Winn Area Centennial History Book- Winn, Michigan 1876-1976

Aaron Davis

The subject of this review is a prosperous farmer and belongs to the once great but now rapidly diminishing army, which during the five years our nation was in the throes of the most terrible civil war known to history, defeated the hosts of treason, restored the Union, and rendered any further attempts at rebellion forever impossible.

Aaron Davis, third son and fifth child of John R. and Rebecca (Claypool) Davis, was born in Licking County, Ohio, on the 30^th day of July, 1843. His father and mother were born natives of Licking County and were born in 1809 and 1811 respectively, and their marriage, which took place there, was solemnized on March 14, 1830. Their children in order of birth were: James, William, Elizabeth, Nancy and Aaron, all except the subject, deceased.

Aaron Davis was reared after the manner of most country lads and spent the early part of his life in the fields during the summer months and in the winter attended the school of his neighborhood. He remained home until 22 years old and then married a young lady, Mary Ann Smith, who was born October 22, 1845, in the same locality, and with whom he had been acquainted since childhood. The ceremony by which they were made man and wife was solemnized on the 21^st day of October, 1866, and from that time until his removal eight years later to Michigan, he followed agricultural pursuits in his native county and met fair success at his vocation.

Shortly after the breaking out of the Civil War, Mr. Davis enlisted in the Sixth Ohio Volunteers, a regiment composed of sharp-shooters, who were selected by reason of their skill as marksmen, each being obliged to pass a rigid test before he was accepted. His regiment was attached to the Army of the North and saw much active service during the campaigns in Tennessee, Georgia and other states, taking part in some of the bloodiest battles of the war, including Chickamauga and Chattanooga, going from the latter place to Atlanta and becoming a part of the force under General Sherman. After the reduction of that stronghold, Mr. Davis did not part in the celebrated “March to the Sea,” but went with his regiment to Nashville to help check the Confederate force under Hood, which suffered a crushing defeat at that place under General Thomas. When Lee surrendered, Mr. Davis was at Eastport, Mississippi. Later he took part in the Review at Nashville and at the close of the war was present at the funeral of President Lincoln.

Receiving his discharge at Camp Chase, Ohio, at the expiration of his term of service, he returned home where he was married in due time, as already stated, and where he continued to reside until 1874, when he came to Isabella County, Michigan, and rented one hundred acres of land a half mile south of Dushville, where he lived until his removal to his present farm in Fremont Township the following year.

Mr. Davis purchased 40 acres in the above township and at once began improving the same. In due time all of the timber was removed and the soil reduced to tillage and at intervals good buildings were erected and the farm put in splendid condition. He has now a beautiful and attractive dwelling equipped with many of the comforts and conveniences which lighten the housewife’s duty, and make rural living desirable. He also has a substantial barn and the necessary outbuildings, together with good fences, a successful system of drainage, and various other improvements, which add materially to the appearance and value of the farm.

Mr. Davis is a member of Cedar Ridge Lodge, No. 540, I. O. O.  F. in which he had held the offices of Chaplin Vice-Grand and Vice Supporter, and also belongs to the Grange, in which he has long been an active and influential worker.

He is a Democrat in politics and as such has been zealous in promoting the success of his party, though not an office seeker or aspirant for any kind of public preferment, he served 12 years as Justice of the Peace, however, and proved very capable in discharging his duties. Most important business was brought to his court, and such were the impartial nature of his rulings and the justness of his decisions that few if any appeals were taken from the latter to a higher tribune.

Mr. and Mrs. Davis are the parents of seven children, whose names are as follows: Robert, married to Flora Hetherington and lives in Fremont Township; Ola, wife of Ed Bellinger, lives in Lincoln Township; Lydia, who married L. Hetherington, moved to New Mexico some years ago where her death subsequently occurred; Smith, whose wife was formerly Clara Terry, is a farmer in Fremont Township; James, who is unmarried, lives at home and helps cultivate the farm; Mary, now Mrs. Clinton Root, lives at Hope, Idaho; and Olive, the youngest member, is deceased.

Aaron Davis, July 30, 1843-1912- buried in Taylor Cemetery, Fremont Township, Michigan.

Mary Ann Davis, October 22, 1845-1921- buried in Taylor Cemetery.

Olive May, 1888-1889-buried in Taylor Cemetery

Transcribed by Joan Van Spronsen

Photos by Randy Davis