CHARLES E. DAVIS. —We now direct attention to the life history of one who has held conspicuous position at the head of one of the most important and unique manufacturing industries of Marysville, Union county, Ohio, —the product of said manufactory being the practical expansion of an invention of his own, —a man whose influence in the musical world has been marked and whose talent in that line is of high order.
     A native of the Buckeye State, Charles E. Davis was born on the paternal farmstead in Franklin county, September 19, 1852, the son of Charles and Catherine Davis, both of whom date their nativity in Franklin county and both of whom are of Welsh extraction. Our subject grew up on the farm and attended the district schools until he had attained the age of sixteen years, when he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, where he continued his studies for two years, after which he matriculated in the Baxter University in New York city, and there remained for another two years. He then returned to Ohio and for two years gave his attention to teaching in district schools, after which he once more gave himself to subjective educational work, entering Oberlin College, at Oberlin, Ohio, where he continued his study for six years, devoting the final two years almost entirely to the study of music, for which he had marked native talent and appreciation. In connection with his musical work he also carried along a line of special study in a literary way.
     Leaving Oberlin in 1879, Mr. Davis went to Columbus, this State, and was there engaged for three years in teaching both vocal and instrumental music, proving a most efficient instructor and putting to practical test the thoroughness of his knowledge in both theoretical and executive music. He then married and continued to teach in a private way until 1888, when he accpeted [sic] a position as instructor in the musical department of Otterbein University, at Westerville, Ohio, where he remained until 1890. The succeeding two years Mr. and Mrs. Davis passed in that great art center, Boston, Massachusetts, where they took a special course in music. Within this time Mr. Davis conceived the idea of the piano chair, which he subsequently perfected, and patented. In 1892 Mr. Davis came to Marysville and, enlisting local capital in his enterprise, effected the organization of the Davis Chair Company, which at once secured the necessary mechanical equipment and began manufacturing his invention. The products of the factory were soon placed on the market, and such was the manifest superiority of the Davis chair that its introduction into all sections of the Union was most rapid. It would be incongruous in this connection to enter into details concerning our subject’s invention, but we may state briefly the fact that the various styles of chairs manufactured have a spring back whose adjustment is automatic, proving a boon to those who give attention to practice on the piano, as well as those who use the sewing machine, typewriter, or are otherwise employed at any work which requires long sitting in one position. There have been many devices in the line of piano chairs, but this is conceded to be the only one that approaches perfection when a practical test is applied.
     Mr. Davis was married in Pittsburg [sic], Pennsylvania, in March, 1883, to Miss Minnie Castle, daughter of Dr. A. B. Castle, who is now a resident of Columbus, this State. Mrs. Davis has given her attention to music since she was a child of thirteen years, and is a most skillful pianist and vocalist, possessing a finely trained contralto voice of excellent timbre. She was engaged in teaching music for a number of years, and after her marriage was also connected with the musical department of Otterbein University, in company with Mr. Davis.
     It was but natural that our subject and his wife should have at once taken a leading position in the social and musical circles of Marysville, and in the latter their influence and enthusiasm did much to advance local musical interests. They were prominently identified with the Married People’s Musical Society, an association representative of much talent. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have one child, Miriam. In politics Mr. Davis is a stanch Republican.
     In August, 1894, Mr. Davis disposed of his working interest in the Davis Chair Company, and with his family removed to Boston, where they now reside, devoting their attention entirely to music, in which line their success is assured, while from such work they will derive the maximum of satisfaction and pleasure, surrounded by the best musical atmosphere that our country affords.
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 403-404
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

JOSEPH H. DAVIS. —One of the substantial and well-known agriculturists of Union township, Union county, is he whose name initiates this paragraph, and his identification with the annals of the Buckeye State has been one of ancestral order, as well as that of the individual from the time of his nativity. Mr. Davis was born in Knox county, Ohio, township of Clinton, on the 22d of February, 1834. His father, Joseph by name, was a native of Virginia, and was of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, the son of George Davis, who was the son of Michael, the original member of the family in the old Keystone State.
