- WILL DAVIS, who is engaged in the livery, feed and sale business
in Janesville, is a representative
- of one of the early families of Rock County. He traces his
ancestry back to Wales. In 1684 William DAVIS came from that
country to America. His son James had three sons - Jacob, Samuel,
and Zeba. The first-named had a son, also named Jacob, who was
the father of four sons and six daughters. Jasper, the third
son, was born in Clark County, Ohio, and came with his parents
to Milton, Rock County, in 1844, making his home for a few days
with Joseph GOODRICH. On the 28th day of August, 1852, he married
Lavina R. BROWN, who was born in Scott, N.Y., July 19, 1829.
When five years of age she was taken by her parents to La Porte
County, Ind., and ten years later to Rock County, Wis. Immediately
after their marriage, the young couple removed to Waushara County,
Wis., where they remained five years, and then returned to Milton,
Rock County, where they resided until their death. The former
died Feb.. 25, 1885, and the latter Oct. 7, 1886. They were the
parents of two children; Rosa E., born Sept. 14, 1855 is the
wife of G. S. AFALTER, and resides at the late parental home
in Milton Junction. She was married April 30, 1889. William J.
was the second-born, his birth occurring Jan. 2, 1857.
- The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm, receiving
his education in the common schools,
- and followed agricultural pursuits until attaining his majority.
He then embarked in the livery business at Milton, where he continued
about two years. In 1880, he came to Janesville, and established
his present business in this city. He is a young man of good
business ability, fair and honorable in his dealings, and has
secured a liberal share of the public patronage. His stable has
all the modern conveniences, and is stocked in a first-class
manner.
- On the 22d day of December, 1886, Mr. DAVIS was joined in
wedlock with Miss Anna
- GOODRICH, the ceremony being performed in Milton, in which
town the lady was born. She is a daughter of Ezra GOODRICH, whose
father was the founder of Milton, and the first storekeeper in
that place. The union of Mr. and Mrs. DAVIS has been blessed
with one child, a little daughter, Lucile GOODRICH, who was born
Jan, 4, 1889. Mrs. DAVIS is a member of the Milton Junction Church
the Seventh Day Baptists, and Mr. DAVIS is a Republican in politics.
Though they have resided in Janesville but a short time, this
worthy couple have gained many friends in their new home, and
are highly esteemed by all who know them.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 953.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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