JAMES R. DAVIS.

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         Among the well known citizens of foreign birth who make their homes in Iowa may be named James R. Davis who is now living retired at Columbus Junction. He is in the seventy-third year of his age and is enjoying at leisure the fruits of many years of industry, in the course of which he ably attempted to perform his part. He was born in Wales October 15, 1838, a son of David G. and Eleanor (Jones) Davis, both of whom were also natives of Wales. The father came to America with his family in 1841 and located in Butler county, Ohio, where he engaged in the blacksmith’s trade. He and his wife are both deceased. In their family were six children: David, deceased, Mary, who is now the wife of Newton Beal, of Butler county; Sarah, who married Richard Howe, of Hartwell, Ohio; Evan, who is now living in Van Wert county, Ohio; James R., of this review; and Margaret, deceased.

         James R. Davis was brought to the United States by his parents at the age of three years and in the public schools he secured the elements of an education. Upon arriving at the age of fifteen years he was apprenticed for three years to the blacksmith’s trade and he continued at the anvil until after the outbreak of the Civil war. Actuated by a spirit of loyalty to his adopted country he enlisted October 15, 1861, in Company H, Fifth Ohio Cavalry, and served most creditably as a soldier for the Union during a period of eight months, at the close of which he was honorably discharged at Corinth, Mississippi, on account of physical disability. After laying aside the accouterments of war he returned to peaceful pursuits at Hamilton, Ohio, and continued to reside in the Buckeye state until July, 1890, when he came to Columbus Junction, Iowa, where he has . . .

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. . . since made his home. He engaged at his trade in this place for four years and then on account of failing health retired from active labor.

         Mr. Davis married Miss Jane F. Wood, and to this union five children were born, one of whom died in infancy. The others were Nellie, who is the wife of W. Arthur, of Louisa county; John, who is now living in Nebraska; and Edith and Sarah, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Davis cast his first vote in behalf of the republican party and he is still a steadfast adherent of that organization. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and by virtue of wearing the blue at the time of the Civil war is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, many of his best friends being connected with that order. Always industrious, enterprising and straightforward in his business relations, he is justly entitled to respect and is regarded as one of the substantial and trustworthy citizens of Columbus Junction.