     Joseph Davis was a boy when his parents removed to Pennsylvania, their ancestral State, and he had attained the age of only fifteen when his father came to the wilds of central Ohio and took up his residence in Knox county, whose official center, Mount Vernon, was represented at that time by three primitive log cabins. He grew up in this pioneer locality, and contributed his quota to clearing land, rolling logs, and hunting the wild game, which abounded in this section. He finally attained maturity, and in time assumed family responsibilities and honors by being united in marriage to Miss Lydia Shenaberry, who was a native of Pennsylvania.
     The family came to Union township, this county, in 1854, and took up their abode on the farm now occupied by our subject’s brother, W. S. Davis, concerning whom individual mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Here the parents passed the remainder of their lives, the mother passing away at the age of eighty-five years, while the father attained the remarkable longevity represented by ninety-eight years. In politics Joseph Davis was a Democrat of the true Jeffersonian type. He was a man of intelligence and inflexible honor, and in physique was conspicuous, standing six feet and two inches in height, and possessing great strength and endurance.
     Joseph and Lydia Davis became the parents of twelve children, by name as follows: Polly, Michael, Nancy, Margaret, Elizabeth, Joseph H., W. Shannon, Catherine; and William, George, and Lydia, who are deceased, as is also one infant unnamed.
     Joseph H. Davis, the immediate subject of this review, was reared on the old pioneer homestead, and early became familiar with the work of swinging the ax, clearing the land from trees and debris and ultimately assisting in its tilling. In the unpretentious log school-house of the period he conned his lessons and laid the foundation for the large fund of practical knowledge which he subsequently gained in his assocciation [sic] with the affairs of life. He first came to this county in 1854, in company with his father, being twenty years of age at the time. When he had reached the age of twenty-three years he married, and in the year following this important event in his life he took up his abode on his present farm, occupying a log house for a time and then erecting a substantial frame structure. His farm comprises 172 acres and is well improved and under a most perfect system of cultivation. The attractive residence and well-kept outbuildings all attest the enterprise and industry brought to bear by the owner of the fine farmstead.
     As already stated, Mr. Davis was married at the age of twenty-three years, and she whom he chose to share his lot in life and who proved all that a devoted and helpful companion could be, was Miss Mary Whelpley, who was reared and educated in this county. Her brother, the late Abraham Whelpley, of this township, was a participant in the late war of the Rebellion.
     Our subject and wife became the parents of four children, of whom we offer the following brief record: Mary Lydia is the wife of John Peavers; Clara Belle is at home; Mattie Roselia; and Ada Myrtle, wife of James Burns, of Delaware county, Ohio. Three children died in early childhood.
     The great and irreparable loss of Mr. Davis’ life was that which he was called upon to bear July 19, 1889, when his beloved wife, who had been his comforter in hours of trouble and depression, his loving, trusting and devoted companion, was summoned to the life eternal. Hers had been a life beautiful in its grace and sympathetic kindliness and her death was mourned not alone by the afflicted members of the desolated home but by all who had known and appreciated her lovely character. She was a consistent and zealous adherent of the Christian Church and ever typified her faith in her works.
     In politics Mr. Davis is of the same faith as his father. In the community he is honored as an honorable man and a good citizen.
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 484-485
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

JOSEPH DAVIS, JR. —That honored resident of Union township, Union county, Ohio, whose life history now comes under review, is of ancestry tracing its lineage back to the Old Dominion, and of a family whose men have been loyal and valorous, having served their nation faithfully in time when war has reared its horrid front, he himself having left a military record which has added new honors to the name.
     He was born in this county December 3, 1837, his father, Michael Davis, having been born in Virginia, December 24, 1788, a son of George, who was a son of Michael, the original American ancestor. The father of our subject, Michael Davis, came to Knox county, Ohio, when he was a young man, and here he was later united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Shinaberry, who was born in Pennsylvania, October 18, 1798. They came to Union county in 1822, and at once took up their residence on what was known as Buck Run, in Union township, where they cleared up a tract of wild land and there passed the residue of their days. The father participated in the war of 1812, and was an honorable and loyal citizen. In politics he was originally a Whig, but united with the Republican party at the time of its organization. He died at the age of eighty-four years, and his widow lived to attain the venerable age of ninety-two years, her death occurring April 21, 1890; she was a worthy and zealous member of the Presbyterian church.
