Biography - H. A. Davis
H. A. DAVIS. The gentleman whose name is at the head of this sketch is a
general farmer and a breeder of horses. The tract of land of which he is
proprietor comprises one hundred and sixty acres, and is located on section
33, Pickaway Township, Shelby County. Mr. Davis secured this land directly
from the Government in August, 1852, and since then has devoted himself to
improving it. Our subject came to this county when yet a small boy. He is a
native of Kentucky, being there born June 9, 1826, and is the son of Joshua
and Leah (Stitt) Davis, natives of Maryland and Kentucky, respectively, but
of Scotch-Irish ancestry.
After marriage our subject's parents began life in Nicholas County, Ky., and
there five of the children were born. About 1833, the family removed to this
state, coming by way of the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, up to
Naples, and thence over into Morgan County. There Mr. Davis Sr., rented land
for some time and was engaged in farming. Later they came to this county
settling here in a very early day, and purchasing some new and unbroken land
of the Government. The parents ended their lives in Ridge Township, the
father, January 4, 1868, and the mother February 18, 1857. They were then
aged respectively eighty and fifty years, and had been members, for a great
many years, of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Our subject is the third in order of eight children, of whom there were
three sons and five daughters. Four of these children are yet living. The
youngest son was killed at the battle of Chickamauga during the War of the
Rebellion. His name, John H. Davis, and the memory of his bravery and
loyalty will ever he cherished by family, comrades and friends. He of whom
we write was reared under the home roof in this county, where he became of
age. He has been a close and appreciative observer of all the changes that
have taken place in the history of the state from the '30s to the present
time. The original of our sketch has been fairly successful in a business
and financial way since starting out in life for himself.
Mr. Davis was married in this township and county, early in life to Miss
Elizabeth Robinson. Their marriage was celebrated in March, 1858. The lady
was born in Bourbon County, Ky., and came to Shelby County, this State, in
February, 1857. She died at her home here in June, 1867. She was the mother
of five sons, namely — James, Henry Alex., John H., George B. Mc., and
William G. Feeling the need of companionship after the death of his wife,
our subject was again married, the lady consenting to preside over his home
and be a mother to his children, was Miss Mary Rice. They were married in
1869. She is a native of this State although her parents were Kentuckians,
where they lived for some time. They passed away from life at their
daughter's home in this township, June, 1871. She was in middle life at the
time of her decease and left one child, Rosa B., having lost a son, Frank,
previous to the birth of the child mentioned. Our subject was again married,
this time to Mrs. Elizabeth Yunkins. She was born and reared in the State of
Alabama, and was married to a Southerner who died in the Southern army. By
her present marriage she is the mother of two children, namely: Cora B. and
Samuel T. She had one son by her first marriage, Thomas Jefferson.
Extracted 12 Jan 2018 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 422-423.
