James P. Davis 1844-1903

DAVIS, PARKS, SULLIVAN, SPENCER, JACKSON, HARRISON

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 3/8/2013 at 08:49:01

JAS. P. DAVIS DECEASED.

Born at Moundsville, Virginia
Feb.11, 1844, Died
at Bonaparte, Aug. 13.

OBITUARY SKETCH.

James P. Davis, son of John C. and Elizabeth Parks Davis, was born at Moundsville, Virginia, February 11, 1844. He lived at Moundsville one year and moved with his parents to Burlington, Iowa, where he lived until he was fourteen years of age.

They next moved to Edina, Mo., where Mr. Davis began school teaching when he was seventeen years of age. He studied law and was admitted to the bar when twenty-one.

April 14, 1864, he was married to Miss Alice M. Sullivan at Labelle, Missouri, and they removed to Bonaparte in August of 1868.

For six terms Mr. Davis was Principal of the schools of Bonaparte, in this way becoming interested in and well acquainted with the people of Bonaparte with whom he has since lived.

Mr. Davis is best known however as the Bonaparte postmaster for in that capacity he has served until he was the oldest Presidential postmaster in Iowa. In political affairs Mr. Davis was one of the straightest of Republicans and the recognized leader of that party in his town and township. He was a splendid organizer and campaigner and would have been a successful politician in a much larger sphere.

He united with the Presbyterian church in 1874 and remained a member until death. He leaves a wife and two children, Mrs. Lola Spencer and Harry Davis, whom they adopted. His brothers and sisters who are living are LeRoy, Lewis and George Davis of Athelia, Mo., J. M. Davis, Mrs. Hattie G. Jackson and Mrs. Sarah J. Harrison of Hamilton, Ill.

For years Mr. Davis has been suffering with dropsy and his wonderful constitution has fought the dread disease much longer than physicians thought possible. He died Thursday at 2:30 A. M. August 13, 1903. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Duty at the home at 10:30 Friday. The I. O. O. F. had charge of the latter part of the service and sent six of their number with the remains to Hamilton, Ill., where he was laid to rest. The pall bearers who accompanied the body were A. Rounds, C. Anson, W. Wilson, J. W. Persinger, A. Steadman and Wm. Lackey. Benj. Ketcham, who had been with Mr. Davis for many hours of his illness also accompanied the body of his friend to its last resting place.

Miss Fannie Wilson was appointed acting postmaster by the bondsmen, Benj. Ketcham, B. R. Vale, and John H. Cresap, and will serve until a successor is appointed.

Source: Entler Scrapbook, vol. 4, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA