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Almon Davis

The subject of this sketch, who is a well known dealer in hardware and agricultural implements, also proprietor of the largest wagon, carriage and general repair establishment at Alpha, is a native of Rock county, Wisconsin, where he was born July 12, 1851. When six years old he was brought to Fayette county, Iowa, by his parents and here grew to maturity, spending the summer seasons at various kinds of labor and the winter months in the pineries of Wisconsin, the meanwhile, as opportunities afforded, attending the public schools, until acquiring a fair knowledge of the branches constituting the prescribed course of study. When a young man he turned his attention to carpentry and after becoming a proficient workman found remunerative employment at the trade, which he followed with success and financial profit until 1894. While thus engaged he built a number of private residences in various parts of the country, also several church edifices and other structures, and in the year 1908 erected the large two-story brick business block, twenty-five by fifty feet in area, which he now owns and occupies, having been engaged in his present line of trade since 1894.

Mr. Davis carries large and complete lines of hardware, handles all kinds of agricultural implements and machinery and by strict attention to business and honorable methods has built up an extensive patronage which from the beginning has grown steadily in magnitude and importance. In his shop he is prepared to do with neatness and dispatch all kinds of repairing on wagons, carriages and other vehicles, also in various other lines and his success in this establishment is in keeping with that of his mercantile trade, the two yielding him a handsome income, making him one of the leading business men of the town. In addition to the large and carefully selected stock referred to he also deals quite extensively in gasoline engines, his patronage in this line being larger than that of any man in Alpha similarly engaged.

Mr. Davis is a public spirited man in all the term implies, although he has never sought office nor had any ambition to distinguish himself as a politician or leader. He served several years as justice of the peace and acquitted himself with ability and credit in that position, his rulings having always been fair and impartial and his decisions just and satisfactory to litigants. He cast his first Presidential vote for U.S. Grant (second term), since which time he has been somewhat independent in political affairs, although he supported President Roosevelt in his campaign and doubtless would do so again should the opportunity present itself. Fraternally, he stands high in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a zealous worker in the subordinate lodge and encampment and is also a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the lodge at Waucoma, in which, as well as in the former organization, he has been honored with important offices from time to time.

On December 31, 1877, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Davis and Mattie Savage, of Ohio, daughter of Reuben P. Savage, of that state, a lady of intelligence and culture and in every respect suited to be the companion and help-meet of her energetic and wide-awake husband. Mrs. Davis came to Fayette county to live with her sister, Mrs. Frank Talcott, of Maynard, and it was in Illyria township that she first met the gentleman with whom her life and fortunes have since been linked. Two children have blessed their union, the older of whom, Richard D., is his father’s business partner and manager of the repair department. He married Tena Stone, daughter of Walter Stone, of Eden township, the union being without issue.

Fleeta E., the second in order of birth, was educated in the public schools of Waucoma and in a normal school and for two years was one of the popular teachers of Fayette county. She is still prosecuting her studies and has before her a promising future.

~transcribed for the Fayette Co IAGenWeb Project by Nancy Schroeder