John Henderson Davis Biographical Review

JOHN HENDERSON DAVIS, of section 29, Huntsville, is numbered among the substantial farmers of Schuyler county, where he has resided since 1854. He was born in Rutherford county, Tennessee, September 15, 1819, being a son of John and Mary (Bishop) Davis. John, Jr., was but a small boy when his father died. He was one of three children: John, James M., residing in Carthage, Missouri and Polly, now Mrs. John Lomax. When John was eight years old the mother and other children came to Illinois and first settled in Green county, near Whitehall, and later moved to Morgan county, near Jacksonville. From there they went to Winchester, Scott county, and from there to Brown county, settling in Pea Ridge township, where the mother died. John was reared on the farm in Brown county and bought a farm in Brown county, where he resided until 1854, when he settled where he now resides. He purchased at first land that was entirely uncultivated, but now has 300 acres of as good land in as fine condition as any in the county. On this farm are excellent farm buildings. He has farmed and dealt in live stock for many years. He was married in Brown county to Maria Beckam, born in Ohio, daughter of George and Abigail Beckam. She died in 1867, leaving ten children, namely: William H., and youngest sister, Cornelia, residing in Pratt county, Illinois; John W., married, resides in Huntsville township; James M., married and residing in Huntsville; Minerva, married to Newton Binkley, and resides in Hancock county; Emily, married to Luther Benson of Harper county, Kansas; Louisa, married to John Swoap, of Adams county; Nancy, wife of William Adams, residing in Adams county; Charles H., at home; next, one that died in infancy; Alexander, married, and is living in Carroll county, Missouri. Mr. Davis is a Democrat in politics, but has never wanted office. He is a man who has made his own way in the world and has done it successfully and gained the respect and esteem of every one who knows him.