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Ancestors of Loren Wesley Davis

Generation No. 3

      4. Daniel D. Davis^9,^10,^11,^12,¹³, born September 02, 1833 in Moravia, Morgan Co., IN; died February 02, 1922 in Woodburn, Clarke Co., IA - burial Woodburn Cemetery, Woodburn, IA. He was the son of 8. Isaac Davis and 9. Mary Johnson. He married 5. Laura Ann "Ann" Wayman September 24, 1868 in Keokuk Co., IA ¹⁴.

      5. Laura Ann "Ann" Wayman^15,¹⁶, born August 08, 1837 in near Melmore, Seneca Co., OH; died February 24, 1925 in Woodburn, Clarke Co., IA - burial Woodburn Cemetery, Woodburn, IA. She was the daughter of 10. John Wayman and 11. Mary Smith.

Notes for Daniel D. Davis:
Daniel moved with his parents to Iowa near Richland in 1846. He worked in a shoe shop, clerked in a store, and was also a supply teacher in the Richland schools. When the Civil War broke out he volunteered his services. He tried to join the infantry, but was rejected on account of being under weight and height. He volunteered for cavalry service and became a member of Co. D, 9th Iowa Cavalry. On November 12, 1865, he was promoted for meritorious conduct to the rank of 1st Sergeant Co. D. May 2, 1866, he was again promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, in which capacity he had served 2 months previous to the close of the war. The commission was dated back to January 20, 1866. He received an honorable discharge from the service February 28, 1866.
While in the war, he was sent out with a detail of men for foraging. They had to do that sometimes to get something to eat besides hard-tack which occasionally would go wormy and had to be toasted so the worms would crawl out before they ate it. He said some of the men would take all the poor Southerners had to eat but he would not do that and leave them to starve. They heard about a place where they could get some cured hams to eat, and the woman there was a fine southern lady. She asked Daniel if he could give her some coffee, and he gave her all he had.
The Corporal of his regiment had his wife with him part of the time and they had a little daughter named May. (Dan and Ann named their daughter May after her).
When he came back from the war he married Ann Wayman Wade, a war widow. They lived at her farm near Richland. Just south of the Star School house on this property was an old building that later was used as a stock shelter or feed room. Through the 1880's this sheltered an interesting bunch of Star pupils, the five sons and one daughter of Dan and Ann. Dan was the school director for many years. (In 1885 he farmed in the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Sec. 30, Richland Twp., Keokuk Co).
After the children were grown, he sold the farm near Richland to Roy Nordyke (son-in-law to Alice Wade Vastine - Ann's daughter by her first husband). They moved to the Pine Tree Stock farm near Woodburn, IA, in September of 1901. He formed a partnership with his sons - Charles, Fred and Isaac and engaged in farming and stock raising under the firm name of Daniel Davis and Sons. The partnership was dissolved after Isaac's death, and Daniel and his wife moved to Woodburn. He was born and raised a Quaker and held to that faith.

Notes for Laura Ann "Ann" Wayman:
Laura Ann Wayman was born August 8, 1837, in Melmore Co., Ohio. With her family, Ann (Laura was called by her middle name) emigrated to Iowa from Ohio by the covered wagon route in 1854. This family, which included ten children, left behind a nice new house when coming from Ohio to Iowa. In Ohio, they had a spring which ran through their cave and kept things cool. They also had a peach orchard and all kinds of fruit and nut trees. Ann's mother was almost an invalid while having her children, making Ann the chief cook and housekeeper to the whole family. She had to stay home from school at least once a week to wash, iron, cook, and bake and so lost interest in school books. In spite of this, she did learn to read, write, spell and do some arithmetic. She was converted in the M.E. Church at Richland when about 18 years of age, but joined the Baptist church at her father's request and remained a faithful member until it was discontinued.
After Ann and John Wade were married they went to housekeeping in a small frame house that Moses Warner had built in his yard for a cheese house. Here their first child, Alice, was born.
Ann's father gave the 1/2 acre for the Star School. He gave her and her sister Jane each 20 acres of land. Ann bought Jane's share and so she and John had 40 acres (1/2 acre of which the Star School was on) and they built a small house. Then came the Civil War, that desolated many homes, and Johnny enlisted in the 40th Iowa on August 12, 1862. On April 10, 1864, he was wounded at Prairie Anne, Arkansas. He died five days later near Camden, Arkansas.
Ann sawed lumber, and pulled it to the yard with a rope around her waist where she built a lean-to summer kitchen. Their young son, Johnnie, was taken ill with dysentary and died. He is buried in the Halferty Cemetary, west 1/2 mile from Star School. Her oldest, Alice, was very ill also, and Ann cared for her day and night. After about 3 weeks of being ill, Alice begged for some cabbage that was cooking. Ann gave her a little juice, and from then on she improved fast and was soon well and strong. Once Ann had only $5.00 that was badly needed to feed the children. A preacher came and talked her out of the money, quoting about the widow's mite. Her son Lincoln never liked preachers after that.
After the war was over, Ann married Daniel Davis, and they continued to reside in the same home, later moving to Woodburn, IA, in 1901. In 1918 she joined with the M.E. church, which was the church of her choice, at Woodburn and remained a member until her death. Her life was filled with the love of service to others with little thought of self. Ann passed away on February 24, 1925, in Clarke Co., IA.

