David Davis, a
retired farmer of Earlville, LaSalle county, was born in Wales, September
24, 1831. His parents were John and Maria (Davis) Davis, who were born,
reared and married in that country. The father, a saddler by trade, died in
early life, leaving two children: David, our subject, and Rachel, wife of L.
B. Stark, of Licking county, Ohio. After his death the mother married Elias
Jones, by whom she had four children, — Mary, Samuel, Elizabeth and Jane, ah
deceased, the son dying in the army during the civil war. The mother came to
this country in 1840, with her parents, six brothers and three sisters. Her
brothers were John J., Thomas J., David J., Henry J., Evan J. and Frederick
J.; and her sisters Rachel, Mary and Jane. She settled in Licking county,
Ohio, where she married Mr. Jones.
David Davis was nine years of age
when he came to America with his mother and remained in Licking county on a
farm until 1857, when he came to LaSalle county, where his uncles had
located. He worked on his uncle Henry's farm for about ten years, receiving
a monthly stipend, most of which was carefully saved up for the purpose of
purchasing land. His first property was eighty acres of unimproved land in
Freedom township, which he soon placed in a state of cultivation, making it
second to none in that section. He was industrious and economical, and the
habits of thrift and industry so early formed now enabled him to add to this
acreage until his farm land covers some two hundred acres. His farming has
been by improved methods, and the success which has marked his progress
speaks well for his ideas and has placed him among the front rank of
intelligent, prosperous farmers.
Mr. Davis was married February 24, 1876, to Miss Martha Wiley, of Freedom
township, this county, born January 2, 1845. Her parents were Charles and
Seraphina (Greenleaf) Wiley, pioneer settlers of this township, who came
from the state of Elaine in 1844. Mr. Davis is a Republican, but has never
been an aspirant for official honors. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity and stands high in the community.
Extracted 13 Jun 2019 by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois, published in 1900, volume 2, pages 670-671.
| Lee | DeKalb | Kane |
| Bureau |
 |
Kendall |
| Putnam | Grundy | |
| Marshall | Woodford | Livingston |
