Carroll County IAGenWeb

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY IOWA

A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement

VOLUME II ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1912

Transcribed by Sharon Elijah August 20, 2020

Mr. & Mrs. Squire Armstrong Davis

Charles Edwin Davis, the owner of three hundred and thirty acres of valuable land in Union township, is an agriculturist residing on section 6. His birth occurred in that township, about forty rods from his present residence, in January, 1860, his parents being Squire Armstrong and Catharine A. (Morris) Davis. The father was born in Mercer county, Ohio, on the 12th of June, 1833, while his mother‘s birth occurred at Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, on the 8th of March, 1827. The paternal grandparents were Jacob and Isabel (Converse) Davis, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Cincinnati, Ohio. They became early settlers of Carroll county, Iowa, but passed away in Douglas county, Oregon, near Elkton, when well advanced in years. Jacob Davis followed general agricultural pursuits throughout practically his entire business career. Unto him and his wife were born five children: Thomas, who died in early life; William, who died in the army; Mary, who passed away on the 29th of March, 1911, and was the wife of Robert Haney, of Elkton, Oregon; Squire Armstrong, the father of our subject; and one who died in infancy.

The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Catharine A. (Morris) Davis was John Morris, a whitesmith and jeweler, who wedded Miss Kate McKelvey. His father, Robert Morris, was the founder of the family in this country and followed the profession of school teaching in New Jersey. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Catharine A. Davis were Holland and Amelia (Springer) Watson, residents of Delaware. The former died in that state but the latter’s demise occurred in New Jersey. The parents of Mrs. Catharine A. Davis were Robert and Nancy (Watson) Morris, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Wilmington, Delaware. They came to Iowa in 1855 and settled in Union township, Carroll county, here spending the remainder of their lives. Robert Morris devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits and passed away on the 22d of November, 1872, when in his eighty-second year. His remains were interred in the Carrollton cemetery. He had a creditable military record, participating in the war of 1812. His wife was called to her final rest on the 18th of March, 1877, at the age of seventy-five years and seventeen days. Their children were as follows: Colonel David B. Morris, who is a resident of Pennsylvania; Thomas T., living in Des Moines; John H., of St. Louis; Catharine Ann; and James and Robert, who died in early life.

Squire Armstrong Davis, the father of Charles E. Davis, removed to Washington county, Iowa, when a little lad of six years. In early manhood he followed carpentering and surveying. The year 1855 witnessed his arrival in Carroll county. On the 24th of August, 1857, he wedded Miss Catharine A. Morris, with whom he settled on a farm of ten acres in Union township, continuing to reside thereon for ten or eleven years. On the expiration of that period he removed to a farm of one hundred and sixty acres farther west in the same township and later extended the boundaries of the property by an additional purchase of ninety acres and devoted his time and energies to its cultivation and improvement. His demise occurred on the 30th of August, 1900, when he had attained the age of sixty-seven years. In his passing the county mourned the loss of one of its most honored and respected early settlers—one who had endured the privations and hardships of pioneer life and had taken an active part in the work of development and upbuilding. He was highly esteemed as a rugged, industrious and upright man and by his friends was familiarly called “Strong” Davis. He held various township offices, including those of supervisor and township assessor, and served as sheriff of Carroll county for two terms, from 1864 until 1867. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted as a private of Company C, Fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving as a soldier for several years., He was wounded at Chickasaw Bayou. Both he and his wife joined the United Brethren church after having been identified with the Methodist denomination for many years. Mrs. Catharine A. Davis is still living and is now in her eighty-fifth year. She was the mother of seven children, four of whom yet survive, as follows: Charles Edwin, of this review; Ida V., the wife of John Peede, of Osceola, Clarke county, Iowa; Liona, who is the wife of Edward Davidson and resides in Union township; and Cora, the wife of William Anderson, of Union township.

Charles E. Davis was reared on his father’s farm and has spent his entire life within the borders of Carroll county. He acquired his education in the district schools and after attaining his majority started out as an agriculturist on his own account, operating the home farm until the time of his marriage. Following that important event in his life he purchased a tract of one hundred and twenty acres in Union township, whereon he has resided continuously since. As he prospered in the conduct of his farming interests he added to his holdings from time to time until they now embrace three hundred and thirty acres of rich and productive land. The property is well improved in every particular and in its neat and thrifty appearance gives evidence of the supervision of a practical and progressive owner.

On the 1st of January, 1890, Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Piper, a native of Carroll county and a daughter of Thomas and Rebecca (Livingston) Piper, who were born in Pennsylvania. Her paternal grandfather spent his entire life in the Keystone state, following farming throughout his active business career. Unto him and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Oils, were born six children, namely: James, Thomas, John, Mary, Margaret and Eliza. William Livingston, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Davis, was a native of Pennsylvania and a gentleman of German descent. By occupation he was a farmer. Unto him and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Jane Grove, were born eight children: James, Thomas, Samuel, Rebecca, Joseph, Etta, Birch and Edward. Three of the sons participated in the Civil war. The parents of Mrs. Davis came to Iowa in 1868, settling near Carrollton in Carroll county, where Thomas Piper died at the age of seventy-one years. He was a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting from Pennsylvania. His wife still survives him. Their children were eight in number, as follows: William, Jennie, Harry, Minnie, Arvilla, Mary, Edward and George. Thomas Piper was twice married, his first union being with Mary Funk, by whom he had five children: Belle, Calvin, Harriet Ann, Stewart and John. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are the parents of three children: Ada, Edward and Lawrence.

Mr. Davis is a republican in politics and held the office of road supervisor for one term. Both he and his wife are devoted and consistent members of the United Brethren church at Carrollton. They have spent their entire lives in this county and enjoy an extensive and favorable acquaintance within its borders.

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