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.

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