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Giles County, Tennessee
Davis and James Biographies
compiled by Giles County TNGenWeb Researcher Mary Clark
WILLIAM M. DAVIS AND WILLIAM R JAMES are members of the firm of Clayton,
Davis & Co., millers, of Cornersville, Tenn.
The former is a son of Nathan C. and Mary (Woods) Davis, who were born in
the State and became the parents of seven children. The father was an
agriculturist and a Democrat,
and died in 1882. After his wife's death, in 1860, he married Mrs. Sallie
Johnson, by whom he had five children. William M. was born August 23, 1851, and secured the rearing and education of the average farmer's boy. After attaining his majority he began farming for himself, and in 1876 married Ella M. McMahon, by whom he had two children: Minnie K. and Sallie J. In 1883 Mr. Davis engaged in his present business of grist and saw-milling, and is now making preparations to put in the patent rollers. Mr. Davis is a Democrat, and a man who attends closely to business, consequently he has prospered in his undertakings.
William R. James one of the above named firm, is a son of Pleasant L. and Emily (Freeland) James, who were born and passed their lives in Tennessee. Their family consisted of four children, our subject and one other son being the only living members. The father
was a Democrat, and died in 1853. The mother's death occurred in 1862.
William R. was born in Giles County, October 16, 1845, and was reared on a
farm in Marshall County. In 1861 he volunteered in Company H, Third
Tennessee Infantry, and was one of the defenders of Fort Donelson. He was
captured and imprisoned at Chicago, and, after being exchanged at
Vicksburg, returned to the army, but was soon discharged, being too young
for the service. He then returned home and resumed farming. In 1869 he
and Amanda K. Ferguson were united in marriage. She died in 1878, leaving
four children. He then wedded Jennie McMahon, who died in 1884, having
become the mother of two children. The following year Mr. James married
Nannie McMahon, sister of his second wife. In 1884 he moved to
Cornersville and in 1886 engaged in the milling business. (Goodspeed's History of Marshall County, 1886)
MC Notes: No Nathan DAVIS is found on the Giles County Census or tax lists between 1836 and 1860. An early Nathan DAVIS is on the 1812 Giles County Tax List, and the 1820 and 1830 Giles Census, and a Nathan Davis married a Sallie Davis on 10 Jul 1806 in Davidson County, a Nathan Davis married Whinny [Winnifred?] Garrett on 18 Mar 1808 in Greene County, and a Nathan Davis married an Eliza Rogers on 30 Mar 1811 in Sumner County. In 1850, I only found Newton C. DAVIS (m to a Harriet).
P. L. James, 20-30 years of age, is on the 1840 Giles County Census, p. 132, the sole member of his household, but is not on the 1836 tax list (not yet 21 years of age?). Pleasant L. JAMES is on the 1850 Giles County census, District 17 (Cornersville), age 35, with Emily M. [FREELAND] James, age 25, Amanda J., age 7, Wm. R, age 4, and Terrissa, age 1, all born in TN.
See Marshall County, TNGenWeb for more Marshall County Goodspeeds' biographies.
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