NOTE: I have no connection, no further information and am not seeking additional information. 11968 MADISON CO JOSIAH B. WILLIS Willis, Baker, Phelps, Sherley, Philips, Gentry, DeJarnett, Williams, Simmons, Greeley #11198: Kentucky Genealogy and Biography, Volume V, Battle Perrin Kniffin, 4th ed. Madison Co. JOSIAH B. WILLIS was born December 6, 1848, five miles west of Richmond and is a son of John and Susan (Baker) Willis, to whom seven sons and four daughters were reared, and all living except one daughter. John Willis was born in 1794 in Madison County. He became a prosperous farmer and owner of a considerable slave property; was member of the Christian Church, and in politics a Whig, till the war broke out, then became a Democrat; he died in 1872. He was a son of Drury Willis, who was born in Virginia, and was of English descent; immigrated to Madison County, Ky., in 1785, and married for his first wife a Miss Phelps, a native of Madison County. The issue from this marriage was seven sons and three daughters. His second wife was a Sherley; the issue by the second marriage was three sons and one daughter. In religion he was a Baptist and in politics a Whig. Mrs. Susan (Baker) Williams was born in Madison County in 1804 and died in March, the night prior to her husbands death, and was buried in the same grave. She was a daughter of Michael Baker, a native of North Carolina, and an early pioneer of Madison County, Ky. He married Nancy Philips. He was a Baptist in religion and died in Missouri, to which State he had moved. He was a son of David Baker, of North Carolina, a Hardshell Baptist minister, whose wife was a Gentry. He was of English descent. Josiah B. Willis received his early training on a farm, received a common English education, and was united in marriage September 30, 1869, to Pattie DeJarnett of Clark County, but a native of Madison County, and daughter of George and Sarah (Williams) DeJarnett, also natives of Madison County. Mr. DeJarnett was a farmer, served as deputy sheriff for several terms and died in 1885, aged sixty-nine; was a son of James DeJarnett, who married a Simmons. He was a farmer, served as a common soldier in 1812, and while in the service was captured by the Indians. He being a Mason, gave the Indians Masonic signs, which were recognized, and he was released. He was of French descent. He reared a family of seventeen children, was one of the pioneers of Madison County and was a member of the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Willis had born to bless their happy union six children: T. C., Maud (deceased), Nannie DeJarnett, G. D. and J. D. (twins) and Cleveland. After his marriage he engaged in farming until 1877, when he commenced riding as deputy sheriff, which position he filled till 1881 when he was elected sheriff of Madison and re-elected in 1883, served until January, 1886, and then engaged in the hotel business in Richmond. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he of the F. & A. M. In politics he is a consistent and active Democrat and cast his first presidential vote for H. Greeley. KYBIOGRAPHIES Archives: http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index?list=kybiographies KYRESEARCH Archives:http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index?list=kyresearch