Biographical Sketch of Randolph Truct Davis, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, MO >From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri. ********************************************************************** Randolph Truct Davis was born December 26, 1837. It is claimed that he was the first child of white parents born within the limits of what is now Buchanan County. His father, Ishmael Davis, was a native of Maryland, who emigrated from home and settled in Louis County, Kentucky, when a young man. He there married Miss Nancy McDaniel, a daughter of John R. McDaniel, a native of Scotland. Soon after their marriage they moved to Missouri, settling first in Hannibal, and as soon as the Platte Purchase was effected moved to that portion in- cluded in what is now Buchanan County, where he laid claim to a half section of land on Rock House Prairie, on which the subject of this sketch was born, as above mentioned, he being the fourth child of his parents. The eldest of these, Robert P., died in infancy. Rev. John C. C. Davis was a minister of the M. E. Church South, and a member of the Missouri Conference from 1852 to the period of his death in 1874. No man was more beloved in life by those who knew him, and he died regretted by all. The third child was Edney Ann, who died at the age of twelve years; and the fourth, the subject of this sketch; William Frank Davis, now of Clinton County, was the fifth; Ishmael Davis, of St. Joseph the sixth; Humphrey Marshall, who died in infancy, the seventh, and Nannie, the eighth and youngest. R. T. Davis received the advantages of a common school education, and, at the age of sixteen years, entered the Weston High School with the view to taking a regular collegiate course. He was, however, forced to forego this opportunity, in consequence of the financial embarrass- ment of his father, who happened to be a bondsman, in 1854, of a de- faulting sheriff. Young Davis left school to encounter the struggle of life, with no resource save industry and determination to succeed. He first engaged in farming and live-stock dealing, which business he pursued about five years. He then purchased the Union Mills, of Platte County, Missouri, which he operated with such ability and success as to achieve for him the reputation of a first-class mill man. His marked success in the enterprise determined him in the choice of a calling, and he resolved to make milling the business of his life. Appreciating the fact that the Union Mills were inadequate to the accomplishment of his ideas of excellence in the manufacture of flour, he disposed of them, and moving to St. Joseph, purchased of William Ridenbaugh a half interest in the City Mills there. Engaging in partnership with Isaac Van Riley, the mill was soon in successful operation, and the firm of Davis & Riley known for the excellence of the flour they manufactured. In November, 1869, A. Beattie purchased Mr. Riley's interest. In 1873, Mr. Davis bought out Beattie, and since that time has conducted the business alone. During all this time he never lost sight of his aim to produce a quality flour not to be surpassed in the United States, and his unremitting energy finally accomplished this end, overcoming all prejudice and establishing be- yond all questiion the superior character of his flour. In compliment to his successful perseverance and energy, the citizens of Buchanan County presented Mr. Davis with a magnificent gold watch, inscribed with the words: "Presented to R. T. Davis, April 23, 1877, by the citizens of St. Joseph and Buchanan County, Missouri, in appreciation of his fancy brand of flour, St. Joseph No. I, as being the best flour ever sold in St. Joseph, Missouri." At the St. Joseph Exposi- tion of 1879, Mr. Davis was presented by the ladies of St. Joseph with a similar testimonial in the shape of a cane. For the past six years his flour has taken the premium wherever exhibited. In November, 1878, R. T. Davis was elected on the Democratic ticket Collector of Buchanan County. He was re-elected in 1880 by a larger majority than that of any other man on the ticket, thus evincing his efficiency and popular- ity as public officer. February 7, 1859, he was married to Miss Louisa C. Boydston. She died March 6, 1861, leaving one child, a daughter, Mattie E. On June 30, 1863, Mr. Davis married Miss Mary I. Boydston, a sister of his former wife, who still survives, and by whom he has had six children: Emma L., H. Clay, Middleton Randolph, R. T. Jr., Nannie May and Frank B., the youngest. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Penny Harrell ====================================================================