Source: History of Boone County, Indiana, by Hon. L.M. Crist, 1914.

EDGAR W. DAVIS There has been developed in recent years a new kind of business
man. We now have the expert in business methods. Men are finding employment at large
salaries who go into business houses or concerns previously unknown to them and after
making a thorough study of the bookkeeping, cost of production and of selling and the
general methods employed in the establishment, make recommendations for their
improvement. When successful business men, manufacturers and financiers recognize the
value of outside and scientific knowledge applied to their special lines of business, it is
indeed time the farmer began to recognize and appreciate the help which it is possible for
him to obtain from the scientific facts and principles underlying his methods and practice.
One of the wide-awake and careful twentieth century agriculturists and stock men of Eagle
township, Boone county, who never loses an opportunity to seize and apply a helpful idea
to his chosen vocation, is Edgar W. Davis, and as a result of his vigilance, close
observation and industry, he has made a pronounced success on his fine Sunny Side farm.

Mr. Davis was born in Green Lake county, Wisconsin, November 24, 1856, on a farm,
and he is the son of John W. Davis, who was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts,
who was a son of Bela Davis, a pioneer of Wisconsin, who was also a native of
Massachusetts. John W. Davis married Harriet Stever of Trumbull county, Ohio. She was
of Mohawk Dutch or Holland ancestry. Five children were born to John W. Davis and
wife, namely: Edgar W., of Zionsville, Indiana; Calvert J., of Denver, Colorado; Robert
H., who died in September, 1884; John R. is a locomotive engineer on the Belt railroad,
Indianapolis, Indiana; James B., one of the well known life insurance men of the United
States is superintendent of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. The father of these
children who devoted his life successfully to farming, now seventy-nine years of age, lives
in Indianapolis with his son, John R. Davis. On February 20, 1911, the mother passed to
her rest at the age of seventy-three years. They were excellent people and worthy members
of the Methodist church.

Edgar W. Davis was reared on the home farm and educated in the district schools,
however most of his education has been obtained by contact with the world at large. He
entered the railroad service at the age of twenty years and has railroaded continuously since
that time. He began with the Big Four Railroad Company, on January 10, 1876, and is one
of the pioneer engineers in Indiana, having remained thirty-seven years with the above
named company, during which time he was regarded as one of their most faithful and
trusted employees; always known as a careful, thoughtful, conscientious and able man
where his duties were required, and he had few accidents, and he ranks fifth in point of
years of service with that road. He began working in the roundhouse as helper, then
became fireman and eventually engineer, and no man in the state has a better record as
engineer than he. He was never reduced or "laid off" for mistakes or faults, as is so often
the case with railroad men. Thirty-three years out of the thirty-seven were spent as
engineer.

Mr. Davis was married December 30, 1878, to Susie D. Allen, a woman of many
praiseworthy characteristics, and a native of Decatur county, Indiana. She is a daughter of
John and Anna Allen. Mr. Davis has lived in Indiana thirty-seven years. Seven years ago
he purchased thirty-three and one-half acres of rich bottom land in Eagle township, and
here he is spending his declining years in quiet and comfort in his cozy home which is
appropriately called Sunny Side, which is in the midst of beautiful surroundings. He farms
his little place scientifically, although not on so large a scale as many of his neighbors. He
keeps a high grade of Jersey cows and Plymouth Rock chickens.

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis, namely: Anna E. is the wife of C. A. Mills,
of Indianapolis; Lillie Susie is the wife of H. B. Dynes, also of Indianapolis; Mary E. is at
home with her father; Leonard W. is at home; Lorin Albert is at home; Edgar died in
infancy. The wife and mother was called to her rest at the age of fifty-five years on May
18, 1913. She has been a very faithful helpmeet and was a kind mother and a good
neighbor, whom everybody esteemed. . She was praised by her many friends for her
beautiful christian character.

Politically, Mr. Davis is a Republican. He belongs to the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers, Lodge No. 492, at Indianapolis, in which he has been active. He is one of the
best known railroad men in this section of the state and, being a genial, companionable
gentleman has an exceptionally wide circle of friends.

ALLEN DAVIS DYNES MILLS STEVER

Submitted by Amy K Davis