The subject of this notice was born in Williamson county, Tenn., Dec. 25, 1821. He lived in his native county until a few years ago, when he moved to Coopertown, Robertson county, Tenn. where he lived until the morning of Dec. 19, 1890, when the dark angel of death called him from earth, at the ripe age of 68 years 11 months and 24 days, leaving a weeping wife and sorrowing children to mourn the loss of husband and father. He was married to Mary A. Gray April 28, 1842. To them were born twelve children, six of whom preceded their father to the grave. In October 1868, the sable curtains of death were drawn over his home, and robbed him of his wife, and his children of their Christian mother. He was married to Mary M. Dodson April 3, 1869. To them were born five children, some of whom are too young to realize what they have lost in the death of their father. As a preacher of the gospel, Bro. Davis was well known and much loved, having preached for more than forty years of his life. In the pulpit he was earnest, logical and eloquent, and while he would not sacrifice any principle of truth, he was reasonable conciliating, and manifested respect for the opinions of those who differed with him, and the kindest feeling for all, which rendered him very popular as a preacher, and in this way, he got the ears and won the hearts of many, that could not have been reached otherwise. His life's work was chiefly done in Tennessee, and long will he live in the hearts of his brethren. On Saturday evening Dec. 20th, in the presence of a large circle of friends, the writer conducted the burial service. Many voices seemed united in saying, a great and good man, an affectionate husband, a kind father, a good preacher, a useful citizen, and a friend to all, has left the walks of man. Peaceful be his slumbers while he waits the coming of his Lord. ---W. B. Wright., Elkton, Ky.
Gospel Advocate, March 18, 1891, page 171.

Gospel preacher listed in Biographical Sketches of Gospel Preachers by H. Leo Boles.
When we delve into the record of the past and study the lives of those who have played a great part in the onward march of human affairs, we find that the men and women who lived, loved, and labored in quietness and sometimes in obscurity, have been great factors in spreading Christianity. The Christ while upon earth walked among the lowly and filled his mission. Those who walk in his footsteps do not seek "the limelight" or visit frequently the broadcast station. The leaders of any movement have their names inscribed high on the honor roll, but those in the rank and file of the masses are soon forgotten. The thousands upon thousands of the Lord's people today are unknown to the public, and their faithful service in the name of Christ is not broadcast to the world; yet these common people are doing more, because their number is greater, to bear the burdens and further the progress of the cause of Christ than those whose names are heralded through the religious press. Many of the gospel preachers of today are working in humility and quietness, far from the" broadcasting station," and in the deep recesses of rural life and segregated sections of the city. Many preachers of the gospel whose names are not known by the present generation have labored and sacrificed much for the cause of Christ. Again we have another one of these faithful gospel preachers. F. H. Davis was born near Franklin, in Williamson County, Tenn., on December 25, 1821. He grew to manhood in his native county, and received just such an education as the advantage young person did of that day. He had no advantages of a college education, yet he was endowed with a' strong intellect and a burning desire to do something good in this world. Early in life he entertained the hope of leaving human society better because he had lived. This desire helped to make him good and great in the sight of God. Little is known of his parents. What scant information we have concerning them bears evidence that they were good, honest, hard-working people. They taught their children to work, and that idleness was a sin. Young Davis was taught to read the Bible; in fact, his first reading was done in the Bible. His people were pious and impressed upon his young and tender mind a holy reverence for the Bible as the word of God. When he read the Bible, he regarded it as God speaking to him. He did not read it for mere entertainment or pastime; as he read it daily he gained from it a profound sense of his responsibility to God. As he grew to manhood the impression that he should do what it taught men to do deepened in his heart and helped to form his character. He became a Christian in early manhood and lived faithful to the end. There were few preachers of the gospel at that time who could assist him in learning God's will. He was surrounded by those who were enslaved in the bondage of sectarianism and who were confused with the religious superstition of that age. It took a brave heart to withstand the ridicule of the enemies of the church at that time. Brother Davis was equal to the task. At the age of twenty-one, on April 28, 1842, he was married to Mary A. Gray. Twelve children were born to them. Brother Davis had but little of this world's goods and had to toil incessantly in order to support his family. He regarded it as one of his Christian duties to provide for his family. In October, 1868, his home was saddened by the death of his wife and the mother of his children. His wife had encouraged him in living the Christian life and was a great help in teaching the children the word of God. Through her influence and encouragement, Brother Davis began preaching the gospel. He married the second time on April 3, 1869. His second wife was Mary N. Dodson. He had five children by his last wife. He had a family of seventeen children. He sought earnestly to train them to become Christians at the age of accountability to God. His children have been faithful factors in the church, and have done much to spread Christianity by living before men the principles of Christianity. If Brother Davis had done nothing more than to give to the world seventeen men and women who feared God and kept his commandments, he would have made a success in life. He did this and much more. As a preacher of the gospel, Brother Davis was true to the word of God. All who knew him loved him for his clean life and his consecration to the word of God. In the pulpit he was earnest in presenting his sermons. He had no levity and preached the word of God as a dying man to dying men. All who heard him were profoundly impressed with his solemnity and reverence in handling the truths of God. His sermons were arranged and presented in logical order. Oftentimes his earnestness burst forth in eloquence and persuasion, and by his logic he was enabled to convince his hearers and by his eloquence he was able to persuade them to accept Christ. His manner and style of preaching suited the common folks and among his class he lived and labored. He had deep convictions and would not sacrifice any principle of truth to suit the people; yet he had the tact and conciliation to win many adversaries. He showed due respect for the conflicting opinions of others, and was deeply in sympathy with them because they were in error. Many, many were turned from the error of their way into the glorious truths of God through his kindness in presenting the gospel terms of salvation to them. His life's work was done principally in Tennessee, and very few times did he leave his native State on missions of preaching the gospel. He often said that he had but two things to do in winning people to the Lord. These were (1) to show them their error with kindness and sympathy; (2) to read to them the will of the Lord. When he had done these two things with his usual earnestness, they were ready to obey the Lord. He received very little for his services in preaching the gospel. He preached for more than forty years, and during all these years he received practically nothing for his preaching. He made his living and supported his family, and at the same time preached the gospel. Very few churches in Middle Tennessee that did not receive some blessing through Brothel' Davis. If there were such gospel preachers today, the church of our Lord would prosper as it did then. Late in his life he moved from Williamson County to Robertson County, Tenn. He located at Coopertown in that county. It was here that he died on December 19, 1890. Many have forgotten him, and but few of the present generation have ever heard of this faithful servant of God, yet his works and his influence continue. "Though dead he speaks in reason's ear, And in example lives. His faith, and hope, and earnest deeds still fresh instruction gives." Brother Davis was an affectionate husband, a kind father, a faithful gospel preacher, a useful citizen, and a friend to all men. He filled his mission well. Cf. Gospel Advocate, Aug. 14, 1930, 782.

