Biography of Ebenezer R DAVIS
Nicollet and LeSueur Counties, Volume II (biographies), William Gresham, 1916
EBENEZER R. DAVIS
The late Ebenezer R. Davis was a native of Canada, but counted among the
pioneer band who found their way to LeSueur county, Minnesota. He was
born in 1832, a son of Orange Davis who left the Dominion of Canada in
1837 with his family, to escape being drafted into the army. Ebenezer R.
Davis was only five years of age at the time his parents moved from his
birthplace to New York state, where they spent some time, then moved on
west as far as Pike county, Illinois. They remained there until 1853,
when the father, Orange Davis, came to LeSueur county, securing a tract of
land from the government on the shores of Lake Emily. The next year the
family joined the elder Davis, who divided his time between farming and
making shingles. He was an industrious and honorable citizen of LeSueur
county, who bore well his part in a wild, unsettled country. He died at
St. Peter, to which place they had retired; his wife died at her
daughter's home, at Lake Emily. these good people had endured the
privations and hardships only known to pioneers in Minnesota, in the
fifties and sixties.
Ebenezer Davis, son of Orange Davis and wife, was only a mere boy when he
accompanied his parents to Illinois from New York state. In 1850, during
the gold excitement in far-off California, young Davis joined the throng
of fortune-hunters in that country. He remained in California until 1852,
when he returned to Illinois, and with his mother and the other members of
the family, came to Minnesota in 1854, the father having immigrated here
in 1853, preparatory to the coming of his family. Ebenezer R. remained at
home until 1855, when he obtained land in his own name, the same now being
known as the Gault farm, which he sold in 1858, purchasing the one he
later lived on for a half century. He was united in marriage in 1855 to
Louisa J. Pettis, born on November 7, 1837, daughter of John and Ann
(Cummings) Pettis. Mrs. Davis' parents, however, had died when she was
yet quite young, the mother passing away in Ohio and the father was
stricken by cholera in St. Louis, Missouri, the same year. The daughter
was taken into the home of an uncle, Charles Pettis, who brought her with
the family to LeSueur county, where they made their home on the shores of
Lake Emily. It was there that Charles Pettis made his permanent home,
remaining until overtaken by death in 1857, while his wife survived him
and lived to a ripe old age. In the John and Ann Pettis family there were
six children born, three of whom are still living. These besides Mrs.
Davis are her brother, Charles, who makes his home with her, and Thomas,
who resides in Illinois.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis lived on their farm at Kasota for over fifty years, and
there he died on May 11, 1909, and after that sad event, Mrs. Davis moved
to St. Peter, purchased a handsome residence on North Minnesota avenue,
where she has since made her home. In numerous capacities Mr. Davis had
been associated with those things which were calculated to develop this
county and state. In the first instance, it was he who aided in making
the original survey of the town plat of St. Peter, he having carried the
chain for the surveyor in charge. In addition to operating his farm he
was connected with the management of the Kasota flouring-mills. Many a
pioneer recalls him as having a stirring, enterprising way about him,
which caused him to be much admired by his fellow citizens.
In all charitable works, helping the worthy poor and unfortunate, Mr.
Davis was ever foremost. His religion was of that type that caused others
to be happy and live exemplary lives in the community. Many persons
living in this and adjoining counties, have reason to cherish his name for
his generosity and sterling traits of character. No children were born to
Mr. and Mrs. Davis, but the childhood and youth of many in the community
knew them as fast friends, and mourned with older ones when he passed
away. (pages 264-265)
Contributed by Doug Peterson