WILLIAM C. DAVIS

FROM: The History of Gallatin, Saline, Hamilton, Franklin, and Williamson Counties, Illinois (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1887).  P. 692-693

          William C. Davis, farmer, was born December 15, 1825, in Muhlenberg County, Ky., the second of seven children of Amos and Elizabeth (Cain) Davis, the former of Welsh descent, born about 1800, in Kentucky, and the latter of Irish parentage, and also a native of Kentucky.  They remained after their marriage in Muhlenberg County until our subject was four years old, when they moved to Warwick County, Ind., where the father engaged in carpentering until 1834.  After that until their deaths, in 1837 and 1872 respectively, they lived in White County.  The mother afterward married John C. Lee, by whom she had two children -- one living.  Our subject, educated in the common schools of White County, came to Hamilton County after the death of his mother, and began to work for Adam Crouch.  In October, 1845, he married and lived on his farm, purchased near Belle City, for ten years.  He then bought the farm now owned by John Grier, a mile and a half south, and moved there.  In March, 1865, he enlisted in Company L, Sixth Illinois Cavalry, and served about nine months; mustered out at Selman, Ala., and honorably discharged at Springfield.  In December, 1880, he sold part of his farm and moved to his present home in Section 35.  The most of his land is improved, and by hard work he has acquired altogether 200 acres.  His wife, Jane, daughter of John P. and Nancy (Ward) Warfield, was born June 15, 1827, in Hamilton County, Ill., and their marriage occurred October 29, 1845.  She died July 1874. 1871.  But six of their eight children are living.  Elizabeth, wife of William Walters; Rebecca, wife of William Standerfer; Mary; John A.; Nancy, wife of John Williams, and Alice, wife of Charles Smith.  He is a Democrat, first voting for Cass.  He has been constable of Crouch Township eighteen years, deputy sheriff two years, and township trustee thirteen years.  His daughter Elizabeth is a Methodist, while Rebecca and John are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.