My Genealogy Hound

Henry R. Davis, stock-dealer and a prominent farmer of Lamar Township, was born in Estill County, Ky., March 14, 1826, and is the fourth of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, all of whom lived to be grown, born to the union of Martin W. and Nancy (Ricketts) Davis. Henry R. Davis was reared to farm life, and received limited educational advantages, never attending school over ten days after he was thirteen years of age. He remained at home until twenty-six years old, and December 2, 1852, he married Miss Martha A. McKissick, a native of Clay County, Mo., who bore him four children: John M. C., Ella J., Maggie B. and Lillie M. In December, 1861, he enlisted in Daniel Stout’s Company, State Troops, and served until the close of the war, being on detailed service nearly all the time. When the war closed, he was on Gen. McCullough’s staff, and he then returned to Clay County, where he followed farming and dealt in stock until 1882, when he removed to Lamar, where he has made his home since. His wife died July 14, 1887, and August 9, 1888, he married Mrs. Mary J. Jones nee Edwards, a native of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he has been an elder in the same since 1872, and is also now treasurer and trustee. He is the owner of 200 acres of land, and three houses and lots in town. Politically, he was formerly a Whig, but is now a Democrat. He started in life with limited means, and he now handles a great deal of stock, and is one of the substantial farmers of the county. His father and mother were born in Kentucky, in 1795, and 1799, respectively. The father served in the War of 1812, was a farmer, and followed this occupation in his native State until 1839. He then moved to Clay County, Mo., where he died at the age of ninety-two. The mother lived to be seventy-five years of age, and then died from the effects of a fall. Both were members of the Christian Church. The father was a Whig until the downfall of that party, since which time he has been a Democrat.