The
family of which Alfred Davis is a representative is an old and well
known one in Macoupin county, where the family was established only a
few years after the admission of Illinois into the Union. Mr. Davis was
born in Brighton township, on the 8th of December, 1840, and within the
borders of the county he has since continued to make his home He is a
son of William J. and Margaret (McPeak) Davis, natives of North Carolina
and Tennessee respectively. The father came to Macoupin county in 1829,
locating in Brighton township, and here engaged in farming until 1844,
when he took up his abode near Woodburn, where he continued to reside
until his death, on the 24th of February, 1865. His wife had passed away
in 1860. In their family were seven children, as follows: Elizabeth,
Cynthia and Barbara, all deceased; Alfred, of this review; Martha, also
deceased; David, a resident of Beaver Dam Lake; and Mary, who has
likewise passed away.
Alfred Davis acquired a good education in
the common schools of Bunker Hill township and after putting aside his
text-books learned the blacksmith’s trade, which he continued to follow,
while residing at home, until the outbreak of the Civil war. He then
offered his services ho the Union and for nine months served as a
private in the One Hundred and Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
After returning home he purchased his father’s farm near Woodburn in
1866, and later removed to Brighton township, where he carried on
agricultural pursuits until four years ago, when he sold his farm to his
son and, with a substantial competence which he had been able to
acquire, he took up his abode in Woodburn, where he now owns a
comfortable home and six town lots. He has now put aside all business
cares and is living retired, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of
his former years of toil.
In 1862 Mr. Davis was married to Miss
Sarah Elizabeth Goodman, and by this union were born ten children,
namely: Margaret and Alfred, both of whom are deceased; James J., who
owns the old homestead farm; John, a resident of Beaver Dam Lake; Amos,
of Edwardsville; Addie, the wife of Herman Elies, of Woodburn; George,
who lives in Nebraska; Hattie W., residing at Bethalto, Illinois; Ida,
who married Hiram Eddington, of Brighton, Illinois; and Minar A.,
deceased. Mrs. Davis died February 3, 1895.
The religious faith
of Mr. Davis is indicated by his membership in the Congregational
church, while politically he supports the republican party. Having spent
his entire life within the boundaries of Macoupin county he is widely
and favorably known here and is recognized by his fellowmen as a worthy
representative of an honored pioneer family.
Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 390-393.
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