Belva Mary Davis

DAVIS, THE SETTLERS OF SALEM, WEST VIRGINIA, by Susie Davis Nicholson, Salem, West Virginia, 1992. p. 47, 100

Obituary MRS. BELVA DAVIS Belva M. Terry was born in New York near Lake George, Dec. 16, 1846, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. A.H. Babcock, Dec. 27, 1928, aged 82 years and eleven days. At the age of seven years, Belva, with her parents and three brothers and little sister removed from New York to Welton, Ia., where they became a part of the pioneer life of that place. In a few months, death claimed the father of this family, and the mother was left to struggle along with her young family. It was at this time that she became interested in the question of the Seventh Day Sabbath, under the influence and preaching of Rev. L. A. Davis, and she and her children became members of the Welton Seventh Day Baptist church. Twice death visited this family, taking the little sister and the eldest brother. Then the Civil war broke out, and not only the next oldest brother, but her lover as well, heard and answered their country's call, and Belva, like so many sorrowing women took her place in the industrial world. It has been a matter of pride to her that she drove four horses on a reaper and was presented with a flag in acknowledgment of work done in the harvest fields, taking a man's place. After the return of her brother and lover, she was married to Albert H. Davis, son of Rev. L. A. Davis. To this union five children were born, L.A. Davis, of Boulder, Colo., Mrs. J.A. Clarke, of Kearney, Neb., Mrs. A.H. Babcock of North Loup, Neb., Erlow T. Davis and Mrs. H.W. Saunders, of Boulder, Colo., all of whom are living, except the eldest son, who preceded his mother to the heavenly home by just one month. In 1872, Mr. Davis came to the North Loup valley with the Seventh Day colony, and took a homestead, the place just north of town, long known as the Burgess place. Because of the illness of a part of the family, he left them at Humbolt. In the spring of 1873, Mr. Davis brought them to North Loup, and again Mrs. Davis took up life in a pioneer country, going through all the trials, sickness, poverty, prairie fires, grasshoppers, and drouth, with a courage, devotion and sweetness of spirit, shown by few. They were among the earliest members of the newly organized Seventh Day Baptist church, and were prominent in all social and religious activities, Mr. Davis being chorister, and Mrs. Davis the leading soprano in the church choir for years. She was often called upon for solos, and was a gifted writer as well. Only a few weeks ago, at the request of a grandson, she sang from memory three verses of a hymn, playing her own accompaniment on the piano. Here she lived, and loved and labored, not only for her own family, bot for friends and neighbors, caring first for her husband's invalid mother, and then for her who was helpless for years, until 1889, when on account of her husband's failing health, they moved to Mississippi, and a year or two later to Hammond, La., where they joined the Hammond church.

In 1899, her husband was called home, and since that time she has lived with one or another of her children, always a welcome and cherished member of the family. In 1904 she went with the family of her daughter, Mrs. J.A. Clarke, to Boulder, Colo., to which place she transferred her church membership, where it has since remained. Last spring, her daughter, Mrs. A. H. Babcock, brought her back to North Loup, to end her days in her old home.

Mrs. Davis was a lady by instinct as well as training; her thoughts were always for others, their comfort and their pleasure. Her love for her family, especially her mother, and devotion to duty, were her strongest characteristics. Her sweet disposition and friendly helpful ways, made her beloved by all. She was 'Aunt Belle' to many who had no claim on her except the claim of her love and friends and neighbors, or anyone who needed love. Funeral services were held at the home of her daughter Mrs. A. H. Babcock, conducted by L.O. Greene, Dec. 28, 1928, and the tired body laid away in the North Loup cemetery.