Hancock County IL Archives Biographies.....Davis, Thomas A January 9, 1837 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Sandy Morrey sandymorrey@yahoo.com November 9, 2009, 6:53 pm Source: Hancock, McDonough and Henderson Counties, Illinois Author: Unknown THOMAS A. DAVIS, D. D. S., who is en- gaged in the practice of dental surgery in Warsaw, claims Missouri as the State of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Callaway County, Mo., July 9, 1837. He is a son of David B. and Rebecca Cynthia (Howe) Davis. His father was a native of Kentucky. He was born and reared near Mt. Sterling, and in his native State married Miss Howe. Soon after his removal to Missouri, the date of the event being 1832, he joined the church under the preaching of "Rac- coon" John Smith, a Christian minister, who also performed the wedding ceremony. Mr. Davis became a pioneer preacher of Missouri, and held meetings throughout that State and in Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana. He did much good in the world and added many to the church. He was born August 31, 1807, and died in Winches- ter, Ill., March 9, 1887. His wife passed away in Taylorville, Ill., November 7, 1864. This worthy couple were the parents of eight children, but the Doctor is the only one now living-. The Davis family was originally of Welsh extraction, but the great-great-grandfather married a French lady, and the great-grandfather married an Indian maiden. The Howe family was of English lineage. Dr. Davis was reared upon his father's farm, and early became familiar with the work of the fields, plowing corn, raising tobacco, etc. When he was sixteen years of age his father removed to Audrain County, Mo., and preached for many years for the Salt River Church. During that time our subject worked at carpentering for a while, and in the winter months engaged in teach- ing singing-school, but at length he determined to give his attention to dentistry. In the year 1872 he began the study of the same with Dr. D. G. Palmer, of McLean County, Ill., and in 1874 he became associated with his preceptor as a partner. This connection continued for two years, when, in 1876, he went to Atlanta, Logan County, where he spent four years. On the ex- piration of that period, he removed to Jerseyville, where the succeeding four years of his life were passed. He also spent four years in practice in Winchester, Ill., and in 1888 came to Warsaw, where he has since made his home. Dr. Davis has been twice married. On the 2 1st of September, 1861, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Sallie A. Broaddus, a daughter of William G. and Amelia Broaddus. Her death occurred June 8, 1883. They were the parents of eleven children, but only five are now living: Lucy E., wife of J. Hayes, a resident of Missouri; Ada, wife of J. E. Baird, of Jersey County, Ill.; Ira J., who resides in Vandalia, Mo.; Dollie, who is living in Centralia, Mo.; and Myrtle, who makes her home with her sister, Mrs. Baird. On the 19th of March, 1884, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Davis and Mrs. Mary E. White, daughter of H. S. Rodgers. They have one child, Viola. Dr. Davis has devoted his entire time and at- tention to dental work for the past twenty years, and has become an expert in his profession. His skill and ability secure him a liberal patronage, and he now occupies an enviable place among his professional brethren. Socially, he is a member of the Independent Order of Mutual Aid. He belongs to the Christian Church, is a stanch sup- porter of temperance principles, and takes an active interest in all that tends to benefit and elevate humanity. He is public-spirited and progressive, and the best interests of the city ever find in him a friend. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/hancock/bios/davis1545gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 4.1 Kb