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WILLIAM S. DAVIS, whose sketch now claims attention, is one of the representative citizens of Williamsburg and is a gentleman highly respected for his upright character. He is a native of this county, having been born in Dodd's Township, March 5, 1837, and has been a continuous resident here with the exception of two years, which he spent in Perry County, this state. William and Mary (Black) Davis, parents of our subject, reared a family of twelve children, of whom he is the sixth in order of birth. They were natives of Green County, Ky., where their marriage occurred, and thence they went to Nashville, Tenn., where they made their home for a few years prior to coming to Illinois. When locating in the Prairie State they made their home in Jefferson County, where they engaged in farming, which was their occupation until the time of their decease, the father dying January 7, 1857, and the mother several years later. William Davis, Sr., was an ordained minister of the Baptist Church, and he preached the Gospel in connection with his farming interests during his more active life. William S., of this sketch, received only limited advantages for obtaining an education and for a short time attended the subscription school. He was kept busy on his father's farm until reaching his majority, when he began working for himself, and for three years made his home with his brother, L. G. Davis. At the expiration of that time he established a home of his own and began farming on his own account. In October, 1864, Mr. Davis became a Union soldier, and as a member of Company E, Thirtyfirst Illinois Infantry, was mustered into service at Atlanta, Ga. He participated in numerous skirmishes and served on guard duty until May 12, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Quincy on account of a wound which he received near Savannah, Ga., at which time his left hand was shot away. He also contracted a lameness during his army life which has since incapacitated him for hard labor of any kind. The lady whom our subject married, February 16, 1869, was Miss Elizabeth C., daughter of A. P. and Palmyra (Cockram) Whitlow. Their union has resulted in the birth of seven children, only two of whom are living. Margaret Josephine, who married James W. Morgan, is living in Mt. Vernon ; Earl W. resides at home with his father. September 26, 1884, Mrs. Elizabeth C. Davis departed this life. Two years later our subject married Miss Martha T. Arnold, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Arnold, natives of Tennessee, who at the time of her marriage were residing in this county. Mrs. Martha Davis died January 31, 1888, of heart disease. The lady whom our subject chose as his third wife, and whom he married July 18, 1889, was Miss Missouri E., daughter of William and Amelia (Johnson) Brayfield. Mrs. Davis is a devoted member of the Free Will Baptist Church and her life is that of a true Christian. Socially Mr. Davis is connected with Marion Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is also a member of Colman Post No. 508, G. A. R., at Mt. Vernon. In politics he is a stanch Republican and has been ever since the outbreak of the late war.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, IL |
For corrections or additions, please contact me: Sandy Bauer