b. 19 May 1838, d. 2 May 1902
| Birth | 19 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. |
| Military | 8 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 |
| Marriage | 9 Aug 1866 | He married Minerva Greer, daughter of Dr. W.A. Greer, on 9 Aug 1866 in Macon, Macon County, Missouri.4 |
| Cens-1870 | 6 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-1880 | 14 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-Pens | 7 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-1900 | 6 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 |
| Death | 2 May 1902 | Robert died on 2 May 1902 while institutionalized at Jacksonville, Illinois, at age 63.9 |
| Burial | 4 May 1902 | He was buried on 4 May 1902 at Woodlawn Cemetery in Macon, Missouri.1 |