Daniel A. Davis was born in October of 1844 in Knox County, Tennessee to Charles and Elizabeth Davis. The 1850 federal census recorded Daniel at age 6 living with his parents and eight siblings in District 8 of Granger County, Tennessee. They were a farming family.
By the time the 1860 census was taken, the Davis family had moved to Williamson County and were living in Township 8, Range 3 which is East Marion Township today. At that time Charles & Elizabeth had seven children including Daniel. They were still listed as farmers but had no real estate value so apparently hadn’t purchased a permanent plot of land yet. The family’s personal estate was valued at $400.
In July 1869, Daniel joined the International Order of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 392 and remained a loyal member to his death. In 1876, he joined the Benevolent Camp No. 171, I.O.O.F.
By the 1870 census, Daniel had gotten married to Mary Ann Goodall, daughter of William Goodall, though no marriage record could actually be found. The census reveals that they were likely just recently married however, because Daniel is aged 25 and Mary is aged 16, he is shown as a farm laborer with no real estate value and a personal estate of only $20.
When the 1880 census was taken in March, Daniel and Mary had established themselves in Marion. They owned their own home free and clear in Marion, Daniel was working as a drayman (moving merchandise by way of horse and wagon). They then had three children, Estell (Stella) aged 9, Willie aged 5 and Gertie aged 3.
In 1886 Daniel was elected Marion city alderman under Mayor James C. Jackson and again in 1887 under his friend Brice Holland.
On February 20, 1889, Daniel’s daughter Estell (Stella) would marry Edgar T. Gallagher, his future business partner.
Since the 1890 census was destroyed in fire there is always a gap in people’s lives, but some things can be found. In January of 1892, Daniel became a charter member of the local Rebekah Lodge No. 93. By the 1890’s it was clear that Daniel had established a bakery and confectionary business operating in the 900 block of the Public Square next to his son in law’s store (Ed Gallagher).
In February, 1899 a large fire broke out in the 900 block of the square. An event that would repeat itself in March of 1963. In the aftermath, most all of the businesses in that block and adjoining properties were a total loss including the Daniel Davis Bakery and the Ed Gallagher business. It becomes clear that after the fire, both of the men went jointly back into business as the Gallagher & Davis Bakery located at 904 Public Square.
In the 1900 census, Daniel and Mary had two children living at home, Mettie aged 16 and Inez aged 10. Daniel was listed as a baker.
In 1901 and 1902 Davis served once again as city alderman under Mayor William H. Bundy.
In 1905 Daniel was noted as being an active deacon at the First Christian Church in Marion on N. Market Street. By the 1910 federal census, the couple were living in a rental home in Marion Ward 3 (SE Marion). Daniel was listed as 65 and Mary Ann 58, and their one child left at home was Inez aged 19. A question in that census revealed that the couple had had 6 children but only 5 were living at the time.
A 1907 Marion street directory indicated that Daniel was operating his bakery business Gallagher & Davis at 107 S. Market St. and living at 302 W. College St.
Daniel A. Davis passed away at age 70 on December 29, 1914. His obituary was found in the Marion Evening post dated December 29, 1914 as follows. “Daniel A. Davis, 70, died Tuesday at his home on West Main Street. He was born in Knox County, TN in October 1844, son of Mr. & Mrs. Charles Davis. There were seventeen children, nine boys and eight girls. Three boys and four girls are still living. Three of those children, including Daniel, have passed away within the last two years. The others were C.T. Davis who died in this city and Hannibal Davis who died in Eldorado. The husbands of two of the four surviving sisters have also died in the last two years. Those surviving are Mrs. Eliza Skaggs of Harrisburg, Mrs. Rachel foster, formerly of Eldorado but now of this city, W.M. Davis of this city and Mrs. Sarah May of Burnt Prairie, Ill., Mrs. Mary Parks of this city and John Davis of Harrisburg. Daniel Davis married Mollie Goodall, daughter of William Goodall. Eight children were born, two are dea. The others are Mrs. E.T. Gallagher of Texas, Dr. Will Davis of Paris, Ill., Mrs. Edgar Ashely of Joliet, Ill. Dr. Walter Davis of Beaumont, Texas and Miss Inez Davis of this city. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery.” He was a member of the I.O.O.F., Lodge No. 392 for 45 ½ years.
Daniel’s wife Mary Ann died in 1933 and is buried next to him in Rose Hill Cemetery.
Notes on Children:
Inez Davis, born Feb. 5, 1890, married Leon Robinson, preceded in death by sister Gertie and brother Dr. Metta Keith Davis. Died on Feb. 13, 1985 in Jacksonville, Illinois. Played piano in Marion at the old Marion Opera House on N. Market St. and the H.W. Bracy Family Theater on N. Market St. while silent movies were active, moved to Chicago and taught piano most of her life.
Dr. William Edgar Davis, born March 17, 1875, died of coronary thrombosis at age 59 in McAllen Texas on May 7, 1934, married to Ila A. Davis
Daniel Walter Davis, born November 11, 1878
Gertrude Davis, married Edgar Ashely in September 1899.
Stella Davis, married Edgar T. Gallagher Feb. 20, 1889, died in 1920’s in either Texas of Arizona
(Sources: Federal Census Records, Marion Street Directores, Marion City Cemetery Records, Marion Evening Post, Glances at Life by Homer Butler, Marion Fire reports, WCHS resources. Compiled by Sam Lattuca on 8/17/2023)