OBIT: Samuel J. DAVIS, 1941, Saint Paul, Elk Lick Township, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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SAMUEL J. DAVIS

  Samuel J. Davis, born in Summit Township, Somerset County, Pa., June 20, 1867, 
died in the village of St. Paul, Elk Lick Township, August 14, 1941, aged 74 
years, 1 month and 24 days.  His death was caused by pernielous anemia, 
complicated by other ailments and hastened by a fall which resulted in a broken 
hip about three months ago.  He was at no time able to walk after breaking his 
hip, and from that time forward he was confined to bed nearly all the time, and 
also for some time in a hospital.
  He was the eldest son (save the first born who died in his infancy) of John N. 
and Diana (Schrock) Davis, and lived the greater portion of his life in Elk Lick 
Township, on what was for many years known as the Joseph Christner farm, near 
the headwaters of Tub Mill Run.  His father also lived on the same farm for many 
years, and was partly reared on it, and for many years was its owner and 
operator, as was also his son Samuel, who sold it, and retired from farming last 
autumn, owing to advancing age and failing health.
  Samuel J. Davis grew to manhood in the township where he was born, and was 
twice married, first to Ellen Kretchman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis 
Kretchman, who died within a year after her marriage.  On Sept. 3, 1899, Mr. 
Davis was united in marriage with Carolyn Alice Hollada, daughter of Zenas and 
Ellen Keefer Hollada.  To their union were born six children, namely: Galen Ray 
Davis and Wilma, wife of Fay Oester, both of Somerset; Ralph J. Davis, Margaret, 
wife of Lester C. Barnett, and Miss Erla Davis, all of Canton, Ohio, and Stewart 
Davis of Salisbury.
  The children, their mother, and one grandchild, Erla, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
Fay Oester, all survive, as do also two sisters and four brothers, namely, Mrs. 
Annie Davis Klink of Summit Mills; Sidney, wife of Herbert Engle, of Canton, 
Ohio; William J. of Somerset; P. Sherman, Edward and James of Springs.  He was 
preceded in death by two sisters, Nancy Davis Shrader and Mary Davis Tressler, 
also by one brother and two sisters who succumbed to infantile epidemics in 
early childhood.
  Funeral services were held in the Springs Mennonite Church, Saturday, at 2:30 
p.m., following a short service held at the Davis home in St. Paul.  The 
services at the church were conducted by Rev. A. Jay Replegle, pastor of the 
Church of the Brethren at Salisbury, assisted by Rev. A. J. Forry, pastor of the 
St. Paul Reformed Church, and Rev. Roy D. Otto of the Springs Mennonite Church.  
The funeral was attended by a large concourse of sorrowing relatives and 
friends.
  Interment was in the Upper Springs Cemetery, under the direction of Mortician 
Stanley M. Thomas of Salisbury.
  Mr. Davis was a faithful and consistent member of the Church of the Brethren 
ever since the days of his youth.  For many years he was a member of the Maple 
Glen congregation; but during his last 13 years he was affiliated with the 
Salisbury congregation, serving as deacon and trustee in both of those 
congregations during the last 35 years of his life.  In addition to being a 
faithful and consistent member of his church, he was a good neighbor, a kind and 
loving father and husband, and a sterling, upright citizen.
  The writer of these lines (P. L. Livengood) had business dealings with Mr. 
Davis regularly for more than ten years, and can truly say that he never dealt 
with a more honorable man, or one that stuck closer to the Golden Rule. In the 
passing of Mr. Davis the writer feels that he has lost a noble and exemplary 
friend; one whose life has not been lived in vain.  Peace to his ashes, 
happiness to his immortal soul!

Meyersdale Republican, August 21, 1941