JOHN H DAVIS
DIES AT AGE 112
At the home of Daughter, Two miles south of Bainbridge - ARDENT DEMOCRAT - Had been voter since 1846; was supporter of Roosvelt.
John Henry Davis, who at 112 claimed to be Ohio's oldest resident died in his daughter's home two miles south of Bainbridge.
He had lived through four wars, although an injury in childhood prevented him from participating in any of them. He had voted with one or two exceptions, in every election since 1846. An ardent Democrat, he could argue volubly in behalf of the Roosvelt administration almost until the time of his death.
In 1937, he had 12 living children, 49 grandchildren, 108 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great-grandchildren.
Mr. Davis' grandparents were Virginia slaveholder's, and adherents to Jefferson's party. He himself was born in Campbell County, Virginia on May 23, 1825, the son of John and Melinda Davis. His family moved to Indiana; and he could recall seeing horses pull an early railway train up a steep incline, outside Madison, Indiana. That was in 1835, Mr. Davis said.
Orphaned early, John Davis went to live with the family of Elias Cartwright, near Portsmouth. Elias was the son of William Andrew Cartwright, circuit-riding preacher and co-founder of the Christian Union Church, of which Mr. Davis become a member.
Enchre and visiting with friends and relatives who came to call constituted Mr. Davis' chief pleasures more recently. About three years ago he was hurt in a fall, while on a fishing excursion and since that time had been confined to his bed or wheelchair.
Surviving are eight sons: William of London, George of Milledgeville, Joseph of Lake View, Perry and Cleveland of Greenfield, Hester of Sabina, Harley of Xenia and Lewis of New Vienna. Four daughters survive: Mrs. Iva Gregg of Waverly; Mrs Leota Snively of Wilmington; Mrs Faye Trego of Greenfield; Mrs. Clara Beatty of Bainbridge (with whom he made his home).
Funeral services were held Friday at 2 p. m. at White Oak Church near Latham. Burial was made in the adjoining cemetery.
Waverly, Ohio Newspaper
October 21, 1927
Copyright © 2008 (OI)
Pike Co. Genealogy & Historical Society
P. O. Box 224, Waverly, Ohio 45690