George Lester Davis1

b. 20 October 1889, d. 20 April 1981
FatherWilliam Early Davis2 b. 6 Oct 1862, d. 28 Aug 1912
MotherMargaret Ann Smith2 b. 26 Jun 1868, d. 3 Nov 1959
Birth20 Oct 1889 George Lester Davis was born on 20 Oct 1889 according to a family manuscript. However his World War I draft registration form reported the year as 1890 and the place as Memphis, Tennessee.3,1 
Migration  In the mid 1890s George and his family left Tennessee and migrated to Arkansas. 
Childhood The family settled in Ozark township, Polk County where George was enumerated with his parents and siblings on both the 1900 and 1910 census records.4,5 
Marriage31 Mar 1912 He married Addie Lee Joplin on 31 Mar 1912 in Polk County.6,3 
Milit-Reg5 Jun 1917 On June 5th, 1917 George completed the paperwork for the WWI draft registration. The form states that he was a resident of Bogg Springs, Arkansas and was employed as a farmer. George was described as tall and stout with blue eyes and dark hair. His daughter however describes his eyes as brown.1,7 
Cens-1930Apr 1930 The 1930 census for White township in Polk County recorded George by his middle name: "Lester". His wife Lee was also enumerated as were 5 children. The couple rented their home and were farming.8 
1931  George was known in his family as a man of strong moral convictions. He was much loved and respected by people of all generations. He loved ranching but also served as the Justice of the Peace for Grannis, Arkansas and performed many marriages in that capacity.3 
Death20 Apr 1981 George died on 20 Apr 1981 at age 91.3 
Burial He was buried at Witherspoon Cemetery in Polk County, Arkansas.9 
  Addie died 30 May 1980 and is buried in the same cemetery, as is the couple's son Whitson who ded at the age of 14 from a ruptured appendix.10,3 

Family

Addie Lee Joplin b. 5 Mar 1892, d. 30 May 1970
Children
  • Opal Irene Davis8,3 (19 Dec 1913 - 20 Dec 2007)
  • Whitson Eugene Davis8,3 (5 Oct 1915 - 8 Aug 1930)
  • Robert Lester Davis8,3 (11 Nov 1918 - 23 Nov 1983)
  • Dora Marie Davis8,3
  • William Hugh Davis8,3 (20 Sep 1922 - 20 Aug 2009)
Last Edited22 May 2011

Citations

  1. [S1620] "World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards 1917-1918", subscription database with images, Ancestry.com (http://www.Ancestry.com : viewed June 2007), data for George Lestter [sic] Davis, Polk Co., Arkansas (5 June 1917).
  2. [S1749] William Davis household, 1900 U.S. cens., Polk Co., Arkansas, pop. sched., Ozark township, ED 103, sheet 8B, dwelling 144, family 152, viewed online at Ancestry.com, June 2007, image 16 of 63. Household includes: William Davis, 37, b. Oct. 1862, marr 13 years, farmer, owns farm, b. TN, parents b. VA; Margaret A., wife, 31, b. June 1863, marr 13 yrs, mother of 4 children, all living, b. TN, parents b. TN; Robt F., son, 12, b. Sept. 1887, TN; George, son, 10, b. Oct. 1889 TN; Mary B., dau, 5, b. __ 1895 Ark; Nancy _, dau, 2, b. Jan. 1898, Ark.
  3. [S2606] The William Early Davis and Margaret (Smith) Davis Family, typed family stories and data compiled by their granddaughters Marea (Davis) McGregor and Opal (Davis) Reno.
  4. [S1749] William Davis household, 1900 U.S. cens., Polk Co., Arkansas, pop. sched., Ozark township, ED 103, sheet 8B, dwelling 144, family 152, viewed online at Ancestry.com, June 2007, image 16 of 63. Household includes: William Davis, 37, b. Oct. 1862, marr 13 years, farmer, owns farm, b. TN, parents b. VA; Margaret A., wife, 31, b. June 1868, marr 13 yrs, mother of 4 children, all living, b. TN, parents b. TN; Robt F., son, 12, b. Sept. 1887, TN; George, son, 10, b. Oct. 1889 TN; Mary B., dau, 5, b. __ 1895 Ark; Nancy _, dau, 2, b. Jan. 1898, Ark.
  5. [S1750] William E. Davis household, 1910 U.S. cens., Polk Co., Arkansas, pop. sched., Ozark township, ED 112, sheet 9A, dwelling 165, family 170, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jun 2007, image 17 of 24. Household includes: William E. Davis, 48, marr #1, marr 23 yrs, farmer, owns home, is mortgaged, b. TN, parents b. VA; Margaret, wife, 41, marr #1, marr 23 yrs, mother of 4 children, all living, b. TN; Robert, son, 22; George, son, 20; Mary B., dau, 15; Nancy F., dau, 12; boys b. TN; girls b. Ark.
  6. [S1754] Polk Co., Arkansas Marriage Record J: 363. Robert F. Davis provided surety.
  7. [S2633] Lynn McKinney, "George Lester Davis," e-mail to D. Powell, 15 Apr. 2011. Lester's daughter Marie described her father's eyes as brown.
  8. [S1753] Lester Davis household, 1930 U.S. cens., Drew Co., Arkansas, pop. sched., White township, ED 257-25, sheet 4A (p. 161 stamped), dwelling 71, family 71, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jun 2007, image 7 of 29. Household includes: Lester Davis, 40, first marr at 22, b. TN, parents b. TN, farmer, rents home, is a farm; Lee, wife, 38, first marr at 20, b. Ark, parents b. Ark; Opal, dau, 16; Whitson, son, 14; Lester, son, 10; ____ (dau) 9 10/12; Hugh, son, 7 6/12; all children b. Ark.
  9. [S2633] Lynn McKinney, "George Lester Davis," e-mail to D. Powell, 15 Apr. 2011.
  10. [S1711] Jason Kennedy, "William E. Davis info," e-mail to D. Powell, 25 Feb. 2011. Jason's information was provided by Lyn McKinney, a granddaughter of George Lester Davis.