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PREFACE

The stories unfolded in this book came to light as an outgrowth of curiosity that started one day when my son, David, began to ask a series of questions concerning our ancestors. I found his queries to be beyond the scope of my limited knowledge since the name of my Davis grandfather was all I could recall - I knew nothing more about what he did or where he had lived. I became a little distressed as I realized that there was a vast area of personal concern in which I was totally ignorant. It seem-ed to me that we should become cognizant of our ancestors but, at that mo-ment, I didn't know where to begin. Procrastination gave me some momentary relief but would never satisfy David, who began to carry on his own private inquiry and search by way of our local historical organizations.

It was a momentous occasion when David acquired an historical record sheet, which revealed the names of a number of our ancestors including his great great grandfather, David D. Davis and family of eight children. It was Fred Elvin Inlow of Medford, Oregon that had submitted this family re-cord sheet to the Historical Society and we were very elated and filled with hope as we realized that here was a man that might help us to obtain more information about our ancestors. I recall a moment of wonderment as I set to the task of writing Mr. Inlow for we didn't know if he would care to respond to our requests for information - but at that time we didn't know Mr. Inlow either. Since our first communication, we have learned to know "Cousin Fred" quite well and we have enjoyed some very rewarding ex-changes of correspondence. We have gathered more information than we had ever expected to find and Fred gave us our initial start.

Today, many other young people are curious to know who their great great grandparents were and what these ancestors did in the olden times. Today, there is a considerable interest developing in the minds of young people to understand the happenings of bygone times and some of the young adults of our day, are beginning to favor the lifestyles of their pioneer relatives and emulate their way. Unfortunately, most people are in the same fix that we were - they do not know who their ancestors were.

Harvey W. Scott, the early editor of "THE OREGONIAN" and also an early traveler to Oregon in 1852, said it well and quite prophetically as he wrote the following words in 1901:

"The story of the toilsome march of the wagon trains over the plains, will be received by future generations almost as a legend on the borderland to myth, rather than veritable history . . . . The realities of it seem half fabulous . . . . Mystery was in the moment . . . . that profound impulse which from a time far preceding the dawn of history, has pushed the race . . . . to discovery and occupation of Western lands".

This story of OUR DAVIS PIONEER ANCESTORS is an attempt to bridge the generation gap so that those of the latter generations can better understand and appreciate our pioneer heritage. At this point, you probably know only a little about who our forefathers were and perhaps even less or what they did in their lifetimes. Probably, it is fair to say, you know a lot more about Christopher Columbus, Daniel Boone or George Washington than you know of David D. Davis . . . . May I have the privilege of introducing you to your ancestral family?

E.E.D.

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