As you recall in Chapter III "Colorado", we told you that Grandma Nettle Turner Davis died in childbirth. It was January 29, 1909 about 2 months before Teddy Roosevelt left the Presidency.
Grandpa Davis had six kids under age twelve including baby Noble. Maude May, and Edna were counted on to help with the younger Davis children.
In 1911 when Grandma Culbertson was widowed her youngest was 10 and her older sons were taking care of the place but with World War I not too far away and the Davis' needing a mother in the home a wedding was eminent.
It is now 1913, the first year of Woodrow Wilson's Presidency and the granting of power to Congress to levy and collect a Federal Income Tax. It was also the year when Grandpa Davis' eldest son, Luther Broone, was 14 years old and his youngest child, Noble James was 4 years old.
Grandma Eliza Culbertson's youngest girl, Winnie, was 12 years old. The exact date is unknown, but about this time Harvey B. Davis married Eliza Ellen Embry Culbertson merging the two families.
May, 1916 Grandpa Davis rode his pony into Calhan and told the County Clerk, "I want a license so my son Luther can marry my wife's girl, Winnie". This wedding took place May 8, 1916 and to this union was born six children:
Francis Harvey Davis, April 25, 1917, "Frank" was the first baby boy born in the St. Francis Hospital at Colorado Springs, Colorado hence his name Francis. The proceeding February 28, 1917 was the date U. S. declared war on Germany in World War I. Dad, Luther B. Davis, was under 21, farming and had a family when conscription of American Expedition Forces (AEF) started in May 1917, so he did not have to go to war. Uncles Roy and Clarence Culbertson served in the AEF.
Viola Pearl Davis was born in 1919. She died as an infant. A midwife was used with her birth as well as the last four boys.
The 2nd son was born February 2, 1921. He was named after Aunt Mabel's husband Dick Elmer Easom and a neighbor by the name of Oney Johnson. Elmer Oney Davis was raised as the middle child of the 3 boys that lived. Warren G. Harding was just starting his term as 29th President of the U.S. when Elmer was born.
Alfred William Davis, October 10, 1922. I am the writer of this account of the Davis family. Third son of Luther Broone Davis and Winnie Pearl Culbertson Davis. I got the name Alfred from my Mother's brother Alfred Leroy Culbertson, here to fore, just referred to as "Roy". The name, William, of course comes from Mom's dad, John Williams Culbertson. Harding was still President. About the only other thing of importance that happened in 1922 was the opening of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C..
Leonard Luther Davis was born in 1924 and died as an infant.
Alvin Leroy Davis was born in 1926 and also died as an infant. I have vague recollections of this event. Elmer and I asked to stay out in the yard while all the excitement was taking place in the house.
The deceased sister, Viola and the two brothers, Leonard and Alvin are buried in Country Cemetery near the old Columbine School house just north of Rush, Colorado.
You may recall in Chapter II "Oklahoma" Harvey "Grandpa" Davis and Nettie Turner Davis had Earl Ramon and Magnolia, then in Chapter III "Colorado" Ethel Ralene and Noble James were born.
Uncle Earl Davis never married. He will be mentioned in future chapters because he stayed pretty close to home, living with Grandpa Davis and helping with the chores as long as Grandpa had a place of his own.
Magnolia was raised by the Calhan Banker, D. D. Moberly. Aunt "Nola" told this writer that Mr. Moberly came over to the Davis homestead to take one of the boys to live with him and help around the house. Grandpa Davis said "you can't have the boys, I need them, but you can have THAT girl" referring to Aunt Nola. To this day Aunt Nola says "My Dad gave ME away".
She later met a "Greenhouse" farmer in Colorado Springs, Floyd Knox, raised her family, 2 girls and a boy, at 1118 E Uintah St. She still lives at the same place at the time of this writing.
The kids names are:
- Jaunita
- Ralph
- Betty
Ethel Ralene married Alfred Thompson and had four children:
- Gertrude
- Mildred
- Alfred "Taffy"
- Billy - Deceased
Aunt Ethel is still living in Colorado. Gertrude and her family as well as "Taffy" also live in Colorado. Mildred married Bill Walters and they live in Tacoma, Washington.
Noble James Davis, we will continue his story in the coming chapter titled "Idaho"