Robert Davis

b. 19 May 1838, d. 2 May 1902
FatherJohn Davis b. bet 1810 - 1813
MotherSarah Harriett Mitchell b. abt 1813
Birth19 May 1838 Robert Davis was born on 19 May 1838 in Schuyler County, Missouri.1,2 
  His parents, both natives of Washington County, Virginia, migrated to Missouri shortly after their marriage. They briefly lived in the area that later became Schuyler County. By the time Robert was two years old they lived in Macon County where Robert's parents lived out their lives. 
Military8 Apr 1862  Robert enlisted in Co. G. of the 2nd Regiment, Missouri State Militia Cavalry [Union] on April 2nd 1862 in Callao, Macon County, Missouri. In October 1862 he was transferred to Company F. Company records created at the time of his enlistment describe Robert as 24 yrs old, 5 feet, 8 inches tall, with blue eyes and light hair. He was an engineer by profession. Robert rose through the ranks from 7th to 1st sergeant until on March 21, 1864 he achieved the rank of 1st lieutenant. Robert's compiled military record show that he was frequently away from his company repairing roads or on scouting missions. Robert was mustered out March 23, 1865 at St. Louis, Missouri.2,3 
Marriage9 Aug 1866 He married Minerva Greer, daughter of Dr. W.A. Greer, on 9 Aug 1866 in Macon, Macon County, Missouri.4 
Cens-18706 Jun 1870  Robert and Minerva settled into life in Macon. The 1870 census recorded them with their first child, 10 month old Isadora. Robert was employed as an engine builder. He owned land worth $1,000 and personal property worth $2,000.5 
Occupation For many years he also served as City Marshal.6 
Cens-188014 Jun 1880  However by the summer of 1880 Robert and Minverva had moved on. They lived in Bucklin, (Linn County, Missouri) where Robert kept a saloon. Besides Robert and Minerva, the family at this time included "Doda", Hattie, Mollie and Robert Jr.7 
Milit-Pens7 Mar 1890  Robert applied for a pension in March 1890 based on his Civil War service. He stated that in July 1864, while at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, he suffered from chronic diarrhea and rheumatism. In April and May 1864 he had been treated for typhoid pneumonia [typhoid fever complicated by pneumonia] which permanently affected his right side. Robert lived at Macon City when he applied for the pension.3 
Cens-19006 Jun 1900  By June 1900 the family lived at 108 Jackson St. in Peoria, Illinois where Robert worked as a watchman in a railroad yard. Minerva's entry reported that she was the mother of 2 children and both were living. The household included the couple's sons Robert and Lewis who at ages 19 and 18 worked as a carriage painter and paper hanger respectively.8 [Minerva's "living children" entry only included the two children living at home] 
  However, Robert was not well. The following March he was admitted to Jacksonville Insane Asylum suffering from dementia. In Dec. 1901 Minerva, acting as his conservator, applied for an increase in his Civil War pension. She stated that she and Robert were the parents of 2 sons and 2 daughters, all of whom were living with Minerva at 902 N. Adams St. in Peoria.3 
Death2 May 1902 Robert died on 2 May 1902 while institutionalized at Jacksonville, Illinois, at age 63.9 
Burial4 May 1902 He was buried on 4 May 1902 at Woodlawn Cemetery in Macon, Missouri.1 

Family

Minerva Greer b. 18 Nov 1841, d. 21 Feb 1903
Children
  • Doda Davis4 (2 Jul 1869 - )
  • S. Hattie Davis10 (30 Aug 1872 - 4 Mar 1891)
  • Mollie Davis4 (10 Jun 1875 - )
  • Robert Davis Jr.4 (12 Jan 1879 - )
  • Lewis Davis4 (14 Mar 1882 - )
Last Edited2 May 2011

Citations

  1. [S2631] Elizabeth Prather Ellsberry, Cemetery Records of Macon Co., Missouri Vol I, p. 8. Entry for Robert Davis, May 19, 1838-May 2, 1902.
  2. [S2625] "Compiled Service Records of Union Soldiers Belonging to Units From Missouri," digital images, Footnote.com (http://www.footnote.com : accessed Apr 2010); Robert Davis, 1st Lieut. Co. F, 2nd Missouri State Militia Cavalry.
  3. [S2629] Declaration for Original Invalid Pension, Robert Davis (1st Lieut. Co. F., 2nd Regiment, Missouri State Militia, Cavalry, Civil War), pension no. S.C. 569,267, Minerva Davis widows application 763,038, Case Files of Approved Pension Applications..., 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files, Record Group 15, NARA.
  4. [S2629] Robert Davis affidavit dated Aug. 4, 1898, Robert Davis (1st Lieut. Co. F., 2nd Regiment, Missouri State Militia, Cavalry, Civil War), pension no. S.C. 569,267, Minerva Davis widows application 763,038, Case Files of Approved Pension Applications..., 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files, Record Group 15, NARA.
  5. [S270] Robert Davis household, 1870 U.S. cens, Macon Co., MO, pop. sched., Macon, p. 152 (stamped), dwelling 22, family 25, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr 2011. Robert Davis, 33, engine builder, owns land worth $1,000, pers, prop of $2,000, b. MO; Minerva, 20, b. VA; Isadora, 10/12, b. Aug MO.
  6. [S2629] Robert Davis obituary from an unnamed and undated Macon City newspaper, Robert Davis (1st Lieut. Co. F., 2nd Regiment, Missouri State Militia, Cavalry, Civil War), pension no. S.C. 569,267, Minerva Davis widows application 763,038, Case Files of Approved Pension Applications..., 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files, Record Group 15, NARA.
  7. [S2624] Robert Davis household, 1880 U.S. cens., Linn Co., MO, pop. sched., Bucklin, ED 177, page 19 C (p. 375 stamped), dwelling 152, family 159, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Robert Davis, 48, saloon keeper, b. MO/VA/VA; Minerva, 30, wife, b. VA/VA/KY; Doda, 10, dau; Hattie, 8, dau; Mollie, 6, dau; Robert, 2, son; all b. MO/MO/VA.
  8. [S2630] Robert Davis household, 1900 U.S. cens., Peoria Co., Illinois, pop. sched., Peoria township, ED 95, sheet 7A (p. 61 stamped), dwelling 92, family 170, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr 2011. Household includes: Robert Davis, b. May 1837, 63, marr 25 yrs, b. MO, parents b. VA, watchman at RR yd, rents home at 108 Jackson St.; M.H., wife, b. Nov 1848, 51, marr 25 yrs, mother of 2 children, both living, b. VA, father b. VA, mother b. KY; Robt, son, b. Feb. 1881, 19, b. MO carriage painter; Lewis, son, b. Mar. 1882, 18, b. MO, paper hanger; also a lodger.
  9. [S2629] Physician's affidavit, Robert Davis (1st Lieut. Co. F., 2nd Regiment, Missouri State Militia, Cavalry, Civil War), pension no. S.C. 569,267, Minerva Davis widows application 763,038, Case Files of Approved Pension Applications..., 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files, Record Group 15, NARA.
  10. [S2631] Elizabeth Prather Ellsberry, Cemetery Records of Macon Co., Missouri Vol I, p. 8.