From A
Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. I, p. 343
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902
J. C. DAVIS
J C Davis is engaged in the real-estate and abstract business in Lyons. For twenty-six years he has been a resident of Kansas and is deeply interested in everything pertaining to the progress and welfare of his adopted state. He was born in Peoria, Illinois, on the 2nd of December, 1859, and the progressive and enterprising spirit which has wrought the wonderful development in the Mississippi valley has been exemplified in his career. His father, R C Davis, became a resident of Peoria in 1856, emigrating westward from Wheeling, West Virginia, his birthplace. He represented one of the honored families of that locality and was a farmer and stock-raiser. After remaining in Illinois for a time he returned to West Virginia for his wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Keyser and was born in that state, of German lineage. For a time the parents resided upon their farm and Mr Davis won a handsome competence through his capable management and business ability. At length he put aside active duties of business life and is now living retired at his home in Elmwood, Illinois. He had eight children, five sons and three daughters, but Mr Davis of this review is the only one now in Kansas. One son was killed by accident in an elevator; Elmer E died in Lake City, Illinois; and the other members of the family are now living.
J C Davis was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He worked in the fields from the time of early spring planting to the garnering of the harvests. His education was acquired in the public schools of his native state, and in 1876 he came to the west, making his way to Rice county, where his father owned a farm. For four years he devoted his attention to the management and cultivation of this property and then returned to Illinois, where for a year he engaged in merchandising in Yates City. On the expiration of that period he again came to Kansas, where he was connected with a store for a time, after which he spent one year as a traveling salesman, representing a Chicago firm. His next venture was in the abstract and land business, which has since claimed his attention. He has an excellent set of abstract books and has a good clientage in the real-estate department of his business.
In 1893, in Stafford county, Kansas, was celebrated the marriage of Mr Davis and Miss Edna Scott, a daughter of the well known Judge H W Scott, who has a wide acquaintance in the Sunflower state and in Oklahoma. Mrs Davis is a lady of natural culture and refinement and prior to her marriage was a successful and popular teacher in Larned, Kansas, for some time. Their union has been blessed with three children, - Margaret, Charlotte and Philip. Mr and Mrs Davis are people of the highest respectability, and owing to their sterling worth the hospitality of the best homes of Lyons is extended to them. Mr Davis is a member of the Presbyterian church and his wife holds membership in the Christian church. Socially he is identified with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and in his political belief is a Republican, giving his support to the men and measures of the party. Public-spirited and progressive, he co-operates with measures for the general good and possesses those qualities which render him a valued and esteemed resident of his adopted city.