Benjamin DAVIS – Charity BELLIS
Research: David Davis; St Louis, MO; dda3@primary.net
Suzanne DeCamp; Adele, IA;
Text Copyright  1999-2003; David W. Davis
1
Benjamin DAVIS [1],[2],[3],[4],[5]
————————————————————————————————————————
Birth Date:
19 Apr 1832[1],[2],[3]
Birth Place:
Baltimore Co, MD
Death Date:
27 Feb 1918, age: 85[1],[3],[4],[5]
Death Place: Rockwell Home, Grant Twp, Montgomery Co, IA
Burial Date:
28 Feb 1918, age: 85[1],[5]
Burial Place:
Essex Cemetery, Pierce Twp, Page Co, IA
Occ:
Farmer, Owned Furniture Store, Bank Director
Reli:
Christian Church
Father:
James DAVIS (1803-1858)
Mother:
Elizabeth ZIMMERMAN (1807-1872)
[1] [1918]
Obituary of Benjamin DAVIS; "The Sun", Red Oak, Iowa; 1 March, 1918:
"Benj. Davis, prominent resident near Nyman since 1855, died Wednesday, Feb 27, about noon at the home of
his daughter, Mrs. F. P. Rockwell, in Grant Township. He was in his 85th year and had been in failing health for some
time.
"He was born in Baltimore, Md, Apr 19, 1832, moving with his parents while still a small boy to Prebble County,
Ohio. Before he became of aged he moved to Jay County, Indiana and in 1853 was married there to Charity Bellis.
They came to Iowa in 1855, locating on a farm near Nyman, where Mrs. Davis died in 1887.
"Mr. Davis is survived by seven children, as follows: Mrs. Mary Rockwell, Grant Township; Mrs. Almaretta
Buckingham, Greenwood, Neb; J. B. Davis, Golden City, MO; Elizabeth Barnhart, Omaha; Mrs. Addie R. Wright,
Memphis, Tenn; Frank M. Davis, Lincoln, Neb; Mrs. Anna Shoemaker, Page County. One sister, Mrs. Nancy
McConnaha of Baxter Springs, Kas, also survives.
"The funeral of Mr. Davis was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Rockwell at 2 o'clock yesterday (Thursday)
afternoon. The services were in the charge of the Red Oak Masonic Lodge, Mr. Davis having held membership here
for over 50 years. Rev. J. A. McKenzie of the Christian church assisted in the services and burial was in the Essex
cemetery.
"Mr. Davis was for many years a prominent figure in the community. He was a large land owner and a good
business man. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers National bank of Red Oak and served as a member of
the board of directors for many years, declining re-election the first of this year on account of the state of his health.
He wa a companionable man whose honesty and fairness won him the esteen of all with whom he was thrown in
contact. In his death the community has lost one of its best citizens. Sadness fills the hearts of many friends who
extend their sympathy to the sorrowing family."
[2] [1832]
"Benjamin DAVIS was born April 19, 1832 in Baltimore County, MD and went with his family to Ohio
and Indiana, where as he grew up he helped his father clear and till the land. Mother told me that he was a twin....I
think that [he] did not live, but I am not sure.
[1854]
"In 1854 he married Charity BELLIS, and in 1855 set out for Iowa together with the families of
George and Henry Binns and settled in Page Co, Iowa. He was one of a large family….Record shows his brother
William came in 1859 (to Iowa). I never saw him (Uncle Bill) but knew his wife and family"....quote by Mary Ellen
DAVIS (Aunt Ellen).
[6] [1855]
"The tide of emigration in those days was bearing many to the frontier, where it was believed honest
effort would be honestly rewarded. In 1855, two years after his marriage, we find Mr. DAVIS and his young wife
equipped for the journey; when he had reached Page County he found it a land of great promise, and purchased 160
acres of land, a portion of his present farm. This was partly timber and partly prairie and had no improvements. He
built a log house, which stood near the site of his present dwelling.
" The first year he broke twelve acres of land with four yoke of oxen, his corn and other supplies had to be
brought from Missouri, and he went to mill at Rockport, a point forty miles distant. After the first year, however, he
had no difficulty in providing abundantly for his family.
