My Genealogy Hound

John D. Davis, farmer. To the many readers of this volume, Mr. Davis is known as one of the prominent agriculturists of Nevada County. Originally from Tennessee, he was born in Jefferson County, July 27, 1816, the second of seven children—four sons and three daughters—born to the union of Andrew and Mary (Orton) Davis, natives of South and North Carolina, respectively. The father a harness-maker by trade and a farmer by occupation, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, serving in the latter part of that contest. He was married in North Carolina, and moved to Jefferson County, Tenn., where our subject was born, and died at that place in his sixtieth year. His widow survived him five years, dying at the age of sixty. They were both members of the Presbyterian Church, but as there was no church of that denomination near them, they worshiped at the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The subject of this sketch was reared and schooled in his native county, remaining at home until he had attained his twentieth year, when he went to Monroe County, Miss., where he was employed as an overseer for eight years. At the end of that time he commenced to farm for himself, remaining in Monroe County, Miss., for several years and then moving to Tippah County. In 1855 he came to Arkansas, locating first in Columbia County, and in 1870 came to this county, locating on the farm he now owns, which then consisted of 160 acres of land, but to which he has since added until he is now the owner of 400 acres of choice land. In 1847 he selected as his companion in life and wedded Miss Margaret Miller, of Tippah County, a native of Georgia, born in 1824, who bore him eight children, all of whom are living, viz.: Lucinda Ann(now Mrs. B. F. Steele, a prominent farmer of this county), J. Melville and Virgie M. (are in partnership in the milling business on the Cotton Belt Railroad, near Magnolia), James W. and Robert W. (are also in partnership in the milling business in this county), Elizabeth (wife of James Loudermilk, a farmer of this county), and Mary (at home). Mr. and Mrs. Davis are worthy members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. Davis was a Jeffersonian Democrat, but now votes an independent ticket. Since coming to this county he has served several terms as justice of the peace, and is one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of the county.