Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-04-05
Death of James Davis.

James Davis, who had been gradually
growing worse for some time. died Satur.
day evening about five o'clock. Cancer
on the neck was the immediate cause.
Mr.. Davis was born at Mt. Vernon
OHIO, October 6, 1919, consequently was
at his death aged 80 years, months and
% days. His early home on the Ohio
frontier, in the primeval forests and the
bowling Of the wolf has been familiar
sound to him during the greater part of
his long life. His early education was
common school, and that in those days
was brief. But Mr.. Davis was by nature
endowed with what was superior to
education, excellent natural abilities.
He became twenty one years of age
the fall Gen. VIM. Henry Harrison was
running for president, in lS40 and his
first vote was cast for that noted man.
MIR. Davis description Of Gen. Harrison,
OF that famous political campaign and Of
those early times was most entertaining.
At the age Of twenty-five years Mr..
Davis was appointed assistant keeper of
the Ohio penitentiary at Columbus and
for three years he performed the respon-
sible duties of that office. At the end of
that time, or in 1874 he went to Jeffer-
son City, Missouri, and conducted
lumber yard for two years. In 1916 he
went to Dubuque, this state, staying one
year. He then went to Moline, Illinois,
and staid year or two running saw
mill. In 1S4S he located at Garnaville,
Clayton county, this state, engaging in
the cattle business. Five years there
after ne was married at that place to Miss
Elizabeth McLelland. Two years after
this, or i'll 1855, at the age of thirty six,
he was elected sheriff of Clayton county.
he was elected to this position six times,
was appointed once and served once as
the man elected resigned in his favor
He thus served as sheriff Of Clayton
county in all about sixteen years. He
was deputy provost marshal under
Capt. Adams, Of Dubuque, for some time
He was an able, courageous and COM
petent official and had state reputation
During these times he was well &C.
quainted and on familiar terms with Mr.
Larrabee, afterwards state senator and
governor. Speaking OF it later Mr.. Davis
said he called him Bill and we we're as
intimate as other good neighbors. Mr..
Davis was also well acquainted and was
on familiar terms with Col. Henderson,
Senator Allison and other public men OF
that section, and they regarded him high
ly.
In 1874 he and family moved to Au-
dubon county, settling near Extra and
living there till 1882 when they moved
to Audubon to the very pleasant home in
the south part of town they occupied at
the time Of his death. Mr.. Davis was
member of the board of supervisors of
this county at the time the county seat
was moved from Extra to Audubon. He
was always highly regarded in this
county and his friends were very numer-
GUS.
There were born to Mr.. and Mrs.
Davis five children, Anthony, Oscar,
Sanford, Annie and leila, all of whom
ara living except Oscar and Sanford.
Annie is Mrs. McAninch, OF Extra and
leila is Mrs. Smith, of Chicago, while
Anthony lives near Extra. These child
rem with nine grand children and with
the aged and devoted wife, mourn for
the departed.
The funeral was Monday at 2 p. m. at
the Presbyterian church, the sermon
being delivered by Rev. f. b. Cousins.
The Masonic lodge at this place, OF which
deceased was a member, had charge of
the ceremonies. Burial was in Maple
Grove cemetery.