My Genealogy Hound

Joshua Davis. From his earliest youth, Mr. Davis has been familiar with the details of farm work, and since his fifth year has been a resident of Arkansas. He was born in Maury County, Tenn., in the year 1835, being the fourth child born to Joseph and Hannah (Lamb) Davis, the former a native of South Carolina, born in 1812. He was the youngest of his father’s family, and when quite a young man he was left an orphan, and from that time onward was compelled to fight his own way in the world. He started westward, and finally settled in Tennessee, where he was married to Miss Lamb, by whom he became the father of nine children: Emma (deceased), Elizabeth, Thomas, John Abraham, Leonidas, William, all of whom are dead. Those living are: Joshua and Nancy (Mrs. Davis). Joseph Davis was a farmer and a practicing physician, and followed both these occupations throughout his residence in Arkansas, having first come here in 1840, settling in Monroe County. In 1849 he moved to Prairie County, where he purchased 160 acres of land, and later bought eighty acres more, and here made his home until 1882, when he moved to Pulaski County, and here died the following year. He was very fond of the chase, and his desires in this direction were fully satisfied, for on first coming to the State, it was a splendid hunting region. Politically he was a Democrat, and for many years he had been an earnest member of the Missionary Baptist Church. His wife, who was an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, died in Prairie County, Ark., in 1852. Joshua Davis was married in 1860 to Miss Emma Knowls, her people having been residents of Ohio. His wife died five days after her son Scott was born, and in 1866 Mr. Davis wedded Mrs. Sarah M. (Hendrix) Sparks, widow of S. M. Sparks, and by her has had the following children: William H. (deceased), Priscilla (Mrs. Davis), Lucretia (Mrs. Sales), Leonidas and Elmira. In 1861 Mr. Davis enlisted in Capt. Garrett’s company, Fifth Arkansas Regiment, and after serving until 1862, was discharged on account of ill health. Upon recovering, he enlisted in the Second Arkansas Cavalry, and in 1863 received a severe wound in the head at Big Shanty, Ga. He was also at Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta, Franklin and Nashville. Since his return home, he has given his time to agricultural pursuits, and now has a fine farm of 320 acres, with 120 under cultivation. Like his father he is fond of hunting, and in his political views is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Primitive Baptist Church.