In the fall of 1856 our subject came to this county and settled in Milbrook township, on the southeast quarter of section 28, which his father had previously purchased, and here he was actively engaged in its improvement until death called him from his labors. He located on it permanently in 1859, and in the years that followed placed it under admirable tillage, and erected neat and substantial buildings, transforming it from a tract of wild prairie to one of the best cultivated farms in all the region.

Mr. Davis was married December 23, 1858, to Miss Amanda V. Reed, who was, like himself, a native of West Virginia, Marshall County the place of her birth, February 6, 1840, the date thereof. Her parents were John and Louisa (Caldwell) Reed, the former a native of the North of Ireland, of Scotch-Irish descent, and the latter a native of West Virginia. Her father was brought to America when he was but one year old by his parents, who settled in West Virginia among its early pioneers. They came to this county from there in 1853, and located near Brimfield, where the father died a few months later in the same year. His wife survived him until July 7, 1861, when she too passed away. They had a large family of children, of whom Mrs. Davis is the youngest child. By her union with our subject she became the mother of seven children, of whom the following is recorded: Albert W. is in Canada; John R. is deceased; Minnie is the wife of C. A. Snyder, of Elmwood; Arthur, Charles C.; Everett W. and Freddie M. are at home with their mother. Mrs. Davis is living in the attractive home that she assisted her husband in making, and here, surrounded by her children, she is passing life quietly and pleasantly, in the enjoyment of an assured income from her well-managed farm. She occupies a prominent place in the social circles of the community, and is actively identified with the Presbyterian Church, and takes a great interest in the church work. Our subject left his heirs comfortably well off, the homestead comprising a valuable estate of one hundred and fifty-eight acres of exceptionally fertile land.

The life of our subject was rounded out May 17, 1876, and he left behind him an unblemished record, of which his friends may well feel proud. He was one of the sterling pioneers of the county, and his memory is cherished in this township, the scene of his labors, as one of the early settlers who had the making of it and have now passed to their final rest. He was earnest and zealous in giving his support to all things that tended in any way to elevate society, and was ever to be found on the side of right in any important issue before the public. Politically, he was a follower of the Republican party, and none had greater faith in it or gave it more active support. A man of high moral character and excellent principles, his was truly a religious nature, and in him the Presbyterian Church found one of its firmest and most active members.

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