Wapello County IA Archives Biographies.....Davis, E. D. 1855 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ia/iafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 July 9, 2013, 3:23 pm Source: See Below Author: S. J. Clarke, Publisher E. D. DAVIS. A student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the annals of Wapello county, and especially of Competine township, without learning that the Davis family has figured most prominently and honorably in connection with the agricultural development of this part of the state. Since pioneer days the family has been represented here, and for almost six decades E. D. Davis has been not only a witness of the growth and development of Wapello county, but also an active participant in much that has been wrought for its present prosperity. He was born in this county December 25, 1855, and is a son of William and Priscilla (Mowery) Davis, who are mentioned in connection with the record of George W. Davis on another page of this work. Like others of the household, E. D. Davis remained at home, performing such tasks as were assigned him by parental authority and dividing his time with the work of the schoolroom. When his text-books were put aside he concentrated his energies upon farm work and upon school teaching. He had supplemented his early educational training by a college course and for some time he successfully engaged in teaching, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had acquired. When twenty-eight years of age he was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Eller, who was born in this county and is a daughter of Harvey E. and Mary C. (Vannoy) Eller, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. At an early day they came to Iowa and their remaining days were passed in Wapello county. In their family were fifteen children, of whom eleven are still living. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Davis began their domestic life upon the farm where they now reside, and he has become owner of three hundred and fifty acres in Competine township, constituting an excellent and well developed tract. He has brought his fields to a high state of cultivation, and has added many modern improvements to the farm, so that the place is one of the attractive features in the landscape. He has also a half interest in eighty acres in Dahlonega township, and in his business he makes a specialty of stock-raising, handling good grades of horses, cattle and hogs. Everything about his place bespeaks the thrift and enterprise of the owner, whose work is carefully managed and whose energy has been the secret of his growing success. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Davis have been born nine children: Wilbur C., now living in this county; Edward C., a teacher of agriculture at St. Paul, Minnesota; Harry, deceased; Clarence J., now a student in the State Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa; Mary C.; O. E.; Herbert P.; Roy M., and Raymond L., the younger children all attending school and living at home. The parents are members of the Baptist church, in the work of which they take an active interest, Mr. Davis serving now as school treasurer. His political support is given the democratic party and, while he has never sought nor desired political office, he has served as school treasurer for ten years, being the present incumbent in that position. He represents one of the well known old families of the county and, having lived here for fifty-eight years, he is familiar with much of the history of the development and progress in this part of the state. He can remember a time when much of the land was still uncultivated, when country homes were small and when now thriving cities were tiny towns. In the years which have since come and gone he has displayed a keen interest in the changes which have been wrought and has ever borne his part in the work of general improvement. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY IOWA ILLUSTRATED VOLUME II CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1914 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ia/wapello/bios/davis814gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/iafiles/ File size: 4.4 Kb