Biography of Albert Eben Davis, Pike County, Illinois

Nicollet and LeSueur Counties
Volume II (biographies)
William Gresham, 1916

ALBERT EBEN DAVIS

Albert Eben Davis, well-known farmer and stock raiser and a citizen active in the official life of Kasota township, LeSueur county, Minnesota, was born at Lake Emily, Kasota township, on May 21, 1879, a son of Henry C. and Melissa (Pettis) Davis, natives of Pike county, Illinois, the former born on July 6, 1844, a son of Orange P. and Adelaide (Barlow) Davis; the latter born on February 7, 1842, a daughter of Charles and Sarah (Hosford) Pettis.

Orange P. and Adelaide Davis were natives of Canada, living in that country for many years, after which they moved to New York state, later going to Pike county, Illinois, where Orange P. Davis lived as a farmer until 1853, when he came to Minnesota and homesteaded one hundred sixty acres of land in Kasota township, where he established a home and with his wife lived there for the remainder of their days. Orange P. and Adelaide Davis were the parents of ten children: Thomas, S. William, Orange R., Ebenezer R., Louisa B., Isaac B., Sarah Ann, Caroline, Harriett and Henry C.

Henry C. Davis was but ten years of age when he came with his parents to Minnesota, where he finished his education and became a farmer, working on the home place until he had reached maturity, after which he pre-empted a quarter section of land in Kasota township, this county, and lived for many years as a successful farmer of this community, at one time owning four hundred and sixty acres of excellent land in LeSueur and Nicollet counties, Minnesota. In addition to his agricultural pursuits, Henry C. Davis, for some years, was a well-known auctioneer of LeSueur county, crying many of the large sales in this part of the country.

Henry C. Davis was prominent in the official life of LeSueur county, serving as deputy sheriff for many years, as well as having served as constable of Kasota township, during several terms. Politically, Mr. Davis was a Republican. During the time of the Indian outbreak Mr. Davis was a member of the defensive forces and had a part in several engagements which resulted in the subjugation of the blood-thirsty Indians. Mr. Davis was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and together with his wife was an active member and worker of the United brethren church. Henry and Melissa Davis were the parents of nine children: Chester H., Lily M., Ella (deceased), Annetta, Stella M., Albert E., Cecil I., C. Roscoe and Harriet F.

Melissa Pettis moved from her native home in Pike county, Illinois, and then, in 1854, with her parents, moved to Minnesota, where the father homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Kasota township, LeSueur county, establishing a home on the north side of Lake Emily, where the elder Pettis conducted a store in connection with his agricultural pursuits. The parents, Charles and Sarah Pettis, had a family on nine children: Stephen W., Catherine F., John L., Anna B., Olive G., Melissa J., Emily F., Charles C. and Henry F.

Albert Eben Davis received his early education in the common schools of Kasota township, LeSueur county, after which he was a student of the St. Peter, Nicollet county, public schools, for three years. Following his school days Mr. Davis became a farmer, living on the old home place at Lake Emily for about three years and then, in 1904, he purchased his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Kasota township, LeSueur county, where he now lives and engages in general farming. In addition to his general farm activities, Albert Eben Davis makes a specialty of stock raising dealing chiefly in Durham cattle and Poland China hogs.

On June 14, 1904, Albert Eben Davis was married to Bessie Kendall, who was born in Washington township, LeSueur county, Minnesota, a daughter of John and Caroline (Hugunin) Kendall. To the marriage of Albert and Bessie Davis have been born two children: Leslie Kendall and Alberta Eloise.

Albert Eben Davis has been a member of the township board, for eight years and during the past five years has been chairman of the board. He has served with his usual efficiency as a member of the school board and is conceded to be one of the valuable citizens of LeSueur county, in which he is so widely known and highly respected. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Kasota. (pages 449-450)
Contributed by Doug Peterson