My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS T. DAVIS. In business circles in Yates Center the name of Thomas T. Davis is a familiar one, for through fifteen years he has been proprietor of a meat market here and is accounted one of the reliable merchants of the place. He was born in Wales, July 20, 1862, and when three years of age was brought to America by his father, who with his family left Wales for the new world and took up his abode in Braidwood, Will County, Ill., where he yet makes his home. He is a coal miner by occupation. He married Ann Gwynn, and unto them were born the following named: Thomas T.; Mary A.; Margaret, of Braidwood, Ill., Mary A., wife of Thomas Hufford, of Holdridge, Nebraska; Elizabeth and William, of Braidwood.

Mr. Davis, of this sketch was reared in his parents’ home in Braidwood and attended the public schools there, acquiring a good common school education that well fitted him for the practical duties of business life. When about fourteen years of age he began earning his own living as a farm hand, being thus employed until eighteen years of age when he began working in a meat market in Braidwood. His first independent venture was the opening of his market in Yates Center. He came here in August, 1886 and purchased the meat market belonging to G. W. Stewart and once the property of the firm of Taylor & Stewart. Since that time he has carried on business with ever increasing success. He at first had but limited capital, but his trade constantly grew and his earnest desire to please, his courteous treatment, his reasonable prices and his honorable dealing have secured to him a continuance of the liberal patronage which was soon accorded him.

Mr. Davis was married in Yates Center, November 29, 1889 to Miss Hester, daughter of Enoch McB. Newcom, of Garden City, Kas., but formerly of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Davis now have two living children, William T. and Leoti. In his political views he is a stalwart Republican, having been reared in that faith by his father, who warmly espoused the party. Mr. Davis has served as a member of the city council of Yates Center and made a commendable record as a city official. Socially he is identified with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and is now past chancellor of Yates Center lodge. As a business man, citizen and public officer he takes high rank. He is a man of pleasing personality, sympathetic and helpful, and his friends are many and steadfast.