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NOTE: Christopher C. Davis probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War. However, during the 10 month period that the 86th Illinois was in the Nashville, Tennessee area in 1862-63, Christopher, like most of the Union soldiers in the Nashville area, probably took the time to sit for a portrait to send home to the loved ones that he left behind. These portraits were printed in the form of what was called a "dagerreotype", a "tin type", or, most often, in the form of what was called a CDV. This was a paper picture glued to a...
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NOTE: Christopher C. Davis probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War. However, during the 10 month period that the 86th Illinois was in the Nashville, Tennessee area in 1862-63, Christopher, like most of the Union soldiers in the Nashville area, probably took the time to sit for a portrait to send home to the loved ones that he left behind. These portraits were printed in the form of what was called a "dagerreotype", a "tin type", or, most often, in the form of what was called a CDV. This was a paper picture glued to a heavier card stock about the size of a modern day baseball card, and the soldiers didn't just have one or two copies made. Most of the time, they had a dozen or more made, so they could swap pictures with their tentmates and messmates and also to send to their friends and loved ones back home.
Christopher C. Davis then survived the war and lived well into the 20th century. During his life, Christopher probably had his picture taken dozens of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of that CDV added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see. However, at this point, I would be thrilled just to see some more pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Corporal CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS DAVIS, Co. F, 86th Illinois
Christopher Columbus Davis was born on December 28, 1838 in or near Hillsborough, Ohio in Highland County, the son of Branson Davis and Martha Maria (Zimmerman) Davis. Branson Davis was born c. 1804 in Ohio, while Martha Maria (Zimmerman) Davis was born May 14, 1813/14 in Ross County, Ohio, the daughter of Andrew Zimmerman and Ruth Ann (Taylor) Zimmerman.
Branson Davis and Martha Maria Zimmerman must have been married in the late 1820's or very early 1830's. Their children include;
1. Allen Michael Davis, born September 17, 1832 near Centerfield, Ohio. Allen was married to Caroline Lucas on July 18, 1855. Caroline died on August 9, 1859 in Marshalltown, Ohio.
Allen was married 2nd to Susan Foster (1840 - 1879) on August 13, 1863 in Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois. Susan died on July 14, 1879 near Stuart, Iowa. The children born to Allen and Susan include;
A. Vesper Davis, born c. 1864 in Illinois.
B. Dwight Davis, born c. 1865/66 in Iowa.
C. Harry Davis, born c. 1867/68 in Iowa.
D. Ed Davis, born c. 1873/74 in Iowa.
At the time of the 1880 census, Allen and his children are found in Lincoln Township, Adair County, Iowa, where he is farming. His father and mother are listed as having been born in Maryland and Ohio, respectively;
Allen M Davis Self M 46 Ohio
Vesper Davis Other F 16 Illinois
Dwight Davis Other M 14 Iowa
Harry Davis Other M 12 Iowa
Ed Davis Other M 6 Iowa
Allen was married 3rd to Sarah Jane (Foster) Taylor (1837 - 1912), a sister of Susan's, on April 14, 1881. Sarah died on February 20, 1912 at Stuart, Iowa.
Allen was married 4th to Jeanette Wright (1851 - 1934) on August 14, 1914 in Olathe County, Iowa.
Allen was the father of 6 children, including;
Allen Michael Davis died on ___________ __, 1922 and his mortal remains were laid in the Dexter Cemetery in Dexter, Dallas County, Iowa. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 15973150.
2. William W. Davis (1833-1876)
3. Elijah Garret Davis, born November 9, 1836 in Highland County, Ohio. Elijah is found with the family in the 1850 census, in Highland County, Ohio. Elijah was married to Margaret J. Marshall (1836 - 1862) c. 1856/57 in Ohio. Two sons were born to Elijah and Margaret;
A. Edgar A. "Eddie" Davis, born ___________ __, 1858 in Ohio. Edgar died in the diptheria epidemic in 1862.
B. Charles "Charlie" Davis, born ___________ __, 1860. Charlie died of diptheria in 1862.
At the time of the 1860 census, Elijah and his family are found in Madison Township, Highland County, Ohio, where he is farming;
Elija Davis M 24 Ohio
Margaret Davis F 24 Pennsylvania
Edgar A Davis M 2 Ohio
Martha M Davis F 54 Ohio
Mary Davis F 14 Ohio
About two years later, Elijah's wife and 2 baby boys died of diphtheria. One source says that Mary also died in 1862, presumably in same epidemic. After their deaths, Elijah volunteered to serve in what was to become Co. I of the 81st Ohio Vol. Inf. He was promoted to Sergeant.
After the war came to a close, Elijah was married to Phoebe Leaverton on ___________ __, 1866. Four children were born to Elijah and Phoebe;
C. Cora Davis, born c. 18__. Cora was married to ___________ Townsend.
D. Alva Elmer Davis (1870 - 1934)
E. William Clarence Davis (1870 - 1938)
F. Mattie M. Davis, born __________ __, 1872. Mattie was married to ___________ Ward. Mattie died on __________ __, 1963.
Phoebe (Leaverton) Davis died on ___________ __, 1877. Elijah moved to Dundy County, Nebraska. There he was married 3rd to Mary Etta McCorkle (1863 - 1939) on December 10, 1888. Three more children were born to them;
G. Maude Jesse "Maudie" Davis, born January __, 1890 in Nebraska. Maude was married to ___________ Warner. Maude died on ___________ __, 1976.
