William P. Davis
William P. Davis was born in Clarke County, Ohio, November 3,1819. He is a son of Zebe S. and Sarah Davis. In the autumn of 1847 he went to Anderson, Indiana, where, on the 1st of November, 1847, he married Miss Matilda A., daughter of Ichabod and Sarah Davis. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Davis came to Shelby County and located in Jackson Township, remained a few weeks, then moved to Clarke County, Ohio, where they remained until May, 1856, when they moved to Illinois and located in McLain County, where his companion died March 25, 1857, leaving him with three small children, viz., Franklin R., Horace W., and Ira W., without the maternal care. Shortly after the death of his companion he returned with his children to Ohio, and located in Champaign County, where he remained for several months, or until some time in 1858, when he again came to Shelby County, and settled on his land in section 13, Dinsmore Township, which he had purchased some years prior. In September, 1861, he enlisted in the company known as the Benton cadets, and served about four months, or until the disorganization of the company, when he returned to his home in Shelby County. In 1862 he married Miss Magdalena Heintz, then of Shelby County, but a native of France. They have a family of ten children, seven sons and three daughters. He has made farming his principal business, and now owns a good farm in Dinsmore Township, which he is conducting with success. He was also engaged in the manufacture of tile in connection with farming about eight or nine years.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883