My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Camden County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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.

* * * *

S. J. Davis, blacksmith at Linn Creek, was born in St. Francois County, Mo., October 28, 1832, and is the son of Severe and Sarah (Parrick) Davis, natives of Kentucky and North Carolina, respectively. The father immigrated with his family to St. Francois County, Mo., at an early day, and there died. He was a successful farmer. In about 1844 the widow and family immigrated to Camden County, and located on the Little Niangua River. There were plenty of Indian camps, and the place was very wild. The mother was afterward married to Benjamin Shumate, and they moved to Laclede County, Mo., where she died. Of the six children born to her first marriage S. J. Davis is the only one now living. He was about twelve years of age when he came to this county, and here he was reared on the farm. At the age of seventeen he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith trade, which he learned at Buffalo, remaining about six years. In 1849 he came to Camden County, and located at Mack’s Creek, where he carried on the business for himself. In 1861 he came to Linn Creek, where he has since conducted the business alone. He is also an undertaker, and manufactures coffins and furniture. In 1861 he enlisted in the State Militia, and for about three years was company blacksmith. He was married in 1847 to Miss Mary Sharp, by whom he has one child, deceased. His second marriage was in 1854, to Miss Margaret Johnson, who bore him two children, one living, Cornelia. His third marriage was to Miss Catherine Johnson, by whom he had four children, one living, John W. His present wife is Miss Elizabeth Skinner, by whom he has four children: Sarah, Belle, Mattie and Tea. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the I. O. O. F. and Agricultural Wheel. He has held the office of justice of the peace for some four years.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 46 biographies included in The History of Camden County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Camden County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Camden County, Missouri family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.