H. Manie A. Davis, born August __, 1891 In Nebraska. She married Orie Lorance.
I. Frank C. Davis, born September __, 1893 in Nebraska. Frank was married to Alice Harris.
At the time of the 1900 census, Elijah and his family are found in Calvert, Muddy & 3-36 Precincts, Dundy County, Nebraska, where he is farming;
Elijah G Davis Head M Dec 1836 64 Ohio
Mary E Davis Wife F Feb 1863 37 Iowa
Maudie J Davis Daughter F Jan 1890 10 Nebraska
Manie A Davis Daughter F Aug 1891 9 Nebraska
Frank C Davis Son M Sep 1893 7 Nebraska
In 1910, Elijah moved to Otis, Colorado, where he had resided with his wife and children until his death on December 30, 1915. His mortal remains were laid in the Akron Cemetery in Akron, Washington County, Colorado. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 67751454.
4. Christopher C. Davis, born December 28, 1838 in Highland County,Ohio. See his biography below.
5. George W. Davis, born ____________ __, 1843 in Highland County, Ohio. At the time of the 1870 census, Martha, with her sons C. C. and G. W., are found in Ulysses Township, Butler County, Nebraska, where they are farming. George is still single at this time;
C C Davis M 30 Ohio
G W Davis M 26 Ohio
Martha M Davis F 56 Ohio
George is believed to have been married to Margaret Ann _____________. At the time of the 1880 census, George is believed to reside in Cedar Valley, Greeley County, Nebraska, where he is farming;
George W Davis Self M 39 Ohio
Margrett Ann Davis Wife F 29 Ohio
Armeana Davis Daughter F 10 Illinois
Harvy Davis Son M 8 Nebraska
Henry E Davis Son M 5 Nebraska
William M Davis Son M 0 Nebraska
At the time of the 1900 census, this George W. Davis is found back in David city Ward 1-3, Butler County, Nebraska, where he is now listed as a Laborer. George and Maggie have been married 31 years and she has had five children, four of whom are still living at this time;
George W Davis Head M Dec 1845 55 Ohio
Maggie Davis Wife F Jan 1851 49 Ohio
Will M Davis Son M Jun 1879 21 Nebraska
6. Franklin Davis (1845-1908). Possibly Benjamin Franklin Davis. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 32756654 for more information about him and his family.
7. Mary Davis (1847-1862)
At the time of the 1840 census, Branson Davis and his family are found in Madison Township, Highland Co., Ohio, where he is "employed in agriculture."
Branson Davis died in the 1840's, probably about 1848/49. At the time of the 1850 census, the family is found in Madison Township, Highland County, Ohio;
Martha Davis, 36, Ohio
Wm. W. Davis, 17, Ohio, farmer
Michael A. Davis, 15, Ohio
Elijah G. Davis, 13, Ohio
Christopher C. Davis, 11, Ohio
George W. Davis, 7, Ohio
Franklin Davis, 5, Ohio
Mary Davis, 2, Ohio
At the time of the 1860 census, Martha Maria (Zimmerman) Davis is found in Madison Township, Highland County, Ohio living with her son Elijah, his wife Margaret and their baby boy Edgar. Also her daughter Mary, about 14 years old;
Elija Davis M 24 Ohio
Margaret Davis F 24 Pennsylvania
Edgar A Davis M 2 Ohio
Martha M Davis F 54 Ohio
Mary Davis F 14 Ohio
At the time of the 1870 census, Martha, with her sons C. C. and G. W., are found in Ulysses Township, Butler County, Nebraska, where they are farming;
C C Davis M 30 Ohio
G W Davis M 26 Ohio
Martha M Davis F 56 Ohio
At the time of the 1900 census, Martha M. Davis is found in David city Ward 1-3, Butler County, Nebraska. She is widowed, is 86 years of age, born in May of 1814 in Ohio, and is listed as a Capitalist. She is listed as the mother of 8 children, four of whom are deceased.
Martha Maria (Zimmerman) Davis died on December 29, 1902 in Butler County, Nebraska and her mortal remains were laid in the David City Cemetery in David City, Butler County, Nebraska. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 32756672.
Now to continue with the biography of Christopher C. Davis;
Since the family can not be found in the 1860 census, it is not known when the family came to Knox County, but both Christopher and Franklin Davis reside in or near Maquon, Illinois in Knox County by 1862.
On August 4, 1862, Christopher volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in Maquon, Illinois by a local Carpenter, Contractor and Businessman by the name of James L. Burhalter. Following is the information that was given at the time as well as a little information about his service record;
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name DAVIS, CHRISTOPHER C
Rank PVT Company F Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL Age 23 Height 5' 6 Hair BLACK
Eyes BLACK Complexion DARK Marital Status SINGLE Occupation FARMER
Nativity HIGHLAND CO, OH
Service Record
Joined When AUG 4, 1862 Joined Where MAQUON, IL
Joined By Whom J L BURKHALTER Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out JUN 6, 1865
Muster Out Where WASHINGTON, DC Muster Out By Whom LT SCROGGS
Remarks PROMOTED CORPORAL NOV 25, 1862
When Burkhalter had about 100 volunteers, he led the Maquon company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. There on August 27, 1862, he was elected by the men of the Maquon company to be their Captain and Captain Burkhalter and 93 of his volunteers were mustered in as Co. F of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched of the gates of Camp Lyon, Capt. James L. Burkhalter leading Co. F, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, and boarded a train bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana. Three weeks later, the men of the 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the coming years. After the Union victory at Perryville, the Confederate Army withdrew from Kentucky and McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they went into winter camp.
On November 25, 1862, Private Christopher C. Davis was promoted to Corporal following the _______________ of Corporal __________. During these next two and a half years, the men of the 86th served in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina. During this time, Christopher was witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chicakamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia, Averasboro, North Carolina and