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567
JOSEPH W. DAVIS.
While the life history of Joseph W. Davis was
not spectacular, it was none the less important.
In fact there are few men who have had a greater
influence on the community in which they have
lived than had Mr. Davis. Firm as a rock in business,
he was a man whom to know was to respect and honor.
So actively was he associated with the interests
of Avoca that no record of the town would be complete
without mention of him. His name, too, was largely
respected as a synonym for honorable, straightforward
action and high purposes.
The earliest known ancestor of Joseph W. Davis
was William Davis, an esquire of Buckingham, England,
whose two sons, William II. and John, came to
the American colonies about 1732 and settled in
Providence, Rhode Island. William II. had two
sons, Gaius and Barnabas, born in, 1749 and 1751
respectively, who were left orphans in 1755. Gaius
was reared in the family of Peter Pike of North
Providence, whose daughter, Hannah, born June'
19, 1761, later became his wife. They had four
sons, Jonathan, William III., Randall and Joseph.
Gaius Davis served his state in the operations
to compel the British evacuation of Newport, Rhode
Island, in the campaigns of 1779 and 1780. From
North Providence he removed to a farm in the Mashentuck
district of Killingly, Windham county, Connecticut,
which he had purchased November 3, 1784, and on
which he died September 23, 1816. His wife died
August 6, 1828, while making her home with her
third son, who had succeeded to his father's farm.
The father of Joseph W. Davis was Randall Davis,
third son of Gaius. He was born April 11, 1789,
and was reared to the exacting childhood necessitated
by his father's moderate circumstances. During
the war of 1812 he served as a member of Captain
Solomon Sykes company in defense (June, 1813)
of New London. He remained on the stony farm in
East Killingly in order that the declining years
of his parents might be made as comfortable as
possible but about 1831 sold the homestead and
removed to Danielsonville. There during the days
of turnpikes and stages he kept a, tavern on Franklin
street, in
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the building now used as a Romish convent. His
eldest son, Joseph W., remembered this period
especially by reason of his school days and by
reason of the first railroad built through Danielson,
which many citizens regarded as foolish extravagance.
Disposing of this property about 1836, he purchased
a farm of Jonathan Cutler bordering the north
line of the Barnabas Davis homestead. There he
built great barns and a large house, which he
occupied from 1837 until his death December 10,
1821. Here he reared not only his large family
but also two orphans. He ruled by love rather
than fear, and one who has been an inmate of many
homes said he was never in one where there was
so little fault finding and enforced discipline.
His youngest son said that Randall Davis was wont
to teach the most severe personal morals of any
man he had ever known. In politics he was a Jeffersonian
democrat, uncompromising but just. On the 18th
of March, 1818, he married Phylia Kies, who was
born in Killingly May 28, 1796, a daughter of
Wilson Keys II. She was of Scotch lineage and
a worthy exponent both of Scotch and New England
virtues in her industry, thrift and training of
her children to reverence for the sanctuary. During
her earlier married life she was closely identified
with the church at South Killingly, of which Barnabas
Davis' father-in-law, Rev. Eliphalet Wright, had
been so many years a beloved pastor, and during
the last half century of her life with the Westfield
Congregational church. She passed away November
12, 1882, at the home of her daughter, Maria A.,
who was the wife of James A. Darling, and who
at her death in 1899 left a legacy, the interest
of which was to be used to aid in maintaining
the church of her early childhood. Joseph W. Davis,
of Avoca, traced his ancestry on his mother's
side through Wilson Keys II. and Wilson Kies I.
back to his great-great-grandfather, Ebenezer
McKee, (for so the name was then spelled) who
died about 1731. E. McKee married Susannah, daughter
of Nicholas Cady, who removed from Groton, Massachusetts,
and settled about 1705 in Killingly, where both
he and his son-in-law appear to have been large
speculators in land, of which they owned much
south of Danielson.
Phylia, the oldest daughter of Wilson II. and
Betsey (Hulet) Keys (who had changed the spelling
of the name), married Randall Davis and they had
six daughters (one died in infancy) and three
sons. The latter were Joseph W., George R. and
Edwin W. Of five daughters all-were born, reared,
married and died in or near Danielson, Connecticut,
but only one, Marietta E., left issue, her only
child, John R., being today a representative of
both branches of the Davis house, being on the
maternal side descended from Gaius Davis and on
the paternal side (his father was the youngest
male descendent of Barnabas Davis) descended from
Gaius' younger brother, this making John R. doubly
a great-great-grandson of William Davis II.
