Wayne County Press
January 24, 1901

From the Carmi papers we learn that, formerly a well known business man of Burnt Prairie, died at Mobile, Ala., early Sunday morning, January 13, 1901. Speaking of his death the Carmi Democrat of last week contained the following:

A message was received here Monday morning by Mr. Dan H. Graham announcing the death of B. F. Davis at Mobile, Alabama, where the family had but recently gone to spend the winter with the hope of prolonging the life of Mr. Davis. For a number of years he has been an invalid and it has been the custom of the family to go south during the winter season (unreadable) paralytic stroke some time ago had so far weakened his condition as to make his life doubtful.

The family arrived here with the remains Monday afternoon. The body was taken to the residence of Dan H. Graham where it lay in state until the following day. The funeral services were conducted at the Methodist church by Rev. Taylor, assisted by Presiding Elder Reid, after which the body was interred at Maple Ridge cemetery.

B. F. Davis was born in Augusta, Georgia, December, 1822. He was the youngest son of Hezekiah and Martha Davis, natives of South Carolina, who moved to Georgia. They afterward came to this county, arriving here when the subject of this sketch was but one year old. They settled on a farm in the Skillet Fork in Burnt Prairie township, where the father soon afterward died. The mother was afterwards married to Josiah Fulford. Mr. Davis started out to make his own way at the age of seventeen. By dint of hard work and economy he saved enough money to purchase a farm of his own. Since that time he had steadily added to his possessions until he was one of the wealthiest men in the county. His landed interests probably comprised 1500 acres. He was proud of the fact that he was a self made man. In 1858 he went to Liberty and entered the merchandise business.

He was married to Mary J. Graham, daughter of Dan H. Graham and Mrs. Leonard Ward, of this city. Five children were to them, three of whom survive to comfort a widowed mother. They are Victoria A. Davis, Sue C. Davis and Mrs. Mary E. Stevenson.

Mr. Davis has been quite a factor in the business life of White county. He was not interested in politics but was a Republican. To his earnest attention to business and his avoidance of diverting affairs he owes much of his successs. The news of his death will cause a feeling of genuine sadness to all who knew him.