PETER C. DAVIS

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 825-826:

Peter C. Davis

(Farmer and Stock-dealer, Section 31, Post-office, Sheldon).

   Among the old and prominent families of Vernon county is that represented by the subject of this sketch, members of which became settled here upwards of 30 years ago.  Thomas R. Davis, Peter’s father, was a Virginian by birth, born December 16, 1801.  He was reared in Kentucky, but when a young man moved to Sangamon county, Ill., where he resided upon a farm until coming to this county in 1856.  The year following he brought his family here, and subsequently gave his attention largely to farming, though he erected and operated a saw mill at what was then called Fairview.  His wife, formerly Miss Elizabeth Davenport of Kentucky origin, became the mother of twelve children, six of whom lived to become themselves the heads of families; five of these are still living: Almeda, now Mrs. W. W. Kelly, of Sangamon county, Ill.; Margaret, wife of Job Hucklebridge, of Macoupin county, Ill.; Phebe, Mrs. Jesse Rigg, of McDonough county, Ill.; Peter C. and Timothy D.  One son, Rufus, died in this county January 12, 1886.  Thomas R. Davis died March 25, 1878, at the advanced age of 77 years, 3 months and 9 days, sincerely mourned by a host of warm friends.  Peter C. Davis was born in Sangamon county, Ill., March 27, 1842.  He was reared there up to the age of 15 on a farm, then accompanying his parents to Vernon county, Mo., where he made his home until the outbreak of the war in 1861.  About that time he returned to Illinois, but in October, 1869, he again came to this county, and since then has continued to remain here; and it is eminently true that he has been prominently identified with the county’s interests in many ways.  Certainly he is entitled to much credit for the position he now occupies, both as a farm, stock man and citizen, for the reason that more than ordinary success has attended him, due to his own exertions, good management and personal worth.  Every one who knows him at all recognizes in him one of the truly valued residents of the county, and thorough-going farmers of Drywood township.  March 23, 1865, Mr. Davis was married to Miss Ellen Flowers, daughter of George and Tabitha Flowers.  She was born in Muskingum county, O., in 1845.  Four bright and interesting children now constitute their family: Forrest, George, Phebe and Almeda.  Five are deceased.  Mr. D. is the owner of 1,420 acres of Vernon’s richest land, all of which he has made himself, except 160 acres given him by his father.  Like that person, and also his grandfather, he has always been a Democrat.  Himself and wife are active members of the Christian Church, liberally contributing of their time and means towards the support of that body.  It should have been mentioned before that his mother, whose birth occurred May 27, 1812, died April 12, 1880.  It is, perhaps, an item of interest that, when the family first settled here, there was no house within 15 miles of their residence.  The father hauled from Kansas City the lumber with which he built the mill already referred to.

[Transcribed by Becky Siple]

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