Davies, Thomas M.

The following data is extracted from Racine, Belle City of the lakes, and Racine County, Wisconsin : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement.

Thomas M. Davies, a lifelong resident of Racine County, save for a brief period spent in Iowa, is now actively and successfully engaged in general farming on section 34, Mount Pleasant Township, where he has made his home continuously since 1882. He was born April 2, 1851, in the town of Mount Pleasant, Racine County, a son of Morris and Mary Davies, who were natives of Wales and early in 1843 crossed the Atlantic, making their way at once to this County. The family home was established in Mount Pleasant Township and there the father continued to engage in farming until his death, which occurred in 1886. His wife survived him for almost two decades, passing away in 1905, the remains of both being interred in Mound cemetery. They were both members of the Congregational church, the teachings of which guided them in all the relations of life, and in his political views Mr. Davies was a republican.

Thomas M. Davies was one of a family of six children, of whom four are now living. At the usual age he became a pupil in the district schools, which he attended until he reached the age of seventeen, after which he gave his undivided attention to the work of the home farm until he was twenty-three years of age. He then went to Iowa and spent about eight or nine months in the vicinity of Iowa City, but on the expiration of that period returned and began farming on his own account on rented land. He carefully saved his earnings until his frugality and enterprise had brought him a sufficient sum to enable him in 1882 to purchase one hundred and twenty acres of land. Upon this farm he has since remained and in the intervening period, covering more than a third of a century, his labors have wrought a marked change in the appearance of the place owing to his progressive method of developing the fields, cultivating the crops and adding all modern improvements in the way of farm machinery and other equipment.

On the 12th of November, 1885, Mr. Davies was married to Miss Sarah Jones, a daughter of Edward H. and Sarah Jones, who were early settlers of this County, but were natives of Wales, where they were reared and married, coining to the United States about 1850. They at once established their home in Racine County and the father took up the occupation of farming, which he followed continuously until his death, which occurred in 1889. His wife survived until 1905 and their graves were made in Mound cemetery. They were both worthy Christian people, holding membership in the Welsh Congregational church and in his political views Mr. Jones was a republican. They had a family of seven children: Edward, Ann, Harry and Solomon, all four of whom are deceased; and Mary, Elizabeth and Sarah, who are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Davies were born six children: William, living in Mount Pleasant; Annie, the wife of Elmer Acklam; Edna, the Wife of Arthur Wilson: Elmer, living in Kenosha County ; and Eddie and Edgar, twins, at home.

Mr. Davies is a member of the Modern Woodmen camp at Corliss. His political allegiance is given to the Republican Party and for six years he served as a member of the town board. He was also road commissioner for a number of years and has always been loyal in his duties of citizenship, doing everything in his power to promote public progress and to uphold those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the community finds in him a representative citizen, a capable business man and a faithful friend. In his entire business career he has ever recognized the fact that industry is the basis of all honorable success and upon his diligence and determination he has built his prosperity.

Source: Racine, Belle City of the lakes, and Racine County, Wisconsin : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement

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