.."From time to time he added to his farm until he owned 1,160 acres.
[1887]
"Three years ago he divided 720 acres among his children. He and his son Frank own 640 acres of
Kansas land. After the first quarter section bought from the Government, he paid on average nineteen dollars per
acre.
" Mr DAVIS enjoys the fullest confidence of his fellow citizens, as has been attested during the past twenty years
by their calling him to various positions of trust and honor. He is one of the original members of the Masonic order at
Red Oak, Iowa, assisting in the organization of Montgomery Lodge, No 57. He has taken eleven degrees in Masonry
and is a member of the Council"...pp. 775-776.
[7] [1901]
"Farmer's National Bank was organized in 1901. Benjamin DAVIS, Director."
[2] [1918]
"Grandfather Benjamin DAVIS died February 27, 1918 in Red Oak, Iowa, which is in Montgomery
County. But he lived on a farm in Page County where he owned hundreds of acres and was an extensive raiser of
cattle. He banked, shopped, etc at Red Oak.".....Iona B. LEWIS (1962)
[5] [1918]
"Certificate of Death"; by Informant son-in-law Frank ROCKWELL, whose home Benjamin DAVIS had
lived for several years in Red Oak. Attending physician, W. S. Kerley(?), MD certified death occurred from Cystitis
___, which Davis had for 'several months', and died 27 Feb 1918, 12am.
[The Certificate is inaccurate* on several vital statistics.)
Full Name:
Benjamin DAVIS
*Date of Birth: 04 May 1830
*Birthplace:
Ohio
*Father:
Jack DAVIS
Mother:
Elizabeth ZIMMERMAN
Burial Place:
Essex Cemetery
Burial Date:
28 Feb 1918
Undertaker:
M. O. Hinth (?), Red Oak, IA
Registrar:
G. H. Summer, MD; 02 Mar 1918
Spouse:
Birth Date:
Birth Place:
Death Date:
Death Place:
Burial Date:
Burial Place:
Father:
Mother:
Charity BELLIS [1],[8],[3],[9]
25 Mar 1833[1],[2],[8],[3]
Near Trenton, Hunterdon Co, NJ
18 Jul 1887, age: 54[1],[2],[3],[10]
Page Co, IA
19 Jul 1887, age: 54
Essex Cemetery, Pierce Twp, Page Co, IA
Adam (Jr) BELLIS III (1788-1850)
Rachel WOLVERTON (1791-1876)
[6] [1855]
"Through all his good fortune Mr. DAVIS has attributed his success to the constant encouragement
and aid of his inestimable wife. She was a woman of education and keen perceptions, fondly devoting her whole life
to the care of her family. She was called from earth in 1886, at the age of fifty-five years, beloved and mourned as
only a true mother can be."..p 776
Marr Date:
Marr Place:
31 Jan 1854 [1],[3]
Jay Co, IN
Children:
Mary Ellen (1854->1918)
Almaretta (1856->1918)
James Bruce (1858-1931)
Elizabeth "Betty" (1860-1929)
Olive M. (1863-1909)
Ada "Addie" Rachel (1865->1918)
Frank Miles (1868->1918)
Amy "Anna" Jones (1870->1918)
1.1
Mary Ellen DAVIS [6]
————————————————————————————————————————
Birth Date:
16 Jul 1854 [2]
Birth Place:
Jay Co, IN
Death Date:
aft 1918, age: 63 [1]
[1]
[1917]
Spouse:
Death Date:
Mary Ellen cared for her father Benjamin DAVIS in her home near Red Oak
(Grant Township) home for several months prior to his death in 1918.
Frank ROCKWELL [6]
aft 1918 [1]
1.2
Almaretta DAVIS [1],[6],[4]
————————————————————————————————————————
Birth Date:
3 Mar 1856 [2],[4]
Birth Place:
Page Co, IA
Death Date:
aft 1918, age: 61[1]
[1] [1918]
Living in Greenwood, NB at time of father Benjamin DAVIS' funeral.
