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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Crittenden County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Samuel K. Davis has for some time been occupied as a planter and merchant of Bartonville. A native of Maryland, he was born in Hartford County in 1842, being the son of Philip and Louisa B. (King) Davis, both also of Maryland nativity. They moved to Vermilion County, Ill., in 1854, and remained till 1867, when they went to Missouri, locating in Barry County. Four years later Kingman, Kas., became their home, where the mother still lives. The father was born in 1811 and died in 1888; the mother was born in 1821. She is a good Christian lady and takes an active part in church and Sunday-school matters; she is a member of the Baptist Church and is superintendent of a Sunday-school. Mr. Davis was a member of the I. O. O. F. for many years before his death; was a Democrat in politics, and manifested a great interest in school matters and anything that would promote the welfare of the public. Himself and wife were the parents of ten children, of whom two died before leaving Maryland; one from a fall and one by drowning. The others lived to be grown and six are still living. Samuel K. Davis, the second born, attained his majority in Illinois, and moved to Memphis in 1862, entering the service of the Adams Express Company and remaining with them four years. He then commenced farming in Phillips County, Ark. (now Lee County), and in company with his brother Reece he tilled about 1,000 acres till 1874, and in 1875 he commenced merchandising. He was married in February, 1874, to Miss Augusta Holt, a native of Tennessee. Mr. Davis was engaged in merchandising at Phillips Bayou for several years, when he moved to Hot Springs, Ark., the year of the big fire at that place, and bought out Mr. King’s interest in the firm of Gordon & King. The trade was made on Thursday and on Monday the establishment was in ashes. The morning after the fire his possessions consisted of but $6.15 upon which to again commence. His wife owned a house and lot, however, so he worked and sold goods for about six years, when he came to Crittenden County and started a store at Needmore, where he remained in business till he moved to Bartonville. He is now running a store with good success and a farm of 400 acres. Upon moving to this county from Hot Springs he had $800 and now owns a fine farm well equipped. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are the parents of two daughters and three sons: Fannie K., Florence Lee, Samuel K., and Claudie W. and Clarence W. (twins); one child is deceased, Effie May. Mrs. Davis is an active member of the Baptist Church, and her husband is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of which he has held several offices. He is a Democrat in politics, but takes little part in any party movement, giving his whole attention to his store and farm. Mr. Davis has been very successful in business and is a man of enterprise and decided business ability.

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This family biography is one of 82 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Crittenden County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Crittenden County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Crittenden County, Arkansas family biographies here: Crittenden County, Arkansas Biographies

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