Davis, Samuel

DAVIS, BARNHILL, SPEER, WILLIAMS

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 10/7/2020 at 14:57:06

Samuel Davis, deceased, was born in Greene County, Pa., 1791, and was the son of John and Jemima (Barnhill) Davis, who were of Welsh and Scotch descent. John Davis was born Oct. 9, 1750, and Jemima Barnhill in 1758. They were married Sept. 26, 1780. While an infant, Samuel moved with his parents to Fleming County, Ky., where he grew to manhood and learned the trade of wheelwright. In 1822, he emigrated to Indianapolis, Ind., and in connection with a brother ran a shop for some years. He there, on the 7th of December, 1826, was united in marriage with Nancy Speer, a native of Franklin County, Ind., born Oct. 13, 1809, and daughter of Robert and Nancy (Williams) Speer, the former being a native of Ireland, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Shortly after his marriage he moved to a farm in Marion County, Ind., and there lived till 1856, when the family moved to Washington County, where he lived till his death, which occurred Feb. 24, 1880.

On coming to Washington County, our subject bought 100 acres of land on section 4, Franklin Township, where his widow still lives. They were the parents of nine children: Mary, wife of Preston Smithers, of West Chester, born Sept. 28, 1827; John, born Feb. 10, 1830, now residing in Lane County, Kan.; Martha Jane, born April 19, 1832, was married to Henry W. Miller, of Marion County, Ind., and died Feb. 5, 1855; Robert Speer, born Jan. 10, 1835, died in infancy; Elizabeth B., born July 28, 1836, died Sept. 18, 1854; Nancy Ann, born June 22, 1839, married Daniel Anderson, and died Nov. 30, 1869; Samuel Craig, born May 26, 1842, now resides on the home farm; William Thomas, born Feb. 14, 1846, died in infancy, and Minerva, born Feb. 7, 1848, is now the wife of R.H. Runyon, of Keota.

Mr. Davis was a soldier in the war of 1812, under Gen. Harrison. He was an honest, upright man, fair in all his dealings, and was well respected by all. Mrs. Davis is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of Samuel Davis, pages 338-339.