Children of Daniel Davis and Laura Wayman are:

Charles Sylvester Davis^16,¹⁷, born August 29, 1869 in Keokuk Co., IA; died April 23, 1927 in Woodburn, Clarke Co., IA - burial Woodburn Cemetery; married Maude Mabel Evans January 23, 1905 in Woodburn, IA; born April 23, 1882 in Lucas Co., IA; died April 12, 1961 in Osceola, Clarke Co., IA - burial Woodburn Cemetery.

Notes for Charles Sylvester Davis:
At the early age of twelve years, his father having met with an accident which temporarily disabled him for farm work, Charlie put his hand to the plow, and soon became an able assistant on the farm. When he was about 18 years of age an uncle in Georgia offered him the position of overseer on his plantation. He spent one and a half years in this position. Returning to Richland, IA, he again took up his farm duties to which he added the buying of stock and the business management of the farm. He served in the Spanish-American War.
In 1901, he with his father and brothers Fred and Isaac, formed the firm of Dan Davis and Sons. They became the proprietors of the Pine Tree Stock Farm which occasioned their removal from Richland to Woodburn. Here they carried on a successful business until after the death of Isaac. In autumn of 1918 the firm was dissolved.
In 1905 he was married to Maude Mabel Evans and they had one child, Clare Marie. He owned a prime 400 acre farm near Fairfield, IA, and two tracts of land in Woodburn, IA. They were both in the east part of town, one being seven acres and the other a farm. The acreage contained a "miniature farm". A fine house was built by Charlie there about 1910, and was one of the most modern at that time. Also on this land was a large flower garden, chicken house, barn, hog house, and auto garage. This house still stands in Woodburn - it is located on the first gravel street to the east as you go down the hill into the town. (It is the third to the last house on the north side). The farm near Fairfield had to be sold for taxes when he died during the Depression.
He joined the order of Odd Fellows at an early age and kept up his affiliations with that lodge until the day of his death. In religious faith he held to that of the Friends and he was never to busy to perform an act of kindness, to sit up with the sick or comfort those in trouble. Always an accomodating neighbor, a kind father and husband he will be much missed in this community. He served on the Town Council of Woodburn from 1921-1925.
His grandson remembers being told that his grandpa died of a heart attack shortly after carrying a heavy box of tools from the house up the hill to the barn on the acreage at Woodburn.

ii.

Eugene "Jean" Davis ¹⁸, born April 21, 1871 in Keokuk Co., IA; died March 01, 1937 in Libertyville, Jefferson Co., IA - burial Brethren Cemetery, Ollie, IA; married Anna Belle Yule December 12, 1891 in Keokuk Co., IA; born October 18, 1875 in Richland Twp., Keokuk Co., IA; died January 20, 1957 in Richland Twp., Keokuk Co., IA.

Notes for Eugene "Jean" Davis:
Jean was born south of where the Star School house in Richland Twp., Keokuk County, IA, was located. He was a farmer, and the family lived near Woodburn, IA, for awhile then located back to the Richland area, where they lived four miles west of Libertyville until a year before his death. At this time, they moved into a house two blocks east of the square. He had been in poor health, but apparently no worse than usual until a few hours before his passing. Services were held in the Allen Funeral Parlors.

iii.

May Davis, born May 1873 in Keokuk Co., IA; died Aft. 1927; married Charles Benjamin Martin I October 07, 1905 in Woodburn, IA, at her parent's home ¹⁹; born April 22, 1879 in Woodburn, Clarke Co., IA.

