Source:  Memorial Record of Butler County, Ohio - Publ. 1894 - Page 423

OLIVER P. DAVIS, a prominent farmer and stock-grower of Morgan Township, is a representative of the family of that name who were very early settlers in this township.  His father, J. J. Davis, was born on the farm which is now owned by his heirs, in this township, in 1832, and died while on a business trip to Leesdalo, Ala., Mar. 13, 1885.  He had previously been in good health, but was stricken with apoplexy.  His wife, still a widow, resides with her youngest son at Shelbyville, Ind.  She was formerly Mary J. Conrey, of Franklin County, Ind., where she was born in March, 1838.
     The family of our subject’s father consisted of four brothers, all living, of whom he is the eldest.  He was born Dec. 14, 1861, about one mile west from his present home.  Frank J. lives on the old homestead in Morgan Township, and was married to Lucy Gibson, formerly Lucy Mercer.  They have two children, Ford and Mercer.  Charles L. married Edith Clark, of Shelbyville, Ind., where they now live, and where he is a member of the Conrey-Bireley Table Company.  Lee C., the other son, is now at school in Shelbyville.  Our subject was educated in the common schools, and was brought up on the farm.  He became familiar with all the work incident to that occupation, and later in life made it his business, combined with the growing of stock.  He came into possession of a farm consisting of one hundred and thirty-five acres, partly by inheritance and partly by purchase.  In 1884 he built a fine house, where the family now lives.
     Oliver Perry Davis was united in marriage with Maude E. Smith, Jan. 31, 1884.  She is a daughter of George A. and Ann Smith, who are residents of Morgan Township.  They had a family of two daughters, Mrs. Davis being the only one living.  Mattie E. married W. O. Winn, and died after about one year of wedded life.  Mr. and Mrs. Davis have two bright children, Homer J. and Grace M., the former eight, and the latter four years old.
     Politically Mr. Davis has been a life-long Democrat, as was his father.  His brothers are of the same persuasion, and the entire family has always supported the candidates of that party.  Our subject is a recognized leader in local politics, and is a man of influence and standing in the community.  He served Morgan Township as Land Appraiser in 1890, being the youngest man occupying that responsible position in Butler County.  This office is a very important one, for according to the judgment of the incumbent the real-estate values are fixed for a period of ten years.
     Mr. Davis has also taken a commendable interest in educational matters, and has been on the Township School Board for the past ten years.  He usually attends the nominating conventions of his party, and is generally Advisory Committeeman of his party in his precinct.  He is a member of Okeana Lodge No. 641, K. of P., and has been Master of Finance since its organization.  He is liberal in religious views, and not connected with any church.  Mrs. Davis is a consistent member of the Christian Church, and a lady of refinement and intelligence.  They have a pleasant, happy home, and together dispense with liberal hand a generous hospitality.  Mr. Davis has a good knowledge of current events, is something of a student of political economy and is well informed generally upon the more important questions of the day.
Source:  Memorial Record of Butler County, Ohio - Publ. 1894 - Page 375

WASHINGTON BEVIS DAVIS, among his friends more often styled Squire Davis, is the genial and hospitable proprietor of a pleasant home and well improved farm in Hanover Township.  For upwards of twenty years he has served as Justice of the Peace, and his decisions, which are always characterized by strict fairness and sound judgment, have ever been sustained by high authorities, with one single exception.
     Squire Davis is a native of Hamilton County, this state, where his birth occurred July 16, 1831.  He is of Welsh ancestry, as his paternal great grandfather was a native of Wales.  In Colonial days he crossed the briny deep and founded the family in New Jersey.  Our subject’s father, Joshua Davis, was born in New Jersey in 1803, and with his parents came to Ohio when twelve years of age, to remain permanently.  They had nine years previously come to this state, but did not remain long at that time. The family settled in Colerain Township, Hamilton County, where Joshua lived until 1864.  He then removed to Oxford Township, of this county, where he resided until his death, some twenty years later, on Dec. 17, 1884.  His widow, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Bevis, is still living in Oxford.  She was born in Hamilton County, Dec. 1, 1812, and was married Oct. 26, 1828.   She reared a family of eleven children to maturity, one having died in infancy.
     In his father’s family Squire Davis is the eldest son and second in order of birth.  He grew to manhood in the county where he was born, receiving his education in the common schools and at Farmers’ College, where he was a student for a short time.  After leaving college he successfully engaged in teaching for seven years.  May 15, 1856, he wedded Clarissa Margaret Beaty, who was born and reared on the farm adjoining the place where she now resides, May 16, 1837, being the date of her birth.  Her parents were James and Jane Beaty, both of whom are now deceased.  After his marriage Mr. Davis engaged in farming, and continued so employed until a few years since, when he sold out his personal property to his son, and now lives comparatively retired.  The farm consists of one hundred and forty-two acres, improved with fences, barns and other necessary buildings.
     Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis, the eldest of whom died in infancy. The others are as follows: Washington Beaty, who is teaching in Blackburn University in Illinois; Jane Elizabeth, who resides at home; Hattie Ellen, a stenographer; Charles Edgar, who died in 1891; James Albert, of Covington, Ky.; George Arthur, now superintending the home farm; and Amie Etta, Mrs. Dr. Marshall, of Hamilton.
     A man temperate in all his habits, Squire Davis belongs to a family remarkable for their sobriety and abstinence from the use of tobacco, as neither of his grandparents, uncles, nor any member of his immediate family have ever used the article in any form.  In religious faith Mr. Davis is a Presbyterian, and to that denomination his wife has adhered for many years.  Formerly a Whig, the Squire has supported the principles of the Republican party since its organization.  In 1864 he was for about four months in the Union service, holding the rank of Lieutenant of Company K, One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Regiment of Ohio National Guards.  In local politics, he does not adhere strictly to the line of his party, but uses his influence and ballot for the man whom he considers best qualified.  He has never sought official recognition, but has held the office of Township Clerk, although this locality boasts of a large Democratic majority.  As a Justice he always endeavors to arrange settlements of differences in a peaceable and reasonable manner, and never encourages litigation.
Source:  Memorial Record of Butler County, Ohio - Publ. 1894 - Page 204