     Michael and Elizabeth Davis were the parents of eight children, namely: Catherine, William, Alexander, Mary, George W., Harrison, Nancy, and Joseph, the immediate subject of this sketch. Harrison Davis was one of the brave boys who went forth in defense of the Union at the time of the late war, and his life was sacrificed to the cause. He volunteered in Champaign county, in 1861, as a member of Company H, Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served for four years. He went out as a private and arose by successive promotions to the full rank of First Lieutenant. He was killed at Missionary Ridge, and his remains were brought back to his old home for interment, his remains being laid to rest in the same county from which he went forth so bravely as a volunteer soldier.
     Joseph Davis, Jr., was reared on the old homestead farm and did his share of the arduous work, assisting in felling the forests and in the work of cultivating the fields for which they made place. His education was confined to the district schools, but in the practical experiences of life his information has broadened out, giving him an intellectual grasp more potent than that which can be claimed by many a man to whom has been given the privilege of acquiring what is known as a higher education.
     In 1864 our subject enlisted as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served in the vicinity of Alexandria, Virginia, for a period of four months, after which he received an honorable discharge and returned to his home in this county, where he has ever since remained. He has 115 acres of excellent land, which has been brought to a high state of productiveness under his careful and effective management, and which shows excellent improvement in the way of buildings.
     The marriage of Mr. Davis was celebrated August 24 of the centennial year, when he wedded Miss Rozalia DeHaven, who was born in Knox county, this State, the daughter of James and Elizabeth De-Haven, both of whom were natives of Knox county, Ohio, but who took up their residence in this county many years ago. The mother died July 16, 1888, at the age of fifty-seven years. They had four children: Rozalia, wife of our subject; Joseph S., deceased; Michael, and William Shannon.
     Mr. and Mrs. Davis have five children, namely: Etta E., Lotta May, Bessie Ora, William B., and Joseph, Jr.
     In his political adherency our subject is a Republican, and fraternally he is identified with Silas Kimball Post, No. 570, G. A. R., of Milford Center.
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 112-113
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Mrs. Michael Davis

MICHAEL DAVIS is one of the prominent and honored pioneer residents of Union township, Union county, and there is a signal consistency in giving space to a resume of his life history in this connection. Mr. Davis is a native of the Buckeye State, with whose history that of his family has been identified from the early pioneer days, when were taken the inceptive steps in its reclamation from the sylvan wilds. He was born in Clinton township, Knox county, September 26, 1821, the son of Joseph Davis, who was one of the representative men and pioneer residents of this county. He was born in the Old Dominion State, the son of George Davis, who was the son of Michael. Joseph passed his childhood days in Pennsylvania, and was only fifteen years of age when his father came to Ohio and established his pioneer home in the forests of Knox county. At that time the present thriving city which is the county seat, Mount Vernon, was an unpretentious hamlet, represented by three primitive log cabins. The Davis family is of Pennsylvania Dutch extraction, and the paternal grandmother of our subject was of Scotch descent, her place of nativity having been the city of Philadelphia. One of the sons of George Davis was an active participant in the war of 1812.
     Joseph Davis was married, in Knox county, to Miss Lydia Shenaberry, who was born in Pennsylvania. They became the parents of thirteen children, namely: Polly, Michael, Margaret, Joseph, George, Nancy, Elizabeth, W. Shannon, Catherine, William (deceased), George (the second, deceased), and two who died in infancy.
      The father of our subject came to Union county in 1854 and purchased 196 acres of the rich bottom lands along the Big Darby creek, the place having a substantial brick house, which was a somewhat extraordinary improvement in this section at that period. Here he lived to attain a remarkably green old age, dying at the age of ninety-seven years and eleven months, having been, at the time of his demise, the oldest man in the county and one of the oldest in the State, —a veritable patriarch. He was a farmer all his life, and was a noble specimen of the sturdy husbandman, possessing a vigorous and alert mentality, and standing six feet and two inches in height, with strong and robust physique. Politically he was a strong Democrat of the old-line type, and religiously he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife died at the age of eighty-six years, having been a member of the Christian Church.
     Michael Davis, the immediate subject of this review, was reared to farm work in Knox county, and became notable for his prowess in the accomplishment of the various duties of the farm. He was able, as a young man, to chop a cord of wood in an hour, and made a record by cutting, with a cradle, eight and one-half acres of grain in a day. In these lines he was the acknowledged champion of the county, and his feats of endurance and strength would cause the average young man of this period to gaze in perfect wonder. He came to Union county with his parents in 1854, and for a number of years assisted in the cultivation of the paternal homestead. In 1856 he purchased his present place and located thereon, the farm comprising 133⅔, acres, and being conceded to be one of the finest in the township. The soil is particularly fertile and yields bountiful harvests in the various lines of production to which it is devoted. The permanent improvements include a good frame house and large barns, with all essential equipments in the way of minor outbuildings. The farm is thoroughly well cultivated, and is kept in perfect order in all portions.
