Martha J. Willet

GEDCOM Note

-1850 Virginia, Roanoake County, 57th district, Pg.106. -http://archive.org/stream/biographicalgene00lewi/biographicalgene00... "Biographical and genealogical history of Appanoose and Monroe counties, Iowa" Levi Davis, the second of the above enumerated children, was born in Illinois, February 23, 1837, and shortly afterward, in 1840, was taken bv his parents to Schuyler county. Missouri. Subsequently they took up their abode in Bloomfield, Davis county, Iowa, and in 1857 moved to Orleans, now a deserted village north of Moulton, and there Mr. Davis met and married Miss Martha J. Willett. their wed- BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 533 ding being celebrated April 14, 1858. To this union were l)orn eight children, as follows: Fannie B., Homer E.. Eva L., James A., Fer- nando C, \\'illie \V., Ralph M., Ray L., all -of whom are li\-ing with the exception of Eva L., who died in March, 1871. The family came to Moulton in 1869, and for many years the father was the express agent at this place, and when it was first incorporated he was elected the town marshal. He was a citizen of prominence, and for fifteen years was honoretl with the office of chief executive, also acting as a justice of the peace. He had an excellent knowledge of the law and often met learned counsel at the bar, when he often floored his oppo- nents. He was a stalwart Democrat in his political views, was an active and consistent member of the Christian church, and filled an important niche in the pioneer days of the locality and will long be remembered as one of the landmarks of Moulton. After nearly a month's illness his death occurred on the i6th of December, 1902, leaving an aged wife, who is still living in this city, and seven children. -http://iagenweb.org/boards/appanoose/obituaries/index.cgi?read=311381 Moulton Weekly Tribune SEPTEMBER 29, 1922 OBITUARY OF MRS. LEVI DAVIS Martha Jane Willett was born March 8th, 1836, in Roanoke county, Virginia, and died September 1922. She was the second of eight children, her brothers and sisters, being: Mary Willett Edwards, deceased; Lyle Willett Jennings, deceased; James Willett, deceased; Jacob Willett, deceased; Sarah Willett Rogers, deceased; Susan Willett Callen, deceased; William Willett. Moulton Iowa. With her father's family, she came to Iowa in the year 1852 being then 17 years of age, and settled at Orleans where, at the age of 23 years, she and Levi Davis were joined in marriage. With her husband she moved to Moulton, Iowa, at its very inception and on 7th and Vine streets erected their little two room home, where all their children were raised. Death entered that home twice during her occupancy?once when her little five-year old girl, Eva Lou, was taken, and once when her husband was taken. In 1902 she became a widow, since which time she has lived about with her children but mostly with her youngest son, Dr, Ray L. Davis of Guthrie, Oklahoma, in whose home she departed this life, but with many of her children about her bedside. She leaves to mourn her loss, six children; Mrs. Fannie Bell Kimes of Moulton. Homer E. Davis of Guthrie, Okla,; James A. Davis of Galesburg, ILL.; Fernando C. Davis of Tonkawa, Okla.; William W. Davis of Tonkawa, Okla; Ralph M. Davis of Guthrie, Okla.; Ray L. Davis of Guthrie, Okla. Throughout all her years away from Moulton her heart constantly glanced back to where she had lived all her married life; where live of her seven children came into being; where she exhausted her capable and vigorous years serving those she loved. And as age crept on she more and more talked of her final coming back, of her old friends, so many of whom preceded her in going to That Great Beyond. Her final passing from this life was as peaceful as quiet slumber. She was ready, She had lived a consistent christian life, having joined the Christian church at Moulton when she first moved here, and just prior to the final dissolution she called upon her God, and asked to be taken by Him. And she called the name of her husband who had gone before, and by the side of whom she came to be laid. A SON. The funeral was largely attended on Sunday afternoon in the church where deceased had attended so many long years, and Rev. Lenna West gave a kindly sermon over the remains of one of Iowa's pioneers. The pall bearers were: A. Schulz, John Powell, Dr. Sellers. Jr., Z. B. Nighswonger, Ray Ware and Jas. Bolton. Card of Thanks. We thank our neighbors and friends for their kindly sympathy and help in our great sorrow in burying our mother; also, for the floral offerings. MRS. FANNIE KIWES, JAMES A. DAVIS, WILLIAM W. DAVIS. -