Rufus K. DAVIS, b. 1870
Rufus K. Davis, cashier of the Farmers
National Bank of Oskaloosa, was born in Monroe
township, near Indianapolis, in Mahaska
county, March 24, 1870, a son of Rufus K. and
Jennie (Simmers) Davis. The father, living
on section 15, Spring Creek township, is a
pioneer settler of the county, having lived here
since 1867. He was born in Belmont county,
Ohio, February 28, 1831, a son of Ichabod
Davis, who was born in Maryland but went
to Ohio in early manhood. In Maryland he
was married to Mary Ann Pool, a daughter of
John Pool, of the same state. Ichabod Davis,
removing to Ohio, made his home in Belmont
county and there reared a family of five
children. He died there in comparatively early
manhood, while his wife, long surviving him,
reached the age of sixty-four years.
Rufus K. Davis, Sr., was the third in the
father's family and aided in the support of the
mother and children after the father's death. He
worked by the month on a farm and later
cultivated land in Ohio. He was married there in November, 1866, to Miss Jennie Simmers, a native of that state and a daughter of Daniel Simmers. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Davis removed to Iowa, settling in Monroe township, Mahaska county, where for several years Mr. Davis operated rented land and then with the money which he had saved from his earnings purchased fifty-six acres which he began to clear and improve. He built a house and barn, making his home there fifteen years. He later bought eighty acres and had a valuable farm. Subsequently he that sold that property and purchased one hundred seventy-three acres, five miles south of the old home. There he lived for six years, when he again disposed of his farm and bought a small tract of land in Keokuk county, where he lived for five years. He next bought eighty acres which he now operates on section 15, Spring Creek township. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Oskaloosa and Mr. Davis is a stanch republican, having always supported the party since its organization. His first presidential ballot cast for General Winfield Scott.
Rufus K. Davis, Jr.,spent his early life on the home farm and was educated in the public schools of his native town and of Oskaloosa, where he also pursued a business course. He aided in the farm work until twenty-five years of age, when he left home and has since resided in the county seat. During the winter of 1895 he was appointed deputy clerk under L. M. Hadley, clerk of the district court. This position he filled until 1899, when without being a candidate, he was nominated and elected clerk of the district court on the republican ticket, a position which he has filled for six years, retiring from the office on the 1st of January, 1905.
Becoming an active factor in business life, Mr. Davis has figured prominently in industrial and commercial circles in Oskaloosa. He
was one of the organizers of the Hawkeye Overall Company, capitalized at thirty thousand dollars and at the present time is secretary and treasurer of the company. In the fall and winter of 1905-6 he assisted in the organization of the Farmers National Bank of Oskaloosa, capitalized at one hundred thousand dollars, and composed of one hundred and fifty of the best men in the county, whose landed holdings represent more than three million dollars. The officers are: W. I. Beans, president; W. H. Pike, vice-president; R. K. Davis, cashier; while the directors in addition to the officers are: W. H. Springer, R. W. Moore, George S. Prine, Charles Victor, A. L. Fox, Paul Synhorst, J. S. Whitmore and T. J. Wilson.
On the 23d of November, 1899, Mr. Davis was married to Sara Crookham, a daughter of the late Judge J. A. L. Crookham, of Oskaloosa, and they have one daughter, Euclid Clarissa. Mr. Davis belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a self-made man, active in business and in the progress and development of Oskaloosa, who has made a creditable record in office and has become equally well known as a factor in business circles in the city.
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from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906
Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy
Iowa Genealogy
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