Spouse:
A. D. BUCKINGHAM [1],[6],[4]
1.3
James Bruce DAVIS [11],[12],[13]
————————————————————————————————————————
Birth Date:
25 Aug 1858 [11],[2],[12]
Birth Place:
Page Co, IA
Death Date:
21 Sep 1931, age: 73 [12],[13]
Death Place: Barton Co, MO
Burial Place:
Moorehead Cemetery, (east of) Lamar, Barton Co, MO [14],[12],[13]
Occ:
Farmer[ 12]
[15] [1884]
"17 Jan 1884, James B. DAVIS and Mollie C. BARNHART lived in Grant Township,
Montgomery Co, IA"
[14] [1917]
[1927]
"Member of Republican Committee from Newport, 1917-1918"
"Member of Planning Committee for new electric generating plant, 1927."
[1]
Living in Golden City, MO at time of father Benjamin DAVIS' funeral.
[1918]
Spouse:
Birth Date:
Birth Place:
Death Date:
Death Place:
Burial Date:
Burial Place:
Occ:
Father:
Mother:
Mary Catherine BARNHART [11],[16],[13]
8 Aug 1861[11],[2]
Cumberland, MD
30 Apr 1941, age: 79 [2],[12],[17],[13]
Barton Co, MO
2 May 1941, age: 79[14],[12],[17],[13]
Moorehead Cemetery, (east of) Lamar, Barton Co, MO
Homemaker[12]
Thomas BARNHART (1823-1880)
Hannah HALL (1823-1903)
[17] [1941]
Obituary of Mary C. DAVIS: (deleted)
'Burial was made in Moorehead Cemetery near Bushnell (MO) beside the grave of her late husband.'
Marr Date:
Marr Place:
14 Mar 1883 [16],[12]
Page Co, IA
[16] [1883]
"..united in Holy Matrimony by Rev. C. W. BREWER"...HHB
Children:
Guy Leroy (1884-1960)
Philip Barnhart (1886-1965)
William Seber (1888-)
Benjamin (1890-1970)
Karl L. (1893-1976)
John Thomas (1901-1984)
1.4
Elizabeth "Betty" DAVIS [1],[18],[4]
————————————————————————————————————————
Birth Date:
5 Dec 1860 (6 Dec)[14],[4],[19]
Birth Place:
Fremont Twp, Page Co, IA
Death Date:
22 Aug 1929, age: 68[19]
Death Place: Omaha, NE
Burial Place:
West Lawn Cemetery, Omaha, NE[20]
[1] [1918]
Living in Omaha, NB at time of father Benjamin DAVIS' funeral.
Spouse:
Birth Date:
Birth Place:
Death Date:
Death Place:
Burial Place:
Occ:
Father:
Mother:
John Philip BARNHART [16],[4]
2 Jan 1858 [16],[2]
Curwensville, Clearfield Co, PA
6 Apr 1944, age: 86 [19]
Omaha, NE
West Lawn Cemetery, Omaha, NE [20]
Western Union Telegrapher, RR Agent
Thomas BARNHART (1823-1880)
Hannah HALL (1823-1903)
Lived in Section 4; Fremont Township, Page Co, IA
Marr Date:
Marr Place:
Marr Memo:
2 Apr 1879 [16],[18],[4]
Page Co, IA
Married by JP's father, Thomas BARNHART
[16] [1879]
"..united in Holy Matrimony by Rev. Thomas BARNHART.."..HHB
Children:
Iona Grace (1880-1974)
John Philip (1889-)
Beatrice Hazel (1891-)
Frances Elizabeth (1894-)
1.5
Olive M. DAVIS [6],[4],[9]
————————————————————————————————————————
Birth Date:
16 Mar 1863[2],[4]
Birth Place:
Fremont Twp, Page Co, IA
Death Date:
Aug 1909, age: 46[3]
Death Place: Greenwood, Cass Co, NE
Spouse:
Marr Date:
Charles WEIDEMAN [6],[4]
1 Mar 1883[4]
Children:
Ralph Davis
Alta Mae
1.6
Ada "Addie" Rachel DAVIS [2],[3],[4]
————————————————————————————————————————
Birth Date:
8 Oct 1865 [2],[4]
Birth Place:
Fremont Twp, Page Co, IA
Death Date:
aft 1918, age: 52 [1]
Occ:
Teacher
Educ:
Shenandoah College
[1] [1918]
Living in Memphis, TN at time of father Benjamin DAVIS' funeral.
