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Below is a family biography included in The History of Darke County, Ohio published by W. H. Beers & Co. in 1880.  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.

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THOMAS J. DAVIS, (deceased); was born in Butler Co., Ohio, July 29, 1834; came to Darke Co. in 1854, and engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, which he continued until 1867, then started a general store at Hollandsburg, which he continued until the time of his decease, which occurred Aug. 6, 1879; the following extract from the obituary written by one who knew him, shows how he was regarded by his neighbors: “Mr. Davis was an active, intelligent, useful citizen, esteemed by all who knew him; was a worthy member of the Masonic Order, and always cherished and sustained all efforts for the support and propagation of that which was good and noble.” He was married to Mary E. Harrison, June 8, 1856; she is a daughter of Harvey Harrison, who was one of the pioneers of German Township, and a successful physician for more than twenty years; they were the parents of three children, viz., Harvey E., Florence J. and Charles C. Harvey E., when about 15 years of age, became deaf, the effect of a severe sickness; he is now a young man and an artist; the way in which he became an artist is remarkable and somewhat romantic; when he first realized that he was permanently deaf, he was nearly beside himself, so great was his grief and mortification, and in his desperation the thought came to his mind that perhaps he could make a picture, and he immediately proceeded to try; with some common paint, procured from a paint shop nearby, a pallet and brush of his own manufacture, a smooth board for a canvass, and a picture of a little girl for a subject, he executed his first portrait; the result so astonished his parents and friends that he was provided with the necessary outfit, and such was his delight at finding he could do something, notwithstanding his deafness, that he threw his entire energy into his efforts, and, although he never had any instruction except such as he could get from books, he now executes a portrait which will compare favorably with productions of regularly instructed artists, and proves him to be a genius in art. Mrs. Davis and her three children still reside at the home provided by the loving and lamented husband and father; she is an intelligent, modest woman.

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This family biography is one of 659 biographies included in The History of Darke County, Ohio published in 1880 by W. H. Beers & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Darke County, Ohio History and Genealogy

View additional Darke County, Ohio family biographies here: Darke County, Ohio Biographies

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