William Jackson Davis (1908)

DAVIS, SMELSER, ELLIS, DUENSING

Posted By: Kent Transier (email)
Date: 6/24/2005 at 10:58:21

Altoona Herald, Mar 19, 1908

DIED Saturday, March 14, 1908, Mr. W. J. Davis, at his home south east of Altoona, aged 78 years, 11 months.

In death of Mr. W. J. Davis another one of Iowa's pioneer men has been called to the home beyond. He has been failing in health and the disease fastening its grip upon him brought home to his bed where he was tenderly cared for until the reaper death came on Saturday, March 14, 1908. W. J. Davis was born at Rushville, Rush County, Indiana, April 27, 1829. On September 8, 1859, he was united in marriage to Mary A. Smelser at Rushville, Indiana. To this union five children were born, William J., Elizabeth Merneivia, Ruby Armildia, Cora May, and Chas. Milton, three of whom have preceded the father to the home on high. He came to Monroe Iowa, in 1860, in 1861 moved to Winterset and to Des Moines in 1883, living there until 1891 when he moved to the present home southeast of Altoona. He was a man highly respected by his friends and neighbors and a Christian husband, father and brother, having united with the Church of Christ in 1858. A wife, one son C. M. Davis and a daughter Mrs. A. Q. Duensing with six brothers and sisters survive. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. D. R. Ellis, of Rising Sun after which the body was interred in the Canfield cemetery.