Found this on another list and thought it migfht be of interest. Jim -----Original Message----- From: Plop's Parents <dawg@mail.us-net.com> To: PADAUPHI-L@rootsweb.com <PADAUPHI-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Sunday, January 24, 1999 10:36 PM Subject: [PADAUPHI-L] Morris Davis PA>OH 1811-1853 >Here is a bio on one of my lines. I recently received this and solved many >dilemma's about my DAVIS line. If anyone can add to this or suggest, PLEASE >PLEASE DO!!!!! I particularly want to know about the DAVIS and WOOD hat >manufacture in Logan Co., OH in the 1830-1840's. > >This biography shows how a typical man can totally mess up a genealogist. >It also shows the immigration from Pennsylvania to Ohio, which most of my >mother's folks did, many different lines. >Lori > >>From "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign Co., Ill" 1887 (hats off >to Celia at Champaign Co., IL GenWeb list!) >The progenitors of a large portion of the residents of >Champaign County originated in the Keystone State. Among these was Morris >DAVIS, father of the subject of this biography, who was born near >Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., Pa., on the 7th of September, 1811. His parents >died while he was a small child, and thus left an orphan, he was reared by >Mr. Morris Howe of that same county, and passed his time until eighteen >after the manner of most farmers' boys, attending school in the winter, and >assisting in sowing and reaping the balance of the year. At the age >mentioned he concluded to change his occupation and went to harrisburg to >learn the trade of a hatter. > >>From the latter place Mr. Davis was gone about a year through New Jersey >and New York City, working journey work, and in the summer of 1830, left >his native State and "footed" it to West Liberty, Ohio. He followed his >trace there a few years with Mr. Andrew Wood, who afterward became his >brother-in-law, as he was married to Miss Rachel WOOD a few years later. >After this event he went into partnership with Mr. Wood, and they operated >a hat manufactory under the firm name of Davis & Wood, several years, when >our subject purchased the interest of his partner and operated alone. > >After accumulating a little capital Mr. Davis entered 160 acres of timber >land in Stokes Township, Logan Co., Ohio. In 1850 he embarked in the >grocery business at Huntsville, Ohio, and had only been established a short >time when his dwelling and contents of hatter's stock were destroyed by >fire. He had no insurance. Afterward he joined his brother-in-law in >Miami County. In the meantime he had deeded eight acres of his land to >John M. Johnson, upon the condition that the latter should clear three >fields or ten acres each. Upon this he built a log cabin 16x22 feet, which >he occupied and engaged in farming for a few years. After his death, the >cabin was replaced by a handsome country residence. His death occurred >Oct. 25, 1853, and his remains were buried in the Seceder's Cemetery, near >Huntsville. >