San Joaquin County
Biographies
FRANKLIN DAVIS
FRANKLIN DAVIS, of the firm
of Guernsey & Davis, Stockton, is a native of Hannibal, Marion County,
Missouri, born December 2, 1840, his parents being Joseph M. and Hannah (Myers)
Davis. The father, who was born and reared in Virginia, went from there to Missouri,
and was married in the latter State, in Randolph County, afterward removing to
Marion County. He was a blacksmith by trade. In 1849 he came to California,
making the journey across the plains. He went to Mariposa County and commenced
mining, which occupation engaged his attention until early in 1851, when,
coming to Stockton, he opened a blacksmith shop on the corner of Market and San
Joaquin streets, near the present jail building. Later in the same year he went
back to Missouri, and in 1852 he again came out across the plains, and brought
his family to Stockton. He established a blacksmith shop on the corner of
American and Channel streets, and conducted it three or four years. He then
gave up blacksmithing, and for the next couple of years was engaged in teaming
to the mines. He then located on a farm on the Cherokee Lane, six miles north
of Stockton, the place being now a part of L. U. Shippee’s ranch. In 1872 he
established a stock ranch in Lassen County. He died while making a trip up
there, at Beggs Station, May 18, 1876, in his sixtieth year. He had been in
poor health for several years previous to his death. His widow died May 11,
1887, aged about seventy-two years. They were the parents of five children, of
whom one died in 1851. Those living are: Hartwell, a resident of Stockton;
Franklin the subject of this sketch; Alice E., wife of E. R. Hedges, a
prominent merchant of this city; and Eliza C., wife of G. W. Melone, furniture
dealer of Stockton.
Franklin Davis, with whose name this
sketch commences, came as a boy across the plains to California with his
parents, and grew to manhood in this county, receiving his education at the
public school which stood on the present site of the Lafayette school building,
in the public school in the McNish building, corner of Channel and Hunter
streets, and afterward in the private school kept by Dr. and Mrs. Collins. He
was brought up principally to farm life. In 1864 he went to Idaho, and remained
there until 1866, when he returned to this county. In 1870 he went to Linn
County, Iowa, and was in business there during that and the following year. He
then returned to San Joaquin County, where he has since resided. He has been
engaged in ranching ever since, and for twelve years farmed the land that now
constitutes a portion of the Shippee ranch, handling 600 acres. In May, 1887,
Mr. Davis, in partnership with J. C. Gage, on California street, and have since
carried on business there, making it the headquarters for the buying and
selling of stock, principally horses and mules. Mr. Davis now has 320 acres of
land, which he farms, and the firm of Guernsey & Davis also have 243 acres
in O’Neil Township, devoted principally to grain-raising. In May, 1885, Mr.
Davis commenced the construction of his handsome and spacious Stockton
residence, removing into it in October.
Mr. Davis was married, August 23, 1868, to
Miss Margaret Nevin, a native of Linn County, Iowa, whose father, Alexander
Nevin, died in this county. They have two children, viz: Maud and Ethel.
Mr. Davis, though not a politician,
affilliates (sic) with the Democratic party. Though comparatively a young man,
he has been an eye-witness to most of the county’s growth from the pioneer
days.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Pages 597-598. Lewis Pub.
Co. Chicago, Illinois 1890.
© 2009 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Biographies
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
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