James Newman Davis 1850-1930

DAVIS, GILBERT, SAMPSON, STEELE, BERRY, ZELLNER, SHERWOOD, SCHOOLEY

Posted By: Marilyn Norris Holmes (email)
Date: 5/14/2008 at 06:16:34

Grinnell (IA) Herald

J.N. DAVIS FUNERAL THURSDAY

J.N. Davis, oldest son of Joseph and Elizabeth Davis, was born near Fremont, Mahaska County, Iowa, April 7, 1850 and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. L.J. Sampson, 720 East St., Grinnell, Iowa, May 13, 1930, aged 80 years, 1 month and 6 days.

He grew to manhood, with his parents, on a farm near Fremont. In 1879 he was united in marriage with Rebecca Ellen Gilbert of near Hedrick, Iowa. To this union five children were born, three of whom survive him. They are Mrs. Joe Steele of Montezuma, Mrs. L.J. Sampson of Grinnell and W.E. Davis of Chicago. Two children, Minnie Myrtle and Moses, died in infancy.

He is survived by three sisters and four brothers, Abbie Berry, Milo, Mo.; Nancy Zellner, of Oregon; La Vica Sherwood, Portland, Oregon; Alvin of Minnesota; Lee of Montana; Thomas and Ellis of Des Moines, Iowa. The two latter were present with their brother during his illness and were at the funeral service. There are nine grandchildren.

In 1887 Mr. Davis with his family moved to Grinnell and made his home here until 1909 when he moved to the farm west of Montezuma. While in Grinnell Mr. Davis worked at the building trade. He lived on the farm west of Montezuma until the death of his wife, two years ago. He then returned to Grinnell and made his home with his daughter, Mrs. L.J. Sampson, where he was lovingly cared for until his death. He was a faithful husband, a devoted father and kind neighbor.

Funeral services were held at the home of his daughter on Thursday afternoon, conducted by the Rev. George Blagg. The hymns "I will sing you a song of that beautiful land" and "Gathering Home" were sung by Mrs. J.S. McCuniff and Mrs. Roscoe Dempster. Burial was made in Hazelwood. The pall bearers were nephews and grand nephews of the deceased, Messrs. Jud Gilbert, Sherman Gilbert, Will Schooley, Harold Schooley, Amos Gilbert and Ray Gilbert.

NOTE: J.N. Davis and Rebecca Ellen Gilbert were married 01 Dec 1879 and that record is recorded in Wapello Co. Iowa. (Rebecca's obit says they were married 09 Dec 1878.)