Mrs. Mary A. Davies, widow of Lewis Davies (deceased), was born in Whiteoven, Cumberlandshire, England, May 1, 1819, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Burkhart) Mitchell. She was married on March 21, 1841, to Lewis Davies, who was born in Shopshire, England, Feb. 11, 1806, a son of John and Margaret Davies. In 1845 Mr. Davies came to America, where he remained two years, then returned to England for his family. They embarked for this country in 1847, landed at New Orleans, thence to McGregor, Iowa, settling on a farm in Mendon Township, where they have since resided. Thirteen children blessed this union, eleven of whom lived to maturity. Nine are now living, viz.: Thomas, who married Louisa West; Daniel, who married Lizzie Allen; William, a resident of Montana; James, who married Mary Moore; Lewis, who married Ella West; George, who married Christina Gray; Richard, who resides on the home farm with his
mother; Mary and Sarah. When Mr. and Mrs. Davies came to Clayton County, McGregor was a village of six houses, and the prairies round about were in a wild and uncultivated state. Bravely they went to work, and out of the unbroken wilderness produced a finely improved farm. Mr. Davies died Nov. 29, 1875, and in his death Clayton County lost one of her most respected citizens. Mrs. Davies is still residing on the farm, which consists of 300 acres, 170 under cultivation. She is a member of the Congregational church, as was her husband during his lifetime. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 975-976 |