He had 12 children by Mary Ann Gray and 5 children by Mary Manila Reeves. A son from the second marriage, Burton Warfield Davis (1877-1926), was my grandfather and preached at many places including Ashland City; Akron, Ohio; and Tracy City, and Placenta, CA. ---Jackie Hill, great-granddaughter.

He is Gone
I am sad today and I feel as though I would love to hide myself from those of my household, and let my thoughts have free intercourse with scenes of the past-scenes running back into my childhood and school boy days—and call up the echoes of the many flitting pleasures, hopes, fears, griefs and realities that make up life from the cradle to the grave, playmates, pass before me, and as I call up names, echo answers, they are dead. But why today should these thoughts come over me and cling so closely to me, that I cannot free myself from their influence?

Coopertown, Dec. 19 – Special to American- "Elder F. H. Davis died this morning about six o'clock, at the age of 69 years, after many weeks of extreme suffering." No wonder then when for forty-six years he was my teacher, my kinsman, my Christian friend to guide, to mould, to comfort, and to cheer. Yes, I have been his pupil, first in my abc's, then on and on he taught me the higher science "to love God, obey Christ, do good to all." In my successes he cheered me, in my disappointments he counseled, strengthened me; he was a friend in need, of quick impulse, full of honor, of great compassion, and earnest worker: he passed his life, evil spoken of but by few, honored as a man by many, loved as a father in Christ by many Christian children in various counties in Middle Tennessee, as I have seen tested. But he is gone, he will speak in the flesh no more, but his labor of love, his counsel to us should live with us still. It seems prophetic when he spoke of the meetings that he was then in, being over, he would take a long rest. No wonder he spoke with such pathos and tenderness to the children of God, advising, persuading, and beseeching them to be faithful. With what earnestness he entreated sinners to submit to God through the conditions in Christ. His work is done: we believe he has interest that rest for the weary. With an intimate acquaintance with him personally, I think I knew him; he was not an egotist in his daily business, in religion, nor in his preaching. Quick to apprehend, he was as quick to employ, and what he did know he was in earnest to impart to others. The cause of Christ has lost a faithful soldier. And it will be hard to find a man that will fill the place he occupies in the hearts of many Christians.

"Why lament the Christian dying?
Why indulge in tears of gloom?
Calmly on the Lord relying,
He can greet the opening tomb."

Watkins, TN by James K. Blackman

--Transcribed by Debbie Vance Hendrix, great-granddaughter.