Notes for May Davis:
In 1918 at Bozeman, Gallatin Co., Montana. In 1922 at Laurel, Yellowstone Co., Montana and in 1927 at Livingston, Park Co., Montana.

	iv.	Roy Davis, born March 30, 1875 in Richland Twp., Keokuk Co., IA; died April 12, 1944 in Richland, Keokuk Co., IA; married Lulu Estelle Yule March 15, 1896 in Richland, Keokuk Co., IA, at her parent's home; born January 06, 1878 in Richland Twp., Keokuk Co., IA; died October 06, 1956 in Fairfield, Jefferson Co., IA.
2	v.	Fred Davis, born March 16, 1877 in Keokuk Co., IA; died April 15, 1956 in Des Moines, Polk Co., IA - burial Laurel Hill Cemetery, Des Moines, IA; married Georgia Willa Pownell March 13, 1905 in Osceola, IA, at her parent's home.
	vi.	Isaac Davis ^20,^21,^22,²³, born August 25, 1879 in Keokuk Co., IA; died March 05, 1918 in Lorraine, France.

Notes for Isaac Davis:
Isaac was born August 24, 1879, in Keokuk Co., IA. He came with his parents to Woodburn in 1901, where he was engaged in a farming partnership with his father and brother. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Woodburn since January 1902. Isaac received his first experience as a soldier during the Spanish-American War in Company F of the 50th Iowa Infantry. He enlisted in June, 1898, and was in training in Florida for five months after which he was honorably discharged in November, 1898.

From article in Clarion, Iowa newspaper:
"Off to War" "Richland township has furnished two more soldiers who will fight for Cuba Libre and to avenge the Maine. James Ramsey and Isaac Davis departed last Thursday evening for Keokuk, Ia., where they passed the examination and were mustered in as recruits for Co. H. of the 50th Ia., stationed at Jacksonville, Fla., to which place they were taken immediately. James Ramsey is the eldest son of A.J. Ramsey, of this twp., who fought for Uncle Sam for more than three years of the Civil War. A.J. was a good soldier and no one doubts that Jim will prove as good a one. That he is not going to war for the $13 per month is proven by the circumstances which attend the case. Jim has out a large crop and he was compelled to hire a man to take care of it, paying him $18-$20 per month, thus you see he is actually paying, out of his own pocket, an amount equal to $5 or $7 per month for the privelege of fighting to free Cuba. Isaac Davis is the youngest son of Daniel Davis, of this city, who was also one of Uncle Sam's fighting men, at a time when men of iron nerve were needed. Isaac is but little more 18 years old and many prophesied that he would not pass an examination, but when one is anxious to go to war as was Isaac there is not likely to be trouble in securing a position to go. With such excellent men to represent this township it need not be afraid that its record in this war will not be a glorious one. All honor to Richland boys in blue and may God be with them in this fight for Humanity in which they have taken part."

He enlisted again in WWI on May 28, 1917, in Company B, Third Iowa Infantry (later the 168th U.S. Infantry of the Rainbow Division).
Isaac was killed on outpost duty at Lorraine, France, on March 5, 1918, by a high powered shell, the first casualty from Clarke County. He was buried at Baccarat, France. Memorial services were held at the Woodburn Methodist Church on Sunday morning, March 17, 1918. Addresses were given by Rev. Purdy of the Christian Church and Rev. Henderson of the Methodist Church. The choir composed of singers from both churches sang patriotic and sacred songs. On June 6, 1921, his body was brought back to Woodburn, and services were conducted by Chaplain Robb of the 168th Infantry.
Isaac was a splendid man with an honest, clean, Christian character. He was a faithful member of the church and enjoyed Christian service. At the time of his enlistment he was president of the Epworth League, and a member of the board of stewards.
The Davis-Pence Legion post of Osceola was partly named after Isaac. The Davenports of Woodburn and Des Moines collected $80.00 in 1919 or 1920 to help beautify the Evening Tribune's base hospital park at Fort Dodge. It is called the Isaac Davis Court. At this time, his father was 87 and his mother was 84.
Dora Chacey, one of Isaac's teachers at Richland, Iowa, remembers this about him in her Pioneer Life stories from a 1936 Richland newspaper:
" I can vision Isaac as a very small school boy, blue-eyed, wide awake little fellow, stepping around the school yard with such long manly strides, and making quaint remarks for one so young. At Literary Society he was usually called on for "select reading". He no doubt thought reciting a little poem too childish. Stepping up on the front platform with a book in his hand he proceeded to read a short prose selection he had memorized at home. Always an ideal pupil, and a fine fellow. Isaac, a veteran of the Spanish American War, and and early volunteer of the World War, member of the celebrated Rainbow division, was the first fatality that really struck home to the people of this vicinity. We realized for the first time the actual horror of the war, being wagered so far away."

.

6. James Weldon Pownell^24,²⁵, born November 14, 1858 in Romney, Hampshire Co., West Virginia; died January 29, 1933 in Broadland, SD - burial Maple Hill Cemetery, Osceola, IA. He was the son of 12. Isaac James Pownall and 13. Rebecca Larimore. He married 7. Amanda Belle Pownall December 27, 1880 in French's Depot, Hampshire Co., WVA ²⁶.

