Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 686.

SAMUEL B. DAVIS

     Wheeler county contains many men who have made good success in financial
affairs since settling here. Among this number we are constrained to mention the
gentleman whose name appears above, because he is a prominent citizen, because
he has achieved success, and because he is one of the builders of this county.
He resides about one mile east from Twickenham and is well known throughout the
country.
     Samuel B. Davis was born in Johnson county, Tennessee, on January 20, 1862.
William Davis, his father, was born in Montgomery county, Virginia, and moved to
Tennessee when a young man. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted
with the Union army and perished fighting for his country. His father, William
Davis, the grandfather of our subject, was a wealthy planter in Virginia and
owned a great many slaves. He was a veteran of the war of 1812. Members of the
Davis family came originally from England to the Colonies making settlement in
Virginia. They were prominent and wealthy. Our subject's mother was Matilda
(Howard) Davis, and she, too, was born in Johnson county, Tennessee. She was
left a widow when young and knew the hardship of raising a family alone. Her
father, Samuel Howard, was a veteran of the war of 1812. Although he owned
slaves when the Civil War broke out he took sides with the north, and freed them
all. Many of them, however, remained with him, such was their appreciation of
his kind treatment. Samuel B. was educated in his native state and remained in
the east until 1884. Then he journeyed westward, viewing the country in various
sections until he came to Oregon. Being pleased with this state, he selected
what is now Wheeler county as his abiding place, and began to work for wages. He
saved his money, wrought industriously and faithfully and soon was in a position
to buy a ranch. To this nest egg he has added betimes until he has now a
magnificent estate of fifteen hundred acres that is one of the choice
stock-ranches of the county. He has supplied it with all the improvements
needed, including an orchard and so forth, and he has besides a valuable estate,
a very beautiful home. Mr. Davis gives his attention to stock raising entirely,
only farming enough to raise forage for his stock. He has between two and three
thousand head of sheep, a great many cattle, and horses enough to handle the
business.
     On December 18, 1899, Mr. Davis married Miss Iris Smithpeter, who was born
in the same county as her husband. Her parents, David and Sallie (Young)
Smithpeter, are natives of Johnson and Carter counties, Tennessee respectively.
The father was a prominent physician and is now retired.
     To Mr. and Mrs. Davis one child has been born, Robert W.
     Mr. Davis is a charter member of the I. 0. 0. F. at Mitchell and is a
leading and substantial man.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in December 2010 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.