Pg 519

         WILLIAM B. DAVIS, a farmer residing on section 24, Oakland Township, was born in Orange County, N. Y., in 1819, and was the eldest of nine children of Isaac and Nancy (Herrington) Davis, natives of Orange County, N. Y. His father followed the occupation of farming, and in 1834, accompanied by his family, emigrated to Ohio, settling upon a farm which he made his home for thirty years, and thence removed to Otoe County, Neb., locating near Nebraska City in 1864. His death occurred May 14, 1887, at the ripe old age of ninety-five years. His wife preceded him to her final rest, dying in 1882, at the age of eighty-five. Mr. Davis served as a soldier of the War of 1812, and was one of the prominent citizens of the community in which he resided.

Our subject grew to manhood upon his father’s farm, and obtained his education in the district schools of New York and Ohio. On the 27th of October, 1843, in Coshocton County, Ohio, he led to the marriage altar Miss Charlotte Clark, a native of Pennsylvania, of which State her parents, George and Mary (Huff) Clark, were also natives. Her father became a soldier in the War of 1812, in which he was probably killed, as he was never again heard of. The mother afterward married, and moved to Ohio, where she died many years ago, when about eighty-four years of age. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Davis began their domestic life upon a farm in Ohio, he purchasing unimproved land, which he cultivated, and subsequently owned three other farms. By their union two children were born: George W., who is married, and resides in Louisa County; and Joanna, now Mrs. Wolford, who is living in Pawnee County, Neb.

In 1864 Mr. Davis, accompanied by his family, came to Louisa County, settling on section 24, Oakland Township, where he purchased 130 acres of improved land, which is now in a high state of cultivation. He has since purchased a farm for his son, and now rents his own land. He has always taken great interest in political affairs, is a Democrat, and strongly advocates the principles of that party. For the past twenty years he has held the office of Justice of the Peace, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity, and for fifteen years has been a member of the School Board. He has aided greatly in the organization of the school districts in his township, and is prominent in advancing the cause of education. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and his wife belongs to the German Reformed Church at Conesville. Their home is pleasantly situated about seven miles from Columbus Junction and a mile and a half from Conesville. Mr. and Mrs. Davis receive the respect and confidence of all who know them, and have many warm friends in the county.