He was born in 1836/37 (8 (24 in 1861), 9 (24 in 1861), 10 (24 in 1861)). He was born in Beaver, Pennsylvania (9, 10).
When he enlisted, he was a druggist (9, 10).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 5 inches tall, and had a light complexion, gray eyes, and red hair (9, 10).
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 16 November 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 8 [as private], 9, 10, 11, 12). He was enlisted for three years, by Captain Kayser, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (9, 10). He was mustered into service by Lieutenant Hall (9, 10). He was a sergeant in company B (1, 5, 16, 17, 18, 19).
On 14 April 1862, he was responsible for the sentinels at Douglas Hospital, and observed Patrick Gallagher and Joseph Keen drunk (15).
On 1 May 1862, he testified at the court martials of Patrick Gallagher and Joseph Keen (15).
On 8 September 1863, Sinex wrote that he was in Baltimore, Maryland, and asked that he be returned (3). He described him as a "strong able bodied man", who was unofficially said to be in the Veterans' reserve corps (3).
He was promoted to orderly sergeant on 22 June 1864, by regimental order (4, 5, 10).
He was wounded on 27 October 1864, near Hatcher's Run, Virginia (1, 8, 10).
He mustered out on 8 December 1864, when his term expired, by order of [or at] the United States Mustering and Disbursing Office, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 6 [mentions a wound, not expiration of term], 8 [expiration of term], 9 [expiration of term], 11, 12, 14). He was then first sergeant of company B (6, 16, 17, 18, 19).
On 23 April 1879, he successfully applied for a pension (12, 13).
In 1890, he was living at 14 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (11).
He died on 22 July 1901 (2). He was buried in plot 304 of the Philadelphia National Cemetery (2).
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster) (John N Davis)
2 Philadelphia National Cemetery, index of interments
3 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 8 September 1863
4 special order 48, HQ 91st PA, 22 June 1864 (J Newton Davis)
5 list of non-commissioned officers, co.B (John Newton Davis, J Newton Davis [2 entries])
6 company B, register of men discharged (J Newton Davis)
7 company B [first] descriptive roll, entry 5 (John Newton Davis) [no information]
8 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 30 May 2004 (John N Davis; rolls have 'Newton J Davis')
9 company B, [second] descriptive book, entry 1 (J Newton Davis)
10 company B, [third] descriptive roll, entry 50 (JN Davis)
11 1890 US census, veterans schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 171, page [1] (image 1193 on Ancestry), line 1 (John N Davis)
12 pension index, by regiment (John N Davis)
13 pension index, by name (John Newton Davis)
14 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 2 January 1865 (J N [?] Davis)
15 National Archives and Records Administration, Records of the Adjutant General, court-martial records, II 944 (J N Davis)
16 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John N Davis)
17 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John Newton Davis)
18 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (J Newton Davis)
19 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Newton J Davis)