The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-11-12
Death of Enos Davis

IorCaBe I county, Onlo, July 5l, 1915, and
died at his home in Osceola, la, Nov, 6
1908, aged 81 years, 3 months and 27
days. He was son Of William and
Phoebe Whitaker Davis, the former a
native OF Pennsylvania, and the latte,
Of South Corlinia.
In early days his parents moved to
White Pigeon, Mich, and he was married
to Mary Anthony at Ontario, Ind, by
the Rev. Wm. Jones, Presbyterian
minister, making 65 years of welded
life together. -Four children were born
to them. Pariel Marium, and Homer A..
deceased, and Charles A. and George r.
In the fall OF 1848, Mr.. Davis and family
located in what is now Garden Grove
township, being one Of the first three
settlers, the others being his father
Win. Davis and Ozran Kellogg. OF these
Mr.. Davis is the last ono to pass away
Garden Grove was one of the temporary
settlements of the Mormons when en-
route to Salt Lake City from Nauvoo in
the early spring of 1846. These three
settlers bought the improvements made
by the AOHmons. At that time this
was supposed to be the only settlement
In Decatur county. MIR. Davis did q
good business showing land which was
held by claim number of years. Set
tiers formed q protective society to pre-
vent spectators from enjoying peace
ful possession Of land that was already
occupied or claimed. In the fall of 1853
Mr.. Davis entered land in Franklin
township, which he helped to organize
and name, and was tho first Justice of
the peace. In 1862 no returned to
Garden Grove township and bought a
farm on Gospel Ridge, after which they
temoved to the farm on Tick Ridge,
where they resided until failing health
f both compelled them to build neat
cottage at Osceola, where they could be
close to and cared for BY their son,
George, and where he has resided until
he passed away last Friday morning.
Nj. Davis leaves to mourn his death, an
aged wife, "a years old, two sons,
George and Charles, also two grand
daughters, Mrs. J. W. Writ and Mrs.
VIM. Martin, OF Parsons, Kas., and
several other grandchildren - also one
brother, Amas j., who resides near We'll
don, Iowa, the last surviving brother of
large family of children. Mr.. Davis
had been sick for several years but bore
his sufferings without murmur, await
AtS1k VliO udy "AOu ll0 WONlu NC az rGSU
with his God. Often times when
asked and could not speak, his
feeble hand would point toward heaven
and speak the word rest. He was a
kind and affectionate father and ap-
preciated his relations to others as a
member Of the same human family, shar-
ing common duties and cares, common
Joys and sorrows, all children of the
tsame Heavenly Father and needing the
Ithe love Of one another as we'll as the
grace and mercy OF heaven. His
thoughts for his home embraced the
higher wants and the richer culture of
his people. He knew the charms of
nature and the inspiration of healing
Influences, of great landscapes and wide
visions Of earth and sky, of forest trees,
of birds and bees.
His remains were brought from Osce-
ola Monday noon and wero taken in
charge by the Masonic lodge of Garden
Grove, Of which he has been a faithful
member since 1878, after which the fun
eral cortege conveyed him to tho beau
tiful Garden Grove cemetery, to await
the resurrection morn when we will all
be gathered home. After the services
Of the Masonic lodge, Rev. Goodsell
made short address of his life's work
in this country and Of the many trials
which were encountered in early pioneer
days. Tho funeral was one of the
largest ever held in the county, friends
and neighbors for miles around came to
attend. Masonic Knights from Osceola,
Humeston and Leon were in attendance,
which showed the respect in which he
was held. His aged wife, who is under
the care of Mrs. Craigo, at Leon, was
able to attend the funeral, although
very feeble aud in poor health. The
floral offerings we're many and beautiful
A lovely pillow, from the grand.
daughters, at Parsons, Kansas, also an
autumn wreath from one Of the grand
children, Mildred Davis, Of Osceola, and
a bouquet Of mammoth whith chrysan.
themums from Max and Katharine, OF
Parsons, Kansas. The grave was lined
with chrysanthemums and evergreens
by loving friends at Garden Grove and
vicinity. In respect for this aged citi
zen, the business houses in Garder
Grove were closed during the services