7. Amanda Belle Pownall²⁷, born December 02, 1859 in Cumberland, MD; died April 14, 1946 in Osceola, IA, at her daughter, Mrs. K.L. Garris' - burial Maple Hill Cemetery. She was the daughter of 14. John Arnold Pownall and 15. Elizabeth Ann Shawen.

Notes for James Weldon Pownell:
James was born in Romney, West Virginia. He was united in marriage to Amanda Bell Pownell on December 28, 1880, at French's Depot, West Virginia, by Rev. E.G. Vandiver. (James had changed his surname from Pownall to Pownell).
James was a railroad laborer. They came to Woodburn, Iowa, April 1, 1903, and made this their home for two years. They then moved to Osceola and resided there until 1915 when they moved to Broadland, South Dakota. This had been their home until James' death.
He confessed faith in Christ while a young man and united with the Methodist Episcopal church at Three Churches, WVA. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, also the Order of Yeomen for a number of years.
James passed away after an illness of a little more than two years at his home in Broadland, S.D. on January 29, 1933. He was a faithful and loving father and husband. He often spoke of desiring to pass away quietly and he was granted this favor, for while others were excited over a fire in the town, he quietly fell asleep. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 1, at the Webster Funeral Home at Osceola, IA.

Notes for Amanda Belle Pownall:
Amanda, daughter of Arnold and Eliza Pownall was born in Cumberland, Maryland, Dec. 2, 1959. She was united in marriage to James W. Pownell on Dec. 27, 1880, and to this marriage were born seven children, five girls and two boys.
Mrs. Pownell was a member of the Methodist Church at Broadland, S.D., and also a member of the Woodman Circle. She had made her home at Broadland for 24 years, previously living in Clarke County, IA, for 17 years. Since 1944, she had made her home with her daughter, Mrs. K.L. Garris, in Osceola, Iowa. Amanda passed away on Sunday, April 14, 1946, at her daughter's home. Services were held at the Webster Funeral Home on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m.

Children of James Pownell and Amanda Pownall are:

Holland Larimore Pownell ^28,²⁹, born July 15, 1890 in Romney, Hampshire Co., West Virginia; died July 18, 1963 in St. John's Hospital, Huron, SD - burial Broadland Cemetery; married Alice Johnston December 11, 1912 in Broadland, SD; born January 06, 1891; died February 03, 1963.

Notes for Holland Larimore Pownell:
Holland "Holly" Pownell was a longtime resident of Broadland, SD. He moved with his family from Romney, West Virginia, to Woodburn, IA, in 1903. They then moved to South Dakota in 1909 to a farm near Broadland where he lived until December, 1962, when he retired and moved to Huron. He was a member of the Broadland Methodist Church, charter member of Old Michigan Grange and a member of the Farmer's Union.

ii.

Adelia Blanche Pownell ^30,³¹, born September 25, 1881 in Hampshire Co., West Virginia; died June 19, 1953 in Moville, Woodbury Co., IA - burial Arlington Cemetery, Moville, IA; married William Alfred Vollenweider March 25, 1908 in Osceola, Clarke Co., IA; born April 13, 1875 in Williams, IA (first child born there); died December 27, 1949 in Moville, Woodbury Co., IA - burial Arlington Cemetery, Moville, IA.

Notes for Adelia Blanche Pownell:
Blanche was married at her parent's home on Wednesday, March 25, 1908, at 8:00 in the evening to William Vollenweider. Rev. Davis of the M.E. Church performed the ceremony in the presence of near relatives and a few intimate friends. After congratulations light refreshments were served. The Vollenweiders left the following day for their farm home near Hitchcock, South Dakota.
Blance had met William when he came to visit friends in Osceola, after he had been living near Hitchcock and had built his home there. They moved to Hitchcock on the farm and lived there for 38 years. They moved to Huron in 1946 where they remained three years before moving to Moville in 1948. William died the following year.
Blanche was active in work of the Federated Church and was a member of the Women's Guild and the Royal Neighbors of America.

iii.

Nettie Myrtle Pownell ³², born September 12, 1883 in Hampshire Co., WV; died May 29, 1915 in Osceola, Clarke Co., IA - burial Maple Hill Cemetery, Osceola, IA.

