Census: 1860 Jackson Center, Shelby Co., Ohio: age 14
Census: 1880 Carlton, Tama Co., Iowa: age 30, minister

Served in the Civil War. J. T. Davis was the first pastor of the Riverside, CA, SDB Church. John and Lydia were 1st cousins "The Sabbath Recorder", Vol 116, No 8, p 181, April 16, 1934. Rev. John T. Davis, son of James Madison and Amanda Jane Finch Davis, was born in Jackson Center, Ohio, September 14, 1846, and died in Riverside, Calif., March 21, 1934. He was one of a family of vigorous constitution, his brother Ervin F. and his sister Elizabeth Jane each lacking less than a month in attaining ninety years of age. His early education was meager, being only that of the log school of his community. When he was fifteen, the Civil War broke out and he was anxious to enlist, but as his father refused consent until he was eighteen, he waited until that time, when he enlisted at the earliest opportunity, joining Company F, 191st Ohio Infantry on February 27, 1865 In 1868, after having moved to Iowa, he married Lydia Sarah Knight. To them were born five children: twin babies who died in infancy; N. Wardner, who has spent most of his mature life near Riverside; Ernest W., who passed away on December 26, 1933, and who was a teacher in the Culver City High School at the time of his death; and Mrs. Ethlyn Copeland, who has lived with and tenderly cared for her father through the years. The wife and mother died in 1891. While still a young farmer in Iowa, Mr. Davis felt an urgent call to the gospel ministry. He continued to support his family while securing his higher education. He attended Albion Academy, Milton College, and Alfred University, at which last named institution he earned the degrees of B. A. and Ph. B. During most of these years of study he served as pastor or supply for one, and sometimes two, Seventh Day Baptist churches. The following list of churches will indicate his principal fields of labor: Humboldt, Neb.; Welton, Iowa; Hartsville and Hornell, N. Y.; Chicago, Ill.; Colony Heights, Calif.; New Auburn, Minn.; Scott, N. Y.; Riverside, Calif.; Garwin and Marion, Iowa; West Edmeston and Leonardsville, N. Y.; and Farina, Ill. While serving the church in Riverside he spent some time each year as a missionary and colporteur, traveling as far up the coast as Bellingham, Wash. In this work he often went on horseback to reach his appointments in the mountains. Out of this labor among scattered Sabbath keepers has come the Pacific Coast Association of Seventh Day Baptists. Several Seventh Day Baptist ministers have come out of the churches which he served, either directly or indirectly inspired by his ministry, among whom are T. J. Van Horn, James H. Hurley, Charles S. Sayre, Eli F. Loofboro, and L. F. Hurley. Few men have had a higher sense of honor than he. Those who knew him best were always impressed with his unshaken fidelity to the truth and the right, as God gave him to see the truth and the right. Humble and conscious of his own weakness, he was ever ready to acknowledge his faults and blunders, and seek the forgiveness of men even as he sough the forgiveness of God. Loyal to the church and its appointments so long as strength would permit, he became a growing inspiration to his brethren. Even after body and mind had both appreciably failed, the reverence and beauty and majestic dignity of his prayers impressed all who heard them, and spoke eloquently of the beauty of the fellowship which he shared with the Father. His last days were beautiful. For three months and a half he was unable to get out of bed, but there was never a word of complaint or petulance. He awaited the end with quiet assurance. "I do not know," he said, "What the wisdom of God will see fit to do with me, but I have no worry about it. I just trust his love." So he died in peace, full of years, full of service, and full of love to men and to God. Funeral services were held in the Preston Funeral Parlors on Sabbath afternoon, March 24, in charge of his pastor, Rev. Loyal F. Hurley, assisted by Rev. Edward S. Ballenger, and burial was in the Montecito Memorial Park. L.F.H.

Census: 1850 Jackson Center, Shelby Co., Ohio: age 10
Census: 1880 Carlton, Tama Co., Iowa: age 38, Lydia S.