Randall Davis died before any of his sons were
married and this threw the responsibility of managing
the farm upon his two eldest sons, the boys in
time becoming the owners thereof. The second son
eventually succeeded to the property, having bought
the interest of the other heir in 1866. The farm
consisted of two hundred acres and was successfully
managed by Joseph W.'s brother, George R. Davis,
until his retirement in 1902. It is today in possession
of his only son, Frank A. Davis.
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Joseph W. Davis, the eldest son of Randall Davis
and the immediate subject of this review, was
born May 23, 1826, on the Gaius Davis homestead.
Like-his father, he was known for his industry,
thrift and love of his home, and also for his
word, which was as good as his bond. Like his
father, too, he was reserved in manner, fond of
choice reading, tenacious of opinions once formed
and of much courage, which he displayed particularly
in the execution of a decided purpose and in the
expression of strong conviction. During his first
school year at Mashentuck No.5, his teacher was
his mother's youngest sister, Harriet, who by
reason of her mother's premature death had been
more like a daughter of Randall Davis and the
depth of whose affection for his wife, whom she
always called "Sister Phylia", cannot
be pictured. Harriet Keys married on August 26,
1833, Calvin Cooper, and they removed to Bureau
county, Illinois, in 1855, settling near Mineral.
There one September day in 1869 appeared Joseph
W. Davis, handsome of face and as straight as
a dart, whom she remembered well as "an obedient,
tractable and most apt pupil, a., well as a dutiful
son," and who was en route to Shelby county
at the solicitation of his youngest brother to
come out there and canvass the situation with
the object of locating in Harlan, Iowa. Eighteen
years later after the death of her husband, Mrs.
Calvin Cooper came to Shelby county, Iowa, and
made her home with her second daughter, Louisa,
wife of George Battey, a pioneer grain and elevator
man and live-stock dealer of Portsmouth. There
or at the home of her son, Daniel Cooper, who
died June 20, 1907, at Shelby, Iowa, after a residence
there of twenty-seven years, J. W. Davis had the
pleasure of meeting his aged aunt and first teacher
a number of times before her death at the home
of Mrs. George Battey on November 29, 1889.
When his father removed to Danielsonville, Joseph
W. Davis attended,. during six successive winters,
the Westfield district school, of which William
Sabin and Caroline Spaulding were the teachers.
During the winter term of 1845 and the fall term
of 1846 he was a student in the Westfield Academy
and in the succeeding winter he taught school
at North Killingly and through the summer and
winter of 1847 was teacher at Killingly Center.
For about twenty years he successfully followed
the teacher's profession and his capability is
indicated by the statement: "He applied for
his first school; afterward directors applied
to him." His knowledge was largely self-acquired,
dating in part from the days when he taught school
and "boarded around the district," when
each night found him busily at work by the light
of a tallow candle at the schoolhouse, laying
out work for the succeeding day and gaining additional
information. A friend of his school days and early
manhood said: "As I recall the sons of Killingly
who during the nineteenth century left their mark
on this community, the name of Joseph Davis stands
out vividly before me. As a scholar he was unusually
bright and intelligent. Personally he was tall
and erect, with a fine head, dignified bearing,
and was a conspicuous figure on our streets. Gifted
by nature with the art of imparting knowledge
and with excellent governing ability, he was for
several years a very successful teacher in Connecticut
schools. Later he went west and became principal
of the school of Ontonagon, Michigan. He came
of sturdy ancestry that transmitted to him keen
mental endowment and strict moral character, which
made him strong
570
among his fellows and fashioned his life according
to the best tenets of American citizenship. He
possessed in a large degree strong individuality
combined with kindliness of heart, particularly
shown to his mother and sisters."
His native force of character, the utilization
of his innate talents and his ready recognition
of opportunities were strong elements in the success
that came to him in later life; but we find him
starting out as the great majority of our prosperous
men have done-with little capital save willing
hands and strong hearts.
His Success is partially due to the influence,
encouragement and tact of his wife, who in maidenhood
was Sarah E. Chamberlin, of Danielson, Connecticut.
A very intimate companion of her youth and a
life-long friend writes: "The father of Mrs.
Davis was John P. Chamberlin IV., a great-grandson
of John Chamberlain I., who was born in 1711 and
died on December 5, 1878, at Woodstock, Connecticut,
where his family connections resided for many
scores of years. John Pierpont IV. Chamberlin
(so spelled by him) was born in Brooklyn, Connecticut,
December 31, 1806. He came of sturdy New England
stock and was early accustomed to self-reliance.
