Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Page 574 

DAVID DAVIS is a citizen of Ninnescah Township, residing on section 32, where he is actively engaging with good success in agricultural pursuits. He was born in Jackson County, Ind., July 14, 1848, his parents being James and Nancy (Cummins) Davis. His father was of English origin. To them were born five children, four of whom are now living. Their son Drury bravely gave up his life while fighting in the defense of his country in the late Civil War; Sarah is the wife of William Nolte, of Sedgwick County; Margaret is the wife of Newton Partridge, of this county; James lives in Jackson County, Ind.

            Our subject passed his boyhood in his native State, receiving good educational advantages and a careful training from his parents, who early taught him to be industrious, honest and frugal, if he would succeed in life. He learned when quite young to do all kinds of farm work and performed his share of the daily labors, and when he grew to manhood he adopted the calling to which he had been reared. In 1875 he decided that he could farm to better advantage and more profitably on the fresh and unbroken soil of the far-famed Arkansas River Valley, which but a few years before had been opened to settlement. Accordingly he came to Sedgwick County, and pre-empted the southern quarter of section 32 in Ninnescah Township, settling on it immediately, and by dint of hard labor, self-denial, and an intelligent application of agricultural principles, he has wrested a fine farm from the hand of nature, and made a comfortable home for his family. He now owns 240 acres of land, having added eighty acres to his original purchase. In all his undertakings he has met with unbounded success, and bids fair to become one of the wealthy men of the township, although he started in life with no other capital than brains and muscle.

            Our subject has been twice married. He was first wedded to Mrs. Melvina (Fleetwood) Finley, in Indiana, in 1869. Two children were born of that union: Effie, Aug. 29, 1871, and Eva, Nov. 9, 1873. Mrs. Davis died at her home in Indiana. Mr. Davis was married to Miss Hannah Finley, in January, 1876. To them were born five children, as follows: William, March 7, 1877; Lawrence, Nov. 9, 1878; Ottawa, Nov. 21, 1880; James A., May 9, 1884; Jessie, April 14, 1886. On the 2d of May, 1887, the loved and loving wife, mother and friend fell into the sleep which knows no waking, and many mourned with the bereaved family in their loss.

            Mr. Davis thoroughly represents the pioneers of Sedgwick County, as he has aided in its development and has contributed generously to promote its prosperity. He is a man of genuine worth, and enjoys the respect and confidence of his neighbors. In him the Democratic party has one of its most earnest supporters. Of the comfortable and pleasant home which has been built up through his industry and forethought, a lithographic view is given elsewhere in this work.

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