     At the age of twenty-two years, —more than an half century ago, —he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Crottinger, who was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1822, the daughter of Henry and Sarah (Beckenbaugh) Crottinger, natives respectively of Maryland and Pennsylvania. They came to Licking county, Ohio, in 1827, and there passed the remainder of their lives, the father dying at the age of seventy-seven, and the mother at eighty-eight. Mrs. Davis was but five years of age when her parents came to Ohio. They had ten children: Mary, Christina, Susan, Jacob, Abraham, Jackson, Sarah, Catherine, James, and George. The last two named died in early childhood. The father was a Democrat, and religiously was a zealous member of the Christian Church.
     Mr. and Mrs. Davis have had no children but have reared two, whom they adopted informally: H. C. Ferguson is now deceased, and the other child, Sada, is now the wife of Alfred Paver, residing on the Davis farm. They are the parents of five children, namely: Blanche, May, Ira, Howard, and Edna Zion.
     In his political faith our subject advocates the same principles as did his honored father, being an uncompromising Democrat. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the Christian Church. Mr. Davis inherits the physical strength of a sturdy ancestry, and is vigorous and erect. In manners he is genial and affable, and in character is above reproach. He is held in the highest esteem in the community, and is one of the most popular pioneer residents of the section.
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 177-179
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

W. SHANNON DAVIS, who is recognized as one of the most prosperous and representative agriculturists of Union county, has his postoffice address at Milford Center, and his abiding place is the old homestead in Union township, where his honored parents located as early as 1854, the place being known as the McDonald farm. He is a native son of the Buckeye State, having been born in Clinton township, Knox county, August 6, 1839.
     The father of our subject was Joseph Davis, who was born in the Old Dominion State, the son of George Davis, who was the son of Michael, who was of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. Joseph was a mere lad when his parents removed to Pennsylvania, and was but fifteen years of age when they again sought a new home and a fresh field of endeavor in Knox county, this State, where they took up their abode in a primitive log house located in the woods. On this pioneer farm, to whose reclamation and cultivation he lent effective aid, he grew up and eventually assumed a personal responsibility and dignity by leading to the hymeneal altar Miss Lydia Shenaberry, who was born in Pennsylvania. They continued their residence in Clinton township, Knox county, until 1854, when they came to Union county and established themselves upon the farm now occupied by our subject.
     They became the parents of twelve children, namely: Mary, Michael, Nancy, Margaret, Elizabeth, Joseph, George, W. Shannon, Lydia Ann, deceased; Catherine, William, deceased; George (second), deceased, —the last three being deceased and one child having died in infancy. The mother died at the venerable age of eighty-five years, and the father lived to attain the remarkable age of ninety-eight years, being the oldest man in the county at the time of his death. It is interesting to note that they had forty-seven grandchildren, thirty-four great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Joseph Davis was a man of strong and athletic physique, standing six feet and two inches in height, and possessing great strength and endurance, —a constitution which conserved his phenomenal longevity. He was an honorable and industrious man, possessed of marked intelligence and ability, and became one of the prominent citizens of the county, where he was respected by all who knew him. He was a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, and religiously was a member of the Presbyterian Church, his wife having been identified with the Christian denomination.
     Our subject, W. Shannon Davis, was reared to farm work, and received his theoretical education in the district schools. The paternal homestead, which came into his possession in 1894, by the purchasing of the interests of the other heirs, is recognized as one of the best farms in Union county, being situated one and one-half miles northwest of Milford Center. The landed estate of our subject now comprises 360 acres, and all is under a most approved system of cultivation, yielding extensive crops and proving an excellent place for the raising of all kinds of live stock. The permanent improvements are exceptional in character and extent, the family residence being a substantial and commodious brick structure of modern and attractive architectural design, having fourteen spacious rooms, inviting verandas, cupola, fine landscape windows, etc., and standing as one of the most elegant homes in the county. The house is most eligibly located as to site, and can not fail to attract the admiring attention of passers-by. A barn 60x80 feet in dimensions, a granary 25x50 feet, and other substantial outbuildings add to the equipment of the magnificent farmstead. Mr. Davis has a fine orchard of sugar maples, the same comprising fully 1,000 trees.
