My Genealogy Hound

Dr. John M. Davis, druggist, of Paragould, and son of Dr. James S. and Nancy E. (Farmer) Davis, was born in Limestone County, Ala., December 31, 1840. His parents were both natives of Alabama, and removed to Marshall County, Miss., in 1844, going in 1850 to Salem, that State, and thence to Iuka, where the father died. Dr. James S. Davis was a graduate of Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, and was also a graduate of the Louisville Medical College. He was a very prominent physician and noted surgeon, and people came from a great distance for his treatment. He practiced from 1844 to 1879, a period of about thirty-five years. He was one of the members of the secession convention of Mississippi, and signed the declaration of independence for that purpose. He was a surgeon in the late war and in command of a company a portion of the time. His wife is still living, and is a resident of Iuka, Miss. They were the parents of ten children, five now living, of whom Dr. John M. Davis is the eldest. He was principally reared and educated in Mississippi, and at the age of sixteen began the study of medicine with the intention of later following that profession, but about this time the war broke out which prevented him from further pursuing his studies. He shouldered his musket, marched to the front and enlisted in the Tenth Alabama Cavalry Regiment, serving over three years. He was ensign of his regiment, with the rank of first lieutenant, and was in all the principal engagements — Shiloh, Atlanta, Days Gap, etc. His whole service was in the cavalry. At Pulaski, during Hood’s advance on Franklin, Mr. Davis received a severe gunshot wound, the ball passing through his body at the side of the abdomen. He had the honor of carrying home the captured Federal flag and also his own flag. At the close of the war he returned to Mississippi, and engaged in merchandising, which he conducted for four years. After this he went to the Lone Star State, resuming the mercantile business at Tyler and Fort Worth, where he remained until 1880, then returning to Mississippi. One year later, he came to Paragould where he embarked in the drug business, which he still continues. He was one of the first business men of Paragould, and is the oldest druggist in point of residence in Greene County. He carries a general line of drugs, etc. He was married, April 3, 1861, to Miss Altie E. Robbins, a native of Alabama, and the fruits of this union were nine children, seven now living: Nannie A., wife of P. W. Mass, editor of the Thayer (Mo.) Tribune; William S., Maggie, Russell J., Hattie A., Thomas B. and Sallie B. Dr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is superintendent of the Sunday-school. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the I. O. O. F., and is also a member of the K. of H., being treasurer of that organization. He is city treasurer, and treasurer of the Building and Loan Association.