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Submitted by Cheryl Van Wormer.


				SAMUEL AND ADELINE E. (CHURCH) DAVIS.

SAMUEL DAVIS.  Among the farmers of Ionia County who have taken a part in the initial work of 
development is Samuel Davis, who is located on section 19, Otisco Township.  His possessions 
here include one hundred and forty acres of real estate, much of which was cleared and broken 
with his assistance.  One hundred and twenty acres is under improvement, and the buildings 
include a substantial farmhouse and barn and a large shed, together with other needful 
structures.  This farm has been the home of Mr. Davis since 1868, and he has lived in the 
township for a much longer period.
	William Davis, father of our subject, was and Englishman who emigrated to America early 
in the '40s, and after spending a few years in New York came to Michigan in 1849.  He settled in 
Ionia County, first working land o shares, but in 1856 buying one hundred and twenty acres of 
land.  when called hence in 1876, his estate was reduced to forty acres, the balance having been
sold to his children.  He was married to Elizabeth Talbott, who was also a native of the mother 
country and she shared his fortunes until 1862, when she closed her eyes in death.  Their 
children were William, Henry, Samuel, James, Sally A., Alfred, Mary E., Thomas E., Harriet and 
Caroline.
	The subject of this brief biographical sketch was born in England in 1839, and was three 
years old when he crossed the Atlantic with his parents.  He was a lad of ten years when he first
became acquainted with the county, for which he has so long and industriously labored as one of 
its enterprising agriculturists.  In March, 1864, he became a private in the Second Sharp-
Shooters Company, Twenty-seventh Michigan Infantry, and had the fortune to be present as an 
active participant in the battles of Ream's Station, Preble's Farm, Ft. Stedman and Ft. Hell, and
many other engagements.  He was discharged July 26, 1865, and rejoicing in the cessation of 
hostilities and the preservation of the Union he returned to his home.
	The marriage of Mr. Davis and Miss Adeline E. Church was solemnized at the bride's home 
June 28, 1868.  Mrs. Davis is a lady of intelligence and good judgment, one of a large family 
born to Silas and Sophia (Keeney) Church.  Our subject and his wife are the parents of three 
children, who bear the names of Lizzie, Frank and Vera.
	the first Presidential ballot cast by Mr. Davis was for Abraham Lincoln, and from that 
time to the present he has been unfaltering Republican.  He keeps himself well-informed regarding
topics of general interest, manifests the true public spirit in his care for the general welfare,
and conducts himself in a manner befitting an honorable man.


This biography is taken from "PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, 
MICHIGAN."  Chapman Brothers.  Chicago, Illinois.  1891.  Page 420.