Dallas Co., TX - Bios: John Wesley Davis ***************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by: Robert Bennett USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ***************************************************** John Wesley Davis (23 Dec 1825 - 18 Aug 1903) Biography on pages 955-956 in Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas County, Texas (Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1892, ) Transcribed on 26 Mar 2005 by Robert Bennett JOHN W. DAVIS, of Garland, was born in Harrison County, Virginia, December 23, 1825, a son of Hanson C. Davis, who was born in the same county, May 21, .1802. His ancestors came from Wales to this county under Lord Delaware, and settled in the State of Delaware, between the settlements of Virginia and New York. Mr. Davis was married in Indiana, in 1835, to Sallie Paris, who was born in 1800, and they remained in that State until 1847, when they came to Texas, arriving in Dallas county the last day of 1847. He came with the Peters' Colony,- and all that arrived in Texas in 1847 had a right to claim 640 acres, and this colony soon availed themselves of this right. Mr. and Mrs. Davis were the parents of nine children: Benjamin F.; Deuressa A., wife of James Jackson; Pollie E., formerly Mrs. Jacob Miller, died in Indiana, leaving eleven children, who now reside in Tippecanoe County, Indiana; Maria N., wife of John Little; Sallie A., wife of John C. Tucker, and both were deceased in this county, leaving ten children: Nancy C., who died before marriage; James M., also deceased; Mary, wife of Samuel Whittock. When John W. Davis was in his twenty-second-year he concluded to go to South, and in the spring of 1847,; started for Texas to prepare for the family of his father. The first day the father hauled him thirty miles in a carryall, after which he left him to tramp the way the best he could. Mr. Davis walked to the Illinois River, where he took passage on a boat to the Mississippi River, then to the Red River, next tip the Red River to Shreveport, where, in company with another young raga, they commenced the dangerous journey of 250 miles to Dallas County. The houses were from thirty to forty miles apart and they prepared themselves with provisions and camped out over night. After landing in this county Mr. Davis filed a claim for 320 acres of land, which he subsequently unproved and sold, and later bought 200 acres where he now lives. He now owns 700 acres of fine black loam in the cotton belt of Texas, where he is an extensive cotton raiser. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in Colonel Hawpe's regiment, and remained until the close of the war, after which he returned home with what was left of his regiment, there being about one-third of the original number. He was first detailed as forage master, and served in that capacity during the entire term of enlistment, and was also in the battles of Prairie Grove, Carrion Crow, Mansfield, and many skirmishes. Mr. Davis was never wounded or taken prisoner, and received his discharge from he Confederate States army. Mr. Davis was married June 25, 1855, to Miss Jennette Cheuanlt, who was born in 1839, the daughter of Jesley Chenault, a native of Indiana. The father came to Texas in 1845, when Mrs. Davis was but six years old, and she well remembers the hardships the family endured in the early days of this Suite. They were obliged to live on what they could kill, their nearest market being 250 miles distant, and even there they could not buy bread-stuff at any price. Mr. Chenault married Elizabeth Hatfield, and they reared thirteen children, namely: Angela, wife of John Tucker; Jennette, wife of John W. Davis; John, who died leaving six children: Lucy, wife of H. Beckner; Ellen, wife of William Ryne; A. G.; Jacob; Sarah, who died before marriage; Elizabeth, wife of W. Hardicut; Tansey, wife of George Tucker; and Wesley. Mr. Chenault was married the second time, to Lucy Sage, and they had two children, - James and Elizabeth, wife of Joe Bickney. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are the parents of fourteen children, only nine of whom survive: Elizabeth C., wife of T. N. Wallace; Mary C., wife of Thomas Brandenburg; Benjamin F. married Mrs. Ellen Balers; Martha 0. is the wife of A. E. Dewing; D. J., C. B., Daniel D. and Anna P. Mrs. Davis is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Davis is a member of the Royal Arch Masons, Scyene Lodge, No. 295, and also of the I 0. 0. F., Richards Lodge.