Spouse:
WRIGHT [1]
1.7
Frank Miles DAVIS [1],[6],[3]
————————————————————————————————————————
Birth Date:
26 Mar 1868[2],[4]
Birth Place:
Page Co, IA
Death Date:
aft 1918, age: 49[1]
Educ:
Shenandoah College
[1] [1918]
Living in Lincoln, NB at time of father Benjamin DAVIS' funeral.
Spouse:
Alfreda HELSTROM [6]
1.8
Amy "Anna" Jones DAVIS [3],[4]
————————————————————————————————————————
Birth Date:
8 May 1870 [2],[4]
Birth Place:
Fremont Twp, Page Co, IA
Death Date:
aft 1918, age: 47 [1]
[1] [1918]
Living in Page County, IA at time of father Benjamin DAVIS' funeral.
Spouse:
SHOEMAKER [1]
SOURCES
1.
2.
3.
4.
"The Sun", Red Oak, IA, 1 Mar 1918, DAVIS File; DWD.
Letter: Iona B. Lewis (To Dorothy Rohm), 6 Aug 1962, DAVIS File; DWD.
Wilson BELLIS Family History, 1816-1882 [DAVIS File], Published 25 Jun 1989, Paul R. Sarrett, Jr,.
'Hough Family Groups'; www.famgen.net/hough/fam00101.htm, 28 Jan 2003, Curtis Hough;
countryboy_36@hotmail.com.
5.
“Certificate of Death, Benjamin DAVIS, State of Iowa,” 02 Mar 1918, Montgomery Co, IA, 69-1258, (Copy) &
Dig Image; 29 Aug 2000, DWD Davis File.
6.
"Biographical History of Page County, IA", W. L. Kershaw, S. J. Clarke Co., 1890, pp 775-776.
7.
'History of the County of Montgomery, Iowa", W. W. Merritt, Sr.
8.
'Hohl-LeMieux' GEDCOM, 2 Nov 2000, Erik Hohl <el_capitano@uswest.net>.
9.
DAR Patriot Line; "Pvt NJ, Adam BELLIS", 37th Star Chap DAR, SW Nebraska; rdack@swnebr.net.
10.
Tombstone: Essex Cemetery, Page County, Iowa; Photo by James W. DAVIS c. 1990; DWD
"CHARITY wife of BENJ DAVIS, died July 18, 1887"
(additional information unable to be read from photo)
11.
“Baby Book of B. Neil DAVIS,” by Vera H. Davis, 1940, Copy in Davis Files; DWD.
12.
“Baby Book of Michelle L. DAVIS,” Informant: James W. DAVIS (grandfather), Dec 1987, pp 11-13.
13.
DAVIS Tombstone: Moorehead Cemetery, Barton Co, MO; Personal Visit, 05/2001, DWD
14.
Personal records of James W. Davis, abt 1960, DAVIS File; DWD.
15.
“'Authenticated Birth Record', 19 May 1942, Montgomery Co, IA, Original, DAVIS File; DWD.
16.
"Mother's Reminiscence",” by Hannah Hall BARNHART, 1901, Ellis HALL, Julian, PA;
BARNHART File; DWD.
17.
“Obituary of Mary Catherine DAVIS,” 'Lamar Democrat", Lamar, MO, from Tom Kelly, Reno, NV.
18.
UNKNOWN BARNHART UPDATE 1901-1939, 1 Oct 1939, DAVIS File: DWD.
19.
Pedigree Chart, 01 Jan 1992, Suzanne DeCamp (sdecamp@email.adel.k12.ia.us).
20.
Suzanne DeCamp, 17 Oct 2002, DWD Files.
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