Lockley, Fred. "History of the Columbia River Valley, From The Dalles to the Sea." Vol. 2. S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928. p. 1416. AUBREY NEVILLE DAVIS On of the most efficient and successful farmers of the Hood River valley is Aubrey N. Davis, whose fine ranch of one hundred acres, near Odell, is well improved and, under his judicious management, is giving him a very satisfactory return for his labor. Mr. Davis was born at Kingsley, Wasco county, Oregon, on the 11th of March, 1892, and is a son of Charles and Georgia M. (Foster) Davis, the former born in Missouri and the latter in Oregon City, Oregon. In 1875 Charles Davis came west traveling by railroad to San Francisco, California, and thence by boat to Portland. He first located at Oregon City, where he lived for one year, and then entered the employ of Dr. McLoughlin in Portland, where also he resided one year. Coming to Wasco county, he took up a homestead and exercised his other land rights, acquiring six hundred and forty acres of land fifteen miles south of Dufur. He built a small, rough board house and planted an orchard of walnuts, apples, peaches, plums and other fruits, and also set out many catalpa trees. He had acquired a good education and taught school there for several terms in the early days. He remained on that ranch until 1892, when he sold out and, coming to the Hood River valley, bought two hundred and eighty acres of the Odell homestead, at Odell, which was originally the Jesse Neal donation claim. The first sawmill in the Hood river valley was built on this place in the late Ô50s. Mr. Davis's land was covered with timber and brush and his first efforts were given to clearing the place, after which he set out twenty acres to apples. He made many other worthwhile improvements, developing a splendid ranch, and there lived until 1923, when he sold the place to his son, Aubrey N., and moved to Medford, Oregon, where he and his wife are now living, being retired from active business pursuits. Their family numbered eight children: Victor Owen, who lives at Grants Pass, Oregon; Evelyn, who is the widow of Aleck McLain and lives in Tacoma, Washington; Charles Noel, of Medford, Oregon; Clifford Lynn, of Seattle, Washington; Aubrey Neville; Gladwin, of Medford, Oregon; Mrs. Letha Elizabeth Hale; and Cecil Cedric, who died at the age of nine years. Of these, Clifford enlisted in the Sixty-fifth Artillery (of the old Oregon National Guard), and was among the first troops to be sent overseas, serving in France until the close of the war, and Gladwin served in the navy transport service throughout the war. Aubrey N. Davis received his education in the district school and the high school at Odell. He remained at home until 1916, when he enlisted in the United States Navy, and was assigned to the cargo transport service between the United States and France, also carrying nitrates from South America to the United States and Europe. He remained in the service until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. Returning home, he assisted his father on the home ranch until 1923, when, his father wishing to retire, he bought the place and has since continued its operation. His father built the splendid house now on the farm in 1914, and on the place there is also a large spring of pure water, which furnishes not only a bountiful supply for irrigation purposes, but also water for the town of Odell. Mr. Davis carries on diversified farming, raising hay, grain and corn, has a large and well kept orchard, and keeps about one hundred head of breeding ewes, some of which are pure bred. He does thoroughly whatever he undertakes, gives close supervision to every detail of his ranch work, and has well merited the splendid measure of prosperity which is now his. On February 25, 1920, Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Margaret A. Heft, who was born in Chicago, Illinois, and is a daughter of Herman C. and Rose Mary Heft, both of whom are now living, in Odell. Mr. Heft came west in 1908, locating first at Portland, Oregon, but soon afterwards came to the Hood River valley and bought a fruit ranch, which he is still operating. He and his wife are the parents of a daughter and son: Mrs. Davis and Irving, who is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are the parents of three children, namely: Ruth, born March 7, 1921; Aubrey N., Jr., born December 28, 1923, and Norma Ellen, born July 17, 1925. Mr. Davis is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the American Legion, all at Hood River. He has shown a commendable interest in everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of his community and county, possesses good business qualifications and his excellent personal qualities have won for him a large circle of loyal friends throughout this locality. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2006 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.