David J Davis (abt. 1804 - 1888)

Born about 1804 in Wales, United Kingdom

Husband of Margaret (Jeffers) Davis — married [date unknown] in Wales, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 7 Nov 1888 at about age 84 in Glencoe, Buffalo, Wisconsin, United States

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Biography

David was born about 1804. He passed away in 1888.

From History of Charleston and Kanawha County, WV and Representative Citizens:

“David J, Davis was born in 1808 in North Wales, and died in 1888. His father was a woolen manufacturer and both his parents died in Wales. David J. learned the trade of watchmaker and afterward went to South Wales and there was married to Margaret Jeffrus and after the birth of two children – David and Elizabeth – they decided to emigrate to America. In 1834 they set sail in one of the old-time vessels that were making the passage at that period, and after a long and tempestuous time on the ocean were finally landed on the shores of the United States. David J Davis became a coal miner in Pennsylvania and later acquired mining interests of his own and for some years was a mine manager for others. In 1852 he was assigned to the duty of bringing a railroad engine by boat, to the Winifrede mining district in the Kanawha coal fields, and this service he performed for Col. Garland, who was an old Mexican soldier. This engine was the first to come into the states and it was for use on the old railroad line up Fields Creek from the Kanawha River. Mr. Davis was Col. Garland’s manager and he put the railroad in condition for use and operation. His son, William Davis, he made the first engineer on the road. In 1856, David J Davis went to Wisconsin, where he located three farms in Buffalo county, by preemption and entry, and became a well known man there, where he was a local civil engineer and surveyor, and in the latter capacity surveyed a large portion of that county. He assisted also in the development of other resources, having unusual business qualifications as well as sleeping talents that only necessity brought forth. As an example, he became a successful physician and surgeon, traveling miles to alleviate the sickness and pains of widely separated families, when no graduated medical man was within reach. He is still remembered with feelings of respect and esteem in Ruffner County. He continues to live there and died on the day, in 1888, that saw Benjamin F. Harrison elected president of the United States, having been granted his earnest wish that he might be permitted to cast his political vote for the grandson of General Harrison, for whom he had voted so many years before. He was a devout member of the Episcopal church. His widow, who was born within two weeks of him, survived until 1892, dying at the age of eighty-four years. She was a lifelong Presbyterian. Eleven children were born to David J. and his wife and record here is given: David, who was born in Wales, died of cholera, at Pittsburgh, in the epidemic of 1852, being unmarried. Elizabeth, who was the second child born in Wales, became the wife of William Tamplin, and both are now deceased. William was born in America. During the Civil War he was a member of the 7th W. Va. Cav., and was killed at Peterstown, now in West Virginia. Marian married Edward Evans, who died at Payne Creek, Kanawha county, and she lives with her children. Ann married Joshua Newby of West Virginia and both are now deceased. Philip, married, lives at Montgomery, W. Va. James is a farmer in Buffalo county, Wis., and served in the Federal army during the Civil War. Henry is the next in order of birth. Thomas lives on the old homestead at Glencoe, Buffalo county, Wis. Emmanuel died in childhood and a babe died in infancy.”

Sources

• Laidley, W. S. History of Charleston and Kanawha County, WV and Representative Citizens Chicago, Illinois 1911. Pages 545-6. [1]

• Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties, Wisconsin, Volume 2 Illustrated H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co., Winona, Minn. 1919. Pages 625-6. [2]

• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4CY-421 : 24 December 2020), David Davis, Cass Township, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

• "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWML-5T1 : 18 February 2021), David J Davis, 1860 (Buffalo, Wisconsin).

• "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MN93-T4T : 29 May 2021), David Davis, 1870 (Buffalo, Wisconsin).

• Find A Grave: Memorial #31085129