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Daniel Davis

Photo in source book

In the death of the honored subject of this sketch, which occurred at his home in Fayette, Iowa, on January 28, 1897, the community lost one of its most estimable and high minded men and the county of Fayette a public spirited citizen, whose place it is difficult to fill. A devoted husband and loving, indulgent father, a keen and sagacious man of affairs, he acted well his part in life, wielded a strong influence for good, and in his removal there passed from earth one who in a large measure had dignified his manhood and honored the race.

Daniel Davis was born in Randolph, Vermont, on May 25, 1826, and he inherited the sturdy qualities of his New England ancestors. He was reared on the paternal homestead and secured a good, practical common school education. Soon after attaining his majority he determined to seek his fortune in the new Eldorado of the West and from 1850 to 1853 he resided in California. Like many others who did likewise, he returned to his native state, where he remained until 1867, when he came to Iowa, locating in Masonville. In 1874 he came to Fayette and engaged in the banking business, in which line he continued, with uniform success, for a number of years. He was a man of unusual penetration and discernment in business affairs. During his residence in Fayette he was numbered among the leading and representative citizens of the community and he was always a prominent and influential factor in advancing its best interests, and at his death it was felt that the community had suffered a distinct and irreparable loss.

No better testimonial could be offered as showing the estimation in which Mr. Davis was held by his fellow citizens, than the following extract from resolutions passed by Pleiades Lodge No. 248, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which the deceased was a faithful and appreciated member :

Daniel Davis was a man of extensive reading and of wide and varied information, which, coupled with ability of apt expression and a social disposition, made him a most instructive and entertaining companion. He was possessed of excellent business qualifications and was a man of unusually sound judgment in every respect. He had a thorough acquaintance with all questions of the day and had given much thought and study to many subjects to which the majority of people gave but little attention or none whatsoever. The opinions reached by him on all questions were the result of his own independent thought and judgment after study and investigation and not the echo of the conclusions of others; as he was independent in forming his own conclusions, so he was firm and fearless in the expression of them. Though never seeking controversy, he was at all times abundantly able to defend his views with strong and cogent reasoning. He was no time server ; he never trimmed his sails to catch any breeze of popular approval. He was a man of kind heart and generous impulses, which traits were frequently shown in most practical and efficient ways. He aided many people in the best way by helping them to help themselves, and many a discouraged man has been inspired with hope and many a humble home has been cheered and gladdened by his substantial aid and encouragement. He was a good citizen, a kind neighbor, a man whose integrity was never questioned, one whose word was as good as his bond.

On June 16, 1856, at Randolph, Vermont, Mr. Davis was married to Charlotte O. Bruce, a native of that state, and they became the parents of seven children, namely; Mrs. J. W. Neff, of West Union ; George Albert, of Fayette ; Franklin James, William Jacob, Mrs. C. H. Addington, Emma Gay Davis and Lotta Bruce Davis. Fraternally, Mr. Davis took a keen interest in the work of the Masonic fraternity, of which he had been a member for many years, and by his brethren he was held in the highest regard.

~transcribed for the Fayette Co. IAGenWeb Project by Judy Boie