Notes
Note N549
Index
Farmer.
Notes
Note N550
Index
Said to be "of Centralia (Mo)", in her father's obit.
Notes
Note N551
Index
She earned an AB degree in Science, Math and Literature from the University of California at Berkley in 1923. In 1924, she taught at Bishop, California Junior College and later in various parts of California. After vacationing in Hawaii in 1926, she remained and taught there two years. In 1932 Ruth became Advertising Manager of Hales Department Store, San Francisco and later became Department Manager in charge of Women's Apparel. In 1932, she earned her MS degree in Educational Psychology. After two more years of teaching, she married her husband. She received Counseling credentials at Stanford University in 1937 and became counselor with Modesto Junior College where she developed a program for international students. After retiring in 1966, she counseled and accompanied students attending the Sorgbonne in France.
Notes
Note N552
Index
Granted 100 acres by her dad's will. Was not yet 21 years old at the time her dad wrote his will on 5 July 1801.
Notes
Note N553
Index
He was granted 221 acres of land by his dad's will
Notes
Note N554
Index
He served in WW II. Becasue of defective vision, he was assigned to an Army Division making roads and preparing lumber from Washington State for supply to the Army. Vernon and his wife Verna bought a quarter section of land eleven miles south of Madera and developed a prosperous raisin vineyard and alfalfa farm. They raised their children on that farm.
SSDI lists birth date as 26 June 1894, not 1896.
Alternate birth date given as 28 Jun 1894 on Find-a-grave.
Notes
Note N555
Index
Census lists occupation as Farm Laborer. Identified as of Missouri, in the reference.
"Wm. J. Davis, Founder of Lockwood, Lain to Rest. It would be impossible to write a history of the development of western Dade county during the past fifty years, and especially the city of Lockwood, and not pay tribute to the memory of the late William James Davis, the founder of Lockwood. While Mr. Davis has been growing more feeble each year, and apparently not in the best of health, yet last fall as the winter winds begun to blow, he decided to again go to Florida to spend the winter. He had established this custom years ago, and while he always anticipated much pleasure in the spending of the colder months in that mild climate, yet he always returned anxiously to his home in Lockwood in the spring. This time, however, Mr. Davis' friends were not able to congratulate him upon his return; were not able to tell him that they were glad he was again at home, Friday afternoon, Mr. W. Henry Davis received a message informing him that his father, the late William James Davis, had passed away suddenly that afternoon. The home-coming this time was one of sadness for his family and many friends. The body arrived Tuesday on a morning train.
Mr. Davis was born in Saratoga county, New York, and passed away at Bradentown, Florida, March 7, 1924, lacking but twenty days of having reached his ninetieth birthday. He grew to manhood in New York state and later, with his parents, moved to DeKalb county, Illinois in 1861. He was married to Sarah A. Kellogg of Earlville, Illinois, in 1861. Three children were born to this union, two daughters and one son, each of whom survive. They are: Mrs. Minnie B. Rollman and Mrs. Susie E. Polston, each of whom reside on farms adjoining Lockwood and William Henry Davis of Lockwood. His wife, Mrs. Sarah A. Davis, passed into the great beyond at her home in Lockwood, October 12, 1911, at the advanced age of 81 years. The deceased is survived by his three children, eight grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren, besides other relatives and a host of friends. In 1892 he was married to Mrs. Bertha C. Heisey of the King's Point neighborhood, who has preceded him to the great beyond.
Mr. Davis came to Dade county in 1869 and purchased land for a farm in the then wild prairie, part of which is now the city of Lockwood. He gave the land for the right-of-way on which the Frisco railway is now located, platted the town and named it Lockwood, in honor of the general passenger agent of that road. In order to encourage the building of homes and to stimulate interest, he gave lots to everyone who would erect a building on the same. He also gave lots and money toward the erection of each of the churches of the town, with a possible single exception. He gave the block of land where the school is located, as well as the block occupied by the small park in the southeast part of town. Mr. Davis erected the first building on the present site of Lockwood, and was the town's first postmaster. His exhibitions of livestock, fruits and grasses on the then small street of the town was the initial work of what has developed into the Dade county fair, one of the oldest similar organizations of the state. The fair grounds are a part of Mr. Davis' original farm.
Mr. Davis was a man who loved God's out-of-doors, nature, and enjoyed the works of the Divine Architect in the material world. Industry and tenacity of purpose were his watchwords. He enjoyed fishing more than any other recreation, and delighted in exhibiting many rare specimen of forest, field and stream. The deceased was a Baptist in belief, yet he never united with any church organization. He was the oldest living member of Lockwood I.O.O.F. lodge, being one of its charter members. He had filled all the chairs of the subordinate lodge, and also the encampment. He had filled the chairs of Past Grand, Past Chief Patriarch, and Deputy Grand Patriarch, as well as having been a member of Olive Rebekah Lodge.
As long as Dade county history is read, written or talked about, the name of William J. Davis will always find a place upon its pages.
Funeral services were held at Lockwood Methodist church on Wednesday afternoon. The sermon was delivered by the local pastor, Rev. Roy L. Brown. Songs were beautifully rendered by a male quartet composed of Dr. S.M. Bishop, Earl J. Caldwell, J.K. Peer and Otho H. Keran. Burial was at Lockwood cemetery on a lot which Mr. Davis had selected and arranged to his liking a number of years ago. Burial was under the direction of the local I.O.O.F. lodge."--20 Mar 1924, Greenfield (MO) Vidette