Notes for Nettie Myrtle Pownell:
Nettie came to Iowa with her parents in the year 1903, the last ten years being spent in Osceola where she has made many friends.
She was converted in childhood, and always lived a devoted Christian life, sacrificing her pleasures for the good of others. She united with the M.E. church about ten years ago and was a regular attendant, always being in her place in the Sunday school as long as she was able to be there. She had been in poor health for a long time and suffered very much but she bore it all cheerfully and uncomplainingly. She was on a visit to friends in the country when she was taken worse and lived but a few days.
She expressed her willingness to go, and looking up into her mother's face said she was going home. Nettie was a good kind girl, and in the home which she has made bright by her presence she will be greatly missed but heaven will be the brighter for her coming.
She leaves to mourn her departure a father and mother, four sisters and two brothers, Mrs. Blanche Vollenweider and Hally L., of South Dakota, Mrs. Bessie Garris and Mrs. Willa Davis of Woodburn, Iowa, and Wesley and Ada of this city, all being present at the funeral except Holly and Bessie.
The funeral was held at the home of her parents Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. in charge of Rev. Boyers, and the body laid to rest in Maple Hill.

iv.

Bessie Pearl Pownell ^33,³⁴, born October 10, 1886 in Romney, Hampshire Co., West Virginia; died November 23, 1962 in Osceola, Clarke Co., IA - burial Ottawa Cemetery, Woodburn, IA; married Kay LeRoy Garris March 31, 1906 in her parent's home, Osceola, IA; born November 06, 1885; died April 05, 1972 in Osceola, Clarke Co., IA - burial Ottawa Cemetery, Woodburn, IA.

Notes for Bessie Pearl Pownell:
Bessie was united in marriage at the home of her parents in east Osceola, on March 31, 1906, to Mr. Kay Garris. The ceremony took place at 7:00 p.m., Rev. S.D. Harlan officiating, and Miss Marcia Smith and Mr. Edward Bowman as attendants. The bride and groom are well respected members of the community. On Sunday evening a reception was given at the home of the groom's parents. The Woodburn band, of which Mr. Garris is a member, gave them an appropriate serenade. They were the recipients of many useful presents. They will take immediate possession of Mr. Garris' father's farm 2-1/2 miles northwest of Woodburn.
They farmed in the Woodburn area until 1927, when they moved to Osceola and Kay went into the coal and bottle gas business. They were members of the Christian Church at Woodburn. Kay was always willing to give a helping hand to a friend or stranger. The motto over the door of their home read, "He who enters is but a stranger once".

	3	v.		Georgia Willa Pownell, born June 05, 1888 in Romney, Hampshire Co., West Virginia; died March 31, 1963 in Des Moines, Polk Co., IA - burial Laurel Hill Cemetery, Des Moines, IA; married Fred Davis March 13, 1905 in Osceola, IA, at her parent's home.
		vi.		Wesley James Pownell ³⁵, born September 17, 1896 in Hampshire Co., WV; died August 05, 1919 in Osceola, Clarke Co., IA.

Notes for Wesley James Pownell:
Wesley was born September 17, 1896, in Hampshire Co., WVA, and passed away at the home of his parents on August 15, 1919, in Osceola, IA. Wesley enlisted in the U.S. Army on July 14, 1917, at Creston, IA. He served in the American Expeditionary Force in France from September 6, 1918, to December 20, 1918. He was discharged from service on February 17, 1919. Before he set sail for France he developed a slight attack of diabetes. This was not serious enough, however, to keep him from going. After arriving in France the malady commenced to develop in a violent form which compelled him to spend much of his time in a hospital. When he returned to the U.S., he had become such a prey to the disease that no medical help promised relief.
If pluck and high hopes would save, Wesley would be alive today for no one was endowed with greater tenacity than he. He wanted to live and so expressed himself with great confidence that it hardly seemed possible that he should go so quickly from us. He was endowed with the qualities that made friends and retained them. He loved his home and country with a devotion that not life itself was counted too dear a sacrifice upon its altar. Services were held at the M.E. Church on Thursday at 3:00, with interment at Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola.

vii.

Ada Belle Pownell, born July 16, 1900 in Romney, Hampshire Co., West Virginia; died May 12, 1977 in Huron, Beatle Co., SD - burial Riverside Cemetery, Huron, SD; married Frank L. Tolar January 23, 1918 in Hitchcock, SD, at her sister Blanche's home; born September 26, 1886; died August 27, 1955.

Notes for Ada Belle Pownell:
Ada moved to the Broadland, SD, area in 1917. She married Frank at Hitchcock and they lived in the Hitchcock community for ten years at Wessington before moving to Huron in 1940. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Colfax Rebekah Lodge, Huron Area Senior Citizens, Senior Choraleers, American Legion Auxiliary and World War I Barracks Auxiliary. .

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