George Washington Davis
George Washington Davis, farmer, is a son of Daniel Davis, who was born and reared in Loudon, Virginia; and married Malinda Gee, of Maryland, which resulted in seven children: Thomas, David, George W., Mary, Robert, Joseph, and Stephen H. Our subject alone survives; Robert died at Good Hope, April 2, 1881.
In the fall of 1818, he located on the farm now owned by William Brannon, but one year later moved to the present farm of our subject. With the exception of a small clearing, all was woods; the house they occupied being a rude cabin. The land, one hundred and thirty acres, was purchased by William McLaughlin, a portion of the purchase money being paid to General Massie, who held a mortgage for the same, which was a part of the Baron Steuben survey. He was a shoe-maker and cooper, enjoying a large patronage. His usual charge for making a pair of shoes was twenty-five cents. Being lame, he did not participate in the war of 1812, but had several brothers in the service. His wife was a member of the Catholic Church. He was no church member, but an honest and good citizen, and died May, 1840; she, September, 1864.
Our subject was born June 22, 1807, in Loudon County, Virginia, and came to this township with his parents. He has lived on this farm, save four years, from 1839 to 1845, when he lived on the Hillsborough road. Most of the clearing on his land was done by him.
He was married December 1, 1831, to Susan, daughter of William Pace, of the same neighborhood. She bore him eight children: Infant Emily, Armanus, Ann J., James, Scott H., Henry Clay, Milton, Mildred; Infant and Mildred are deceased.
All of the sons were in the late war: Armanus and Scott in the one hundred days service, at Cynthiana; James in the 114th O. V. I., at Vicksburg, Black River Bridge, etc.; Scott volunteered again at the end of his one hundred days enlistment; Milton was in the 2d Ohio Heavy Artillery; Henry in the 74th O. V. I., one of the most gallant regiments in the service. Henry was slightly disabled, and James went through heavy trials, but came out unharmed. All honor to this family, and their heroic devotion to the country.
Mr Davis is a Republican, having cast his first vote for John Q. Adams. He has been constable, and a member of the Township Board of Education for many years, assisting in erecting several of the present fine school houses.
Mr. Davis owns one hundred and thirty-five acres of land, on the Good Hope pike, well improved, which is farmed by his sons, Scott and Milton, to grain and stock.
From R. S. Dills' History of Fayette County