Davis - Randolph
Randolph DAVIS
Source: H. W. Beckwith History of Montgomery County, Indiana (Chicago: HH Hill, 1881) p 180
Among the early pioneer settlers in this County was Randolph DAVIS and family, Mr. Davis having emigrated in his youth from the state of NJ to Ohio where he was united in marriage with Miss Abigail HOEL of Butler Co, who was also born in NJ. Removed from Butler Co, Ohio, to Montgomery Co, Indiana in the year 1826 and settled in the almost unbroken forest of Brown Twp. The first family residence was in a rude log cabin, roofed with boards & floored with punchons, then occupied for some time without any chimney. The fire for cooking being placed against the logs at the side or end of the cabin, where the chimney was to be built, an opening was thus gradually burned out, and then a chimney of sticks and mud was erected and completed, with mud back, jambs and hearth. The cracks between the logs were filled with the same material, of which there was an abundant supply. The cabin now completed was found to be quite comfortable and convenient, answering admirably the purposes of kitchen, dining room, bedroom, sitting room and parlor. Having none of the modern inventions, such as stoves for cooking. Mrs. Davis, as all the pioneer women did, baked corndodgers on the skillet and pone in the big oven. The same table, though not of the extension pattern, suited well for both kitchen and dining room. Other furniture, such as chairs and stools, was plain, unvarnished and substantial. The bedsteads had each one post, and neither the mark of chisel, plane, screw or nail about them. Instead of an organ or piano the parlor was furnished with a well made and rich toned instrument of the spinning wheel variety. A flax-brake, scotching board and knife, a hatchel, wheel and loom, constituted a complete outfit for a first class domestic manufactory of coarse and fine linens, convertible into trousers, shirts, sheets, tablecloths, towels, etc. Mr. Davis being a man of energy and will, as well as muscular force, soon made an opening in the woods, which was enlarged from year to year until a farm yielding abundant crops of grain and grass was opened up. He possessed some military genius and taste, and took an active part in some of the first military organizations in the County, holding for years the rank and title of major. Mr. & Mrs. Davis raised a family of 4 sons and 3 daughters. The boys, Isaac, Jacob, Thompson and John received such home training on the farm as qualified them for future success in life. After many years of varied success in business and trade, Jacob d. at Crawfordsville in 1876. Isaac, Thompson and John are still living in this County, successfully engaged in farming and trading in stock. -- typed by kbz