----Source: NEILLSVILLE PRESS (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 11/15/1923

Davis, Fred W. (13 MAR 1837 - 7 NOV 1923)

Fred W. Davis, one of the old residents, and for many years one of the most active farmers and stock men in Clark County, Wis., died Wednesday, Nov. 7, 1923, at his old home farm in Granton, where he was being cared for in his declining years by his son Frank and family.

Fred Warren Davis was born in Essex Co., N.Y., March 13, 1837. He was therefore 86 years, 7 months and 24 days old at the time of his death. He grew to manhood in Essex Co., N.Y., and received a common school education. In Dec. 1864 he was married to Ruth P. Lee, also a native of New York State, and the same year they came west and settled on some land which is still a portion of the home farm. They set to work with great energy to build a home and clear their land, Mr. Davis doing outside work at times to help support his family. While engaged in loading logs in the woods he met with an accident which resulted in his losing his right arm. While this greatly handicapped him in farm work, it did not discourage him; he continued not only to carry on his farm, but also to buy and ship cattle. He went quite extensively into breeding Shorthorn cattle and was successful. He was an expert horseman, and even when deprived of one arm, he would harness and drive fast horses with great skill. He took great interest in the early county fairs and was one of those who assisted in organizing the Clark County Agricultural Society. Mr. Davis was a man of high honor; his word was absolutely to be depended upon; he stood by his friends, and was liberal and free handed to those in need. He never hesitated to speak for what he believed to be right, nor to denounce what he believed wrong. In early days he took an active part in county, town and school district affairs, and was considered a man of sound judgment on public questions. His first wife died about 20 years ago. He later married Amelia Gerlack. The children of the first marriage are Ellen, wife of John Pietenpol of the town of York; Frank E., who lives on the old home farm; W. Scott Davis, cashier of the Farmers State Bank in Granton; Truman of the town of York; Louis, a civil engineer, who is employed in the west and Hale, formerly in business in Granton and now in North Dakota. By the second marriage there is one daughter Caroline, who is a teacher in the town of Fremont. There are also 15 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The funeral was held Friday afternoon at the home, Rev. Wilson Mallory officiating.

The large attendance and the many beautiful floral tributes showed the esteem in which the deceased was held. His six grandsons, Harry, Lawrence and Eldred Davis, and Bernard and Frederick Pietenpol, and George Prochazka, acted as pallbearers. Several beautiful sections were sung by the choir, consisting of the Mesdmes. Albert, Mabie and W. E. Clough and Messrs. George Wilson and Kearney Davis, with Mrs. K. Davis at the organ.