My Genealogy Hound

John B. Davis. Among all classes and under every condition one of the things most to be desired by a man is the respect and esteem of those among whom he dwells and with whom he mingles day by day. Not unfrequently some are met who sincerely deserve these qualities, as in the present instance. John B. Davis enjoys to an unlimited extent the unbound confidence of all with whom he is acquainted, and while popular personally he is none the less deserving of respect as an agriculturist, for success is written on all his operations. So intimately is he identified with the history of Granby Township, that a brief outline of his life seems imperative. He is a native Missourian, born in Washington County, September 26, 1827. His father, John Davis, was a native of Maryland, and came to Virginia with his parents when two years old. His mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Pearsall, was of French descent. John Davis came to Washington County, Mo., in 1811, and when his son, John B., was four years of age he removed to St. Francois County, Mo., and there resided until his death. John B. Davis was reared a farmer, and in 1851 came to Newton County, Mo., where he worked from 1851 to 1861 at the carpenter trade. After the war he engaged in farming and stock raising, and now owns 200 acres. He was married February 10, 1859, to Miss Lucinda Yancy Richardson, a daughter of Nathan Richardson. She was born in Tennessee, February 10, 1839, and died February 10, 1860, leaving one son, Nathan Y. A singular coincidence is, that her birth, marriage and death occurred on the same day of the same month in the respective years of their occurrence. In 1861, determined to support the principles he believed to be right, Mr. Davis became a member of the First Battalion of Missouri troops. He was captured in Scott County, Ark., October 8, 1863, and taken to Fort Smith, thence to Little Rock, and from the latter place was confined in McDowell College building at St. Louis. Later he was removed to Alton, and finally to Akins Landing Va., for parole, and sent inside of the Confederate lines, but never, to his knowledge, was he exchanged. He was held a prisoner for seventeen months. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a good citizen. His son, Nathan Y., was born in Newton County, in 1860, and was reared in this county on a farm. He has been twice married: first in 1882, to Miss Ida M. Price, a native of Lexington, Mo. She died October 26, 1884, leaving one child, John Paul. His second marriage occurred January 6, 1885, with Miss Alice Davidson, a native of St. Louis, Mo., and to this union was born one daughter, Mary Lucinda.