Obit: Davis, William H. (1860 – 1933)
Poster: Crystal Wendt

Surname: Davis, Thomas, Clark, McCann, Rath, Wilding, Smith, Southard, Longenecker, Hocking, Longmire

Source: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 27 July 1933

Davis, William H. (22 May 1860 – 21 July 1933)

Another automobile accident Friday morning, July 21, added to the long list of tragedies that have saddened this community in the past few weeks, resulted in the death of W. H. Davis, one of the best known and highly respected citizens of the town of Washburn. Mr. Davis and M. C. Thomas were at the home of a neighbor, Martin Clark, who lives on Highway 78, a short distance east of Mr. Thomas’ home. Mr. Thomas had his car Mr. Davis stepped on the running board intending to ride down the road a short distance to his mail box and get his mail. As they drove out into the highway, Clayton McCann, driving a heavy milk truck, came along and in some way the two vehicles came together, Mr. Davis being caught between them and sustaining severe injuries.

Dr. Rath of Granton was summoned, Lowe’s ambulance called from Neillsville, and the injured man taken to Dr. Rath’s office in Granton. He remained in the ambulance awaiting the arrival of Mr. Davis’s daughter, Mrs. A. E. Wilding from Neillsville. Soon after her arrival and just as they were about to start with Mr. Davis for the hospital, he passed away.

The accident occurred about 9:30 a.m. and Mr. Davis died about two hours later.

William H. Davis, the son of William Henry and Rebecca Davis, was born in Sugar Grove, Wis., May 22, 1860.

He married Miss Lora Smith of Sugar Grove in 1883. He worked as a carpenter and then took up a homestead in South Dakota. He lived there three years and proved up on his claim, and then returned to Sugar Grove.

In 1896, thirty-seven years ago, he brought his family to Washburn, Clark County, to the farm which was his home the rest of his life. It was then all wild land. He has cleared his entire farm and erected buildings. He was a member of the Disciple church, and a lover of the Bible—scrupulously honest, a good man.

Mr and Mrs. Davis had four children. A daughter, Marie, died when seven years old. Mrs. Davis died nines years ago. He was the last of his father’s family, four brothers and two sisters having preceded him in death.

Mr. Davis leaves to mourn his loss his daughter; Mattie, Mrs. Arthur Wilding, of Neillsville; Lena Southard of Marshfield, and his son, Ira, of Milwaukee. He also leaves five grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and many friends.

Funeral services were held in the Congregational church of Neillsville, on Monday, July 24m, at 2 p.m., Rev. G. W. Longenecker officiating. Interment in the Neillsville cemetery.

Those from away attending the services were:

Alvin Davis, Emma Davis, Ross Hocking, Zora Hocking, Mr and Mrs. Harvey Longmire and son, Leonard, all of Vernon County; Mr. and Mrs. ? Davis and two children of Milwaukee; Mrs. Lena Southard and children, and Maxine and Gerald, of Marshfield.