His childhood and young manhood were passed in
Woodstock, Connecticut, and there he married Miss
Nancy Fox. After her death he went to Cincinnati,
Ohio, where he engaged in business with Joshua
Perkins, whose sister, Elizabeth Perkins, of Lisbon,
Connecticut, he married August 3, 1841. Two daughters
were born to them: Sarah Elizabeth, widow of J.
W. Davis; and Ellen Perkins, wife of Edward H.
Jacobs, president of the E. H. Jacobs Manufacturing
Company of Danielson, Connecticut. After a few
years Mr. Chamberlin returned east and established
himself as a merchant in West Killingly, Connecticut,
now Danielson. Here he lived to the end of his
days, identifying himself with the interests of
the town, holding town office and being at one
time postmaster. His honorable business methods
attracted not only local customers but those from
a widely surrounding region. He was an active
member of Westfield Congregational church, for
which he gave his generous support. His character
held a marvelous courage in the face of repeated
disasters and constant ill health, to which many
another would have succumbed. Yet coupled with
this undaunted energy was the innate refinement
and genial courtesy of the natural gentleman.
His example was a daily inspiration to purity
of life and speech, to patriotism, to reverence
for age and to the religion which is not creed,
but life. When the freed spirit left its weary
frame, his fellow citizens closed their places
of business for the first time in the history
of the community to pay honor to him who, throughout
his long life among them, had not only commanded
their respect but won their love.
"Mrs. Davis traces her ancestry on her mother's
side to John Perkins, who was born in Newent,
Gloucester county, England, about 1590 and who
came to Boston in the ship Zion in February, 1631,
together with his wife Judith and five children,
joining the church there during the same year.
He removed to Ipswich, Massachusetts, was a representative
in the general court in 1636, and died in 1654.
. His great-grandson, Mathew Perkins, died May
3, 1773, and was interred in the village burying
ground of Lisbon (now Sprague), Con-
571
necticut. A stone, stately for those days, marks
his grave, the inscription on which is surmounted
by a dial, whose hours were once gilded heavily,
and over all are the words 'Memento Mori' Mathew's
son, Joshua, built a large colonial house, which
still stands substantial and beautiful, for the
joint occupancy of himself and his son Charles.
The Perkins family owned at that time a large
tract of land in Lisbon, Connecticut, which was
then called Perkinstown. In 1812 Charles married
Betsy Payne of Canterbury, Connecticut. Of her
it can justly be said that she was the embodiment
of a noble, gracious womanhood. Her mother was
called 'the philosopher,' so keen was her insight,
so broad her outlook on life. Charles Perkins
had two sons and three daughters, one of whom
was the mother of Mrs. Davis. Elizabeth Perkins
was endowed by nature with a high order of intellect,
which was developed by the best schools of the
age. She was of the Puritan type, her character
laid deep in truth, integrity and strong sense
of duty. On these granite foundations rose the
strong tower of her life, bearing aloft its beacon
light. In the village of Danielson, Connecticut,
where she spent a half century, her Christian
sympathy and numberless charities have given her
an enduring name, while those who came under her
influence in the home hold her reverently in their
hearts.
"It was from such an ancestry that Sarah
E. Davis derived her life. She is of the east
and of the west. She first saw the light in Cincinnati,
Ohio, on August 25, 1843. When about two years
old her parents removed to West Killingly, now
Danielson, Connecticut. Her first school days
were passed there in Westfield school. Later she
finished the course in West Killingly Academy.
This was followed by study at Wadawannuck College,
Stonington, Connecticut, and at Wheaton Seminary;
Norton, Massachusetts, then as now, one of the
finest schools for young women.
"She united at the age of twelve years with
the Westfield Congregational church and was a
member of its choir for a number of years. After
her school days were over she assisted her father
in bookkeeping and after a disastrous fire, in
which the books were destroyed, her excellent
memory supplied the loss with remarkable accuracy.
Her youth was marked by unswerving truth and filial
deference. This latter quality, with the charm
of her vivacity, first attracted Mr. Davis and
not long after, on the evening of November 3,
1868; in the church of her childhood, they took
upon themselves their marriage vows.
"In 1870 she removed to Harlan, Iowa, where
she courageously adapted herself to pioneer conditions
and founded her new home. While loyal to New England
traditions, she gave to it also the spirit of
the west. Save for a week spent at the Columbian
Exposition, two weeks spent in company with her
younger son in Colorado, and occasional visits
to Connecticut, where her girlhood was passed
and where both her sister and her mother as well
as beloved cousins resided, she may be said to
have spent .her time at home. From the time of
taking up her residence in Iowa onward it could
truly be said, 'East or West-Home's best.'
