Author: Brant & Fuller (1893)
from "Memorial Record of Alabama"

WILLIAM B. DAVIS. - Conspicuous among the prosperous planters of Barbour
county is William B. Davis, who was born in the county of Russell, Ala., on the
27th day of February, 1815. His father, Gardner H. Davis, a wealthy planter and
prominent man of southern Alabama, was born in Upson county, Ga., in the year
1804, and came to this state prior to the Indian war of 1836, in which he took a
part. He settled in Russell county, which he represented in the legislature in
the year 1862, and while a member of that body opposed the ordinance of
secession, being one of the leading whigs in the assembly. When the war broke
out, however, he cast his fortunes with the south, and while too old to take an
active part in the struggle, sent five sons to the front, all of whom did
valiant service for the Confederacy, He was married in Upson county, Ga., to
Mary Trice, whose family were for many years residents of Talbot county, that
state, where one of them, Dr. Zach Trice, became an eminent physician and
surgeon. About ten years after his marriage, Mr. Davis settled in Russell
county, Ala., near the town of Salem, thence moved to Glenville, in what was
then Barbour county, and died there in March, 1873. His widow survived him until
August, 1879, at which time she was laid to rest in the old burial ground beside
her husband. They had a family of eleven children, the following of whom are
living at this time, namely: Hiram A., E. M., William B., Sallie, wife of J. J.
Blackstock, Zach L., Mrs. Julia Owens, John G. and Emma, wife of J. M. Jones.
The gentleman for whom this sketch is prepared was raised on a farm near
Glenville, Russell county, and during the years of his youth and early manhood
assisted his father in agriculture. He attended such schools as the county
afforded at intervals until the breaking out of the war, and in July, 1863,
enlisted in the Seventh Confederate Partisan Rangers, with which he served until
his company was disbanded a few months later and re-organized as a part of the
Tenth Georgia cavalry. He served with the regiment in the exciting campaign of
Virginia and participated in the memorable raids around Petersburg, and was in
the breastworks of that city when Grant made his celebrated attack. He returned
home before the surrender and since the war has been following agricultural
pursuits in the neighborhood where he now resides. He purchased his present
beautiful plantation of 1,200 acres, four miles from Eufaula, about the year
1877 and now he has one of the finest and most comfortable homes in Barbour
county, where he dispenses a genuine old-fashioned southern hospitality. Mr.
Davis is regarded as one of the solid men of the county and few have made as
thorough success of agriculture, to which useful calling he has devoted the best
years of his life. He has been prominently identified with the grange movement
ever since its organization. He is a democrat in his political belief, and
belongs to the Methodist church, in which for a period of seventeen years he has
filled the office of steward. April 23, 1867, Mr. Davis and Mary L., daughter of
T. R. Coleman, were united in the bonds of wedlock. They have had two children,
one dying in infancy and the other, Thomas E., at the age of fifteen years.

*Middle name provided by contributor 46900531.