JONATHAN JACKSON DAVIS

 

 

     Jonathan was born in Benton County, Alabama, February 16, 1833. His parents were Martin Davis, the son of George Davis and Rebecca Martin, and Jemina Barnett, the daughter of Uriah and Keziah Barnett. He was the second of twelve children as follows: Uriah married Mary A. Moore, Jonathan Jackson married 1) Hazel Jane Salter, 2) Nancy Jane Davidson, Martha Ann married William Thomas Yates, Charity Keziah married Benjamin Franklin Kelly, Sarah Jane married George W. Stevens, George M.C. married Nancy Isabelle Dodson, Isabelle Texas married W. D. Kelly, Rebecca married 1) Eubanks, 2) Noah Williams, John Henry married Ann Crawford, Thomas Jefferson married 1) Mary Elizabeth Peeler, 2) Ida Phillips Lawson, Caradine Rafalee married 1) Sally Kelly, 2) Dora Roberts, James Buchanan married Miriam Kelly.

     He moved with his parents to Mississippi, Winston County, in 1847 and there he received his education.

March 10, 1852 he was united in marriage with Hazel Jane Salter, the daughter of William and Edna Salter. She died August 9, 1859 leaving two children. Martha Rosetta who became the wife of John Hood Davidson and Margaret Alveretta who married H. C. Osborn. Jonathan then married Nancy Davidson, the daughter of Emily M. Yates and Paran Davidson on December 6, 1859. Their children were Uriah Collins 1860 -1874, Elizabeth Martin 1868-1883 married John Carson McKinley, William Jackson born and died in 1871, Charles James 1872-1900, John Henry 1877 - 1959 married Rosetta Wright, Annie Belle 1881-1941 married 1) Burton C. Darnell, 2) Clarence Newton.

     When war was declared between the states, J. J. went out with Company D, Twentieth Mississippi Infantry, Army of Tennessee, took part in the memorable campaign from Kentucky through Tennessee to the south participating in the battles of Perrysville, Murfreesboro, Kenesaw Mountain, and other engagements. After the battle of Perrysville he served as Lieutenant until the end of the war. At the seige of Atlanta, in 1865, while in charge of a picket line, he was severly wounded in the right foot and permanently disabled from the service.

      In December 1865, he came to Falls County, Texas, settling in the southeast corner (Mustang Prairie) where he lived until his death September 13, 1905. His wife died February 14, 1905. They are both buried in the Mustang Prairie Cemetery as are many of their children.

     He was a farmer, minister of the Baptist Faith, a Blue Lodge Mason, and a Democrat. Beginning with 1887, he served as a member of the 20th, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th Legislature. He was three times representative of Falls County and then served as Flotorial Representative of the 72nd District composed of Falls, Milam, and Williamson Counties. He was a man of unique character and was referred to as Uncle Abe Lincoln, on account of his striking resemblance to President Lincoln.

     Jonathan J. Davis, as pastor of the Hope Baptist Church in 1873 baptized 35 people. He was pastor of the New Hope Baptist Church from 1883 to 1885 and again from 1887 to 1890. His most successful year here was in 1884 when he baptized 26, followed in 1890 by baptising 25. He was pastor of Blue Ridge Baptist Church in 1874.

     A number of articles were written in Texas news- papers about J. J. Davis. This one was from the Marlin Democrat:

     "A prominent member of the Lower House stated to the Democrat the other day that Davis, of Falls, was one of the hardest and most effective workers in that body. When Davis rises from his seat to oppose or advocate a measure, he is given the utmost attention. His remarks are always brief, but to the point and very impressive. In the committee room Mr. Davis is a "wheel l1orse" and the report of the committee of which he is chairman generally stands. The people could not have round a man in Falls County who would have made a more faithful Representative than Mr. Davis."

 

Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing the biographies of these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical Commission, page 111 column 1 and page 112 and 1.  
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.