"When motherhood came she received it as
her crown; so much the more her fireside became
the place of all the world. But she has never
selfishly limited herself there. Her home has
been one of hospitality. Her church and its pastor's
families, her neighbors and her friends have shared
in her time,
572
strength and deeds of helpfulness. By them near
and afar, her name is spoken in loving gratitude,
for to the inherent value of what she bestows
she adds her personal interest, even personal
service, if Deed be, giving herself with the gift.
"True to her ancestry, she keeps the beacon
light burning. May she live many blessed, beautiful
years to guard the flame."
A former pastor said of her: "One, who has
known Mrs. Davis as a personal friend, gladly
bears witness to the fact that she is a woman
of sterling qualities. The sacred writer says
of the ideal woman, 'The heart of her husband
doth safely trust in her; she will do him good
and not evil all the days of her life.' Surely
this would have been the testimony of Mr. Davis
in regard to his wife, for although interested
in many things her chief interest centers in the
home life. During the years that they walked together
she was a faithful companion, relying upon her
husband for counsel and advice and giving in return
love and sympathy. Industry and thrift have always
been prominent features in the life of Mrs. Davis.
When prosperity comes many yield to temptations
of idleness and wastefulness; but it has not been
so with Mrs. Davis. If able to be more free from
household duties, she finds opportunity for many
deeds of kindness and helpfulness to others. Neither
has this success developed that false and proud
spirit, which disregards little things, for Mrs.
Davis recognizes that it is through the right
use of little things that larger things are possible.
Always careful in the observance of the laws of
health, she has been blessed with unusual strength
of body, nor has she neglected the cultivation
of intellect, but even in late years had reviewed
certain studies in which she was very proficient
during her school days. Last but not least of
the virtues of Mrs. Davis is her Christian faith.
She has .been an efficient worker in the church
(Congregational), of which when it was organized
by Rev. Wright in Harlan in 1871 she was one of
the seven original members, and from which she
took a letter in October, 1872, to join the same
denomination in Avoca to which she had removed
six weeks before, bearing many of its burdens
and contributing freely not only to its support
but also to many benevolences."
That her husband found in her an integrity parallel
with his own and that it was hers to win and keep
his absolute trust is best shown by the probate
record of his testamentary directions, appointing
"Sarah E. Davis as executrix of this my will
without bond" and giving her his personal
estate absolutely as well as a life interest in
his real estate.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Davis were born two sons: Edwin
Wilson, a graduate of the Avoca high school and
later a student at Iowa College, Grinnell; and
Joseph Walter, who is attending Iowa State College,
Ames. Through the death of their father they lost
a wise and trusted counsellor.
In March, 1870, Mr. and Mrs. Davis removed to
Harlan, Shelby county, Iowa, where he joined his
youngest brother in the conduct of a general store
under the name of J. W. & E. W. Davis, general
merchandise. In April, 1871, J. W. Davis, A. G.
Vinton and E. W. Davis entered into a partnership
and established a general store in Avoca, with
Mr. Vinton in charge. On August 1, 1872, J. W.
and E. W. Davis established a private bank in
Avoca and about that time removed from Harlan.
This venture proved a success and the enterprise
soon became one of the best known and most substantial
banks in west
573
ern Pottawattamie county. Exactly thirteen years
after its foundation, the banking business of
J. W. & E. W. Davis was succeeded by The Avoca
Bank, incorporated as a state institution under
the laws of Iowa, with the following officers:
President, J. W. Davis; vice president, E. W.
Davis; and cashier, Charles N. Voss. On July 1,1887,
E. W. Davis sold half of his interest to each
of his partners in the bank, and on the same date
the president's nephew, John R. Davis, became
a third partner in the bank. Thereafter J. W.
Davis was its president, principal stockholder
and leading officer until October 11, 1892, when
he sold half of the entire bank stock to the Iowa
National Bank of Des Moines, which purchased on
that date a controlling interest in The Avoca
Bank.
In later years he extended his banking interests.
He and C. G. Sanford had signed articles of copartnership
and leased a building to establish a bank in Walnut,
Iowa, but before actually commencing business
were offered such a good price to abandon the
project by J. H. Henry, owner of the Exchange
Bank, that they accepted it in November, 1886.
In the following month J. W. Davis became proprietor
of the Bank of Shelby and engaged C. G. Sanford
as cashier. On March 21, 1887, J. W. Davis, C.
