming, continuing to follow agricultural pursuits in this county until the Civil war broke out. On the 19th of August, 1862, he offered his services to the federal government in defense of the Union, enlisting as a member of Company F, Thirty-ninth Volunteer Infantry. He was made corporal and never faltered in the performance of his duty as a soldier. When driving an ammunition wagon he was taken prisoner but fortunately was rescued by his comrades. On the 5th of June, 1865, he was discharged at Washington, D. C.

Returning to his farm in Union township, this county, Mr. Davis resumed the cultivation of the soil and the raising of stock, both of which occupations proved very profitable. In 1879 he was elected sheriff of the county on the republican ticket and proved an efficient officer of the law. In 1887 he was appointed steward of the county home and held that position for seven years. He set out trees upon the place and made a number of substantial improvements. While he was vigilant in safeguarding the interests of the county, he also did all in his power to make the home as pleasant as possible for the inmates. For eight years he served as justice of the peace in Union township and following his removal to Winterset in 1908 was justice of the peace here but has now resigned. He is living retired, as he has accumulated a competence that assures him of the necessities and comforts of life during his remaining years. Mr. Davis married on the 10th of February, 1853, Miss Margaret Henderson, whose birth occurred in Guernsey county, Ohio, on the 5th of May, 1833. Her father, John Henderson, was born on the 1st of January, 1809, in Ohio and followed the occupation of farming. In 1857 he removed to Monmouth, Illinois, where he passed away a number of years later. He was a devout member of the United Presbyterian church and religion played a very important part in his life. His wife, who was born on the 27th of June, 1809, proved a true helpmate indeed and both were accorded a high place in the estimation of those who knew them.

Mr. and Mrs. Davis became the parents of nine children, five of whom are living: Nancy J., who gave her hand in marriage to W. C. Young, a farmer of Minnesota, by whom she has five children; Martha, the wife of C. A. Higgs, a farmer of Alberta, Canada, by whom she has three children; James B., a farmer of Wapello county, Iowa, who is married and has three children; William Thomas, born March 13, 1866, who is farming in Madison county and who has four children; and John M., of Kasson, Minnesota, who has three children. Mary M. became the wife of A. T. Rees, a son of one of the pioneer blacksmiths of this county, and passed to her reward, leaving three children. Mr. and Mrs. Davis lost three other children, Findley, Leslie M., and Elizabeth Ann, and the wife and mother passed away June 17, 1899. There are eighteen grandchildren living and ten great-grandchildren. On the 28th of March, 1901, Mr. Davis married Miss Hannah Kennedy, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a daughter of James and Elinor (Ferguson) Kennedy, both natives of Ireland, the father born in County Derry in 1813 and the mother in County Tyrone in 1814. Mr. Kennedy was a weaver of linen in Ireland and on coming to the United States in 1838 settled in Philadelphia, where he followed his trade until 1854. In that year he removed to Ohio and turned his attention to farming. Two years later he went to Indiana and there cultivated land until 1871, when he came to Union township, this county. He owned land both in Indiana and in Union township and was a successful agriculturist, although when he first began farming he "knew nothing about it. His religious faith was that of the United Presbyterian church. His death occurred in 1892 and that of his wife in 1875.

Mrs. Davis is an active worker in church circles and she has many friends in the community. Mr. Davis is also one of the influential members of the United Presbyterian church and for forty years has served as elder. His political adherence is given to the republican party and he is never remiss in the duties of a good citizen. As a member of the Grand Army of the Republic he keeps in touch with his comrades of the Civil war and finds much pleasure in his association with them. Integrity and rectitude have always characterized him, and the evening of his life is crowned with the honor due him.

Information taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”