Edward Davis was born
July 26, 1840 in Blaina, Wales. His parents were Thomas Davis (1804-1898)
and Alice Davis (1802-1867). Edward moved to the United States in 1853
with his parents. It is unknown what ship they took or where they landed
but they next appeared in Big Creek, Lavalle Town, Sauk County, Wisconsin.
Here Edward's father bought a small farm.
On September 16, 1861
Edward enlisted in Company B Twelfth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, for
a period of three years. While in Vicksburg he became sick and checked
into a field hospital on the date of July 4, 1863. There he was diagnosed
with having malaria. He then went on and rejoined his company and finished
out the remainder of his service.
On October 31, 1864,
at Chattanooga, Tennessee, Edward was officially discharged from the military.
At the time of his discharge his description was: 24 years old, 5'4 1/2"
tall, dark complextion and grey eyes. He was later granted a disability
pension from the United States Government, which was $72.00 per month.
After the war Edward
was married to Julia A. Fisher and have one child, Arthur born in 1866,
before she died in 1868. After the death of his first wife Edward then
married Rebecca Schessler(?-1896) on November 13, 1869. He then had three
more children with Rebecca. They are Vernon (1871-1953), Lester (1873-1960),
and Norman (1880-?).
After the war Edward
moved to Seven Mile Creek, Wisconsin and became a laborer. He would eventually
move in with his son Lester and his wife at 530 Vine Street, Reedsburg,
Wisconsin where he would finish his life. At his death, on July 27, 1922,
at the age of 82 years and one day old, Edward was buried in Greenwood
Cemetery (Reedsburg, Wisconsin)with his wife Rebecca.
Information from Spencer Davis
