Henry Davis was the son of James and Emma Martha Edwards Davis. Henry immigrated from England to America in 1849, following other siblings who had already immigrated. His parents and younger siblings followed in 1854.

After Henry arrived in Chicago to meet his brother Samuel, he suffered with cholera. After recovery, he moved on to Knox County where he and his brother boarded in the home of Eleanor Hammon. Samuel was a mason and Henry worked as a laborer. Henry became a blacksmith. Samuel and Henry initally purchased a farm and then later sold it and bought separate properties.

Henry married Elizabeth Betterton, daughter of Owen and Nancy Ann Moon Betterton, on November 14, 1858 in Knox County, Illinois.

Henry and his wife Elizabeth lived in an old house on the farm until the new farmhouse was built and it is believed that some of the children were born there. Henry continued to farm as well as maintain a blacksmith and wagon repair shop out of the old farmhouse near the farm home.

Henry died suddenly at his house west of Hermon in 1896. He was in good health at the time, but suffered from excessive heat and exertion while driving some stock. Other complications set in, with fatal results.

Henry and Elizabeth had thirteen children:

Emma Almet(1865-1938) married Jacob Lee Wisdom
William Owen (1859-1935) married Anna H. Bonham
Martha Jane (1861-1928) married Elijah J. Brown
George R. (1863-1864) died before 1st birthday
Cyrus (1866-1946) married Ethel L. Cashman
Elizabeth (1871-1962) married James W. Shiplett
Reuben (1872-1934) married Olive M. Cline
Anna May (1874-1923) married Rufas J. Callison
Evaline (1875-1939) married Stanton E. Merris
Edith (1879-1920) married Henry A. Spies
Judson L. (1868-1937) never married
Pamela (1869-1873) died at age 4
Cora (1877-1879) died at age 2

The above biography is from "Our Ancestors, Havlik, LaHue, Ryman, Wisdom" by Laurence L. Wisdom now under the stewardship of Jan Lange and with thanks to Thomas J. Bittman and his excellent online history, "The Family History of Henry Davis and Elizabeth Betterton of Knox County, Illinois".