     Mr. Davis was united in marriage December 22, 1864, to Miss Caroline L. Ewalt, a lady of much intelligence and refinement. She was born in Knox county, March 4, 1844, the daughter of Richard D. and Phoebe (Douglass) Ewalt, who were natives respectively of Bedford, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The latter was the daughter of Captain William Douglass, an officer in the Revolutionary war. He built the first flouring mill in Knox county, Ohio, and established the first banking institution. Captain Douglass also built the first distillery in Knox county, was recognized as the wealthiest man in this section, and his residence was the finest the county could boast in the early days. Richard D. Ewalt died at the age of sixty-three years, and his widow at the age of seventy-three. They were the parents of twelve children, namely: Camilla, Sarah, William, Simon, Catherine, Sophia, Rebecca, Henry, Emily, John, Caroline, one died in infancy. The father was a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The son John was a soldier in the late war, serving three years, and is now a resident of Jay county, Indiana.
     W. S. Davis and wife are the parents of five children, of whom we offer the following brief record: Charles V. married Nancy B. Dines and has one son, Raymond; Lydia A. is the wife of Aaron Gabriel and has one daughter, Nellie D.; and Joseph Richard, who is at home. The dead are: Nellie, who died September 13, 1890, at the age of fourteen years; Maude, who died in March, 1888, aged three years.
     In politics Mr. Davis is firmly arrayed in the support of the Democratic party and its principles. Mrs. Davis is a devoted member of the Christian Church. Our subject is a man of marked intelligence and discrimination, has been an indefatigable worker, and has attained not only a high order of success in temporal affairs, but the respect and confidence of all who have had the privilege of appreciating his honorable and upright character.
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 114-116
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

WILLIAM F. DAVIS, D. V. S., who occupies a representative position in the ranks of that profession which has shown such marked advances within the past decade and which is held in high repute, has been a resident of Marysville, Union county, Ohio, since June 10, 1893, and has already gained prestige and built up a fine business by reason of his unmistakable professional ability and his fidelity to his work. He is a native of Chillicothe, Missouri, where he was born April 6, 1868, the son of Moses F. and Bettie (Roebuck) Davis, who were respectively of Welch and English extraction.
     Our subject was but a small child when his mother died, and shortly after this sad event his father removed to Ohio and took up his residence at Washington Court House, where William was reared, his father being a professional trainer and driver of fast horses. Our subject received his literary education in the public schools at Jeffersonville, this State, continuing his studies until he attained the age of nineteen years, devoting a portion of his time to handling track horses, under the capable direction of his father. He then entered the veterinary department of the Ohio State University, where he passed one year, after which, in 1891, he went to New York city, where he matriculated at the American Veterinary College, completing the prescribed course and graduating with honors, March 24, 1893. He then returned to his home in this State and for a time traveled into various sections of the same in the practice of veterinary dentistry, in which line he is a most skilled operative. He finally came to Union county upon a visit, and being favorably impressed with the city of Marysville, determined to here establish himself in the practice of his profession. This he did and has since been located here, where his services have come into ready demand and where he is building up a lucrative practice. He devotes special attention to dental work, but is thoroughly informed in all branches of the veterinary science.
     He has always taken much interest in good horses, and has personally owned some very fine standard-bred individuals in the trotting and pacing field. He owns at the present time the pacing filly, Lady Hamlet, who is three years old and who made a race record of 2:24¼ in a race at Marysville, Ohio, September 28, 1894.
     The Doctor is a member of the American Veterinary Association and of the Ohio State Veterinary Association. Fraternally, he is identified with the Masonic Order, being a member of Palestine Lodge, No. 158, F. & A. M.; with the Knights of Pythias, retaining a membership in Marysville Lodge, No. 100, and holding office in the same as Vice Chancellor, and with Marysville Lodge, No. 87, I. O. O. F.
     Dr. Davis is a young man of pleasing address, is genial and courteous in bearing, and enjoys a marked popularity in the city which he has adopted as his home.
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 151-152
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.