N. Voss and C. G. Sanford entered into a copartnership
for a term of three years under the firm name
of J. W. Davis & Company; purchased the Bank
of Shelby, and retained the services of its cashier.
On July 1, 1890, Clapp & Davis of the Citizens'
Bank bought out the interests of their competitor,
J. W. Davis & Company, and continued business
under the style Bank of Shelby. J. W. Davis established,
January 1, 1891, in the town of Persia, Iowa,
a private bank, which is still in possession of
his family.
Just across the street from the scene of his
former labors, Mr. Davis, on the 3d of February,
1893, established the Commercial Bank, in the
management of which he displayed his ever keen
discernment and unfaltering diligence. He was
proprietor until July 1, 1901, when the bank was
incorporated under the name of the Citizens' Savings
Bank, of which he became president. Mr. Davis
was a firm believer and liberal investor in Iowa
soil. He was just and generous toward his tenants,
as evidenced not only by his liberality in making
improvements for the convenience of his renters
and betterment of land they had leased but also
by remitting portions of rent during years of
partial crop failure, for instance, by giving
one-third of his rent to each tenant during the
"hard times" of 1894.
His conservative methods and foresight into business
affairs inspired confidence in those who trusted
him and one of his predominant characteristics
was his loyalty to every trust. One who knew him
intimately for twenty years said of him: "His
word was his bond, and his bond was never questioned.
'While he possessed a deep sense of pride, it
never manifested itself in outward display but
was shown in his anxiety for an untarnished good
name and for that which works for the betterment
of mankind individually. Another predominant characteristic
of his life was his spirit of fairness. He never
asked for himself that which he would not himself
concede to others. He never sought to take advantage
by cunning or deceit and others, who sought to
gain thereby, never received any encouragement
from him and did not remain
574
among his associates or friends. To say that
he had no enemies would hardly be true. No man
with so positive convictions, with so strong likes
and dislikes as had Mr. Davis, could live so long
as he, without making some enemies, without stirring
up some resentment and ill will. But it may be
truthfully said that where he had one enemy, his
friends were numbered by the hundreds. Among these
may be found those who will ever praise him for
the help which they have received from his hands."
The most envious could not grudge Mr. Davis his
success, so worthily was it won. He based his
advancement upon close concentration, unfaltering
determination and perseverance, which enabled
him to overcome all obstacles and work his way
steadily upward to success. In politics Mr. Davis
was an inflexible republican. He had no patience
with petty politics but believed firmly in the
sound principles of republican statesmanship.
In fact one of his most commendable characteristics
was his fidelity to a cause in which he believed,
and when he once gave his support to any measure
neither fear nor favor could cause him to change
his course. In his home town and its welfare he
was interested and his co-operation was given
to measures like the establishment of the Centennial
Mills, the Avoca Creamery and several newspapers
for Avoca's substantial improvement. His circle
of friends was select rather than large and although
he was not much given to society he had a hearty
greeting, a quiet but dry and laughter-provoking
joke, mixed with sarcasm, during which its perpetrator
usually kept a straight face, save for a merry
twinkle of his keen brown eye or a twitch of his
lip; a bit of fatherly advice; and a reminiscence
of the old days for those whom he met on the street
and the many who sought his office. Most were
aware of his ability to keep his own counsel and
he was therefore the repository of many family
and business secrets, upon which his counsel was
desired and which he never betrayed. Conversation
with him disclosed not only innate refinement,
but also the resources of a mind cultivated by
research and by deep thought. In manner he was
reserved, which doubtless made him misunderstood
by a great many, who never knew the real man beneath
the cool exterior. He did not give his friendship
quickly. When once his confidence was bestowed
and his warm regard extended to any man, he held
friendship inviolate; but were either violated
he did not, save in a very few exceptional cases,
ever return either. He had a wonderfully analytical
mind and an extremely accurate memory. He retained
his remarkable physical and intellectual powers
to the last. He held very high ideals and what
is more lived up to them, and his life record
is indeed in many respects an example well worthy
of emulation. The unqualified regard in which
he was uniformly held by those who knew him was
shown at his death, which occurred March 26, 1905,
when on the occasion of his funeral the floral
offerings and decorations were the most beautiful
and abundant ever seen in Avoca. To his family
he was a devoted husband, a kind and indulgent
father, and the warmth of his nature was best
known to them as wife and sons came into close
companionship with him, sharing his inmost thoughts
and purposes and guided by his lofty principles.
Such was the strength of his character and his
marked individuality that he left his permanent
impress for good upon the residents in and around
Avoca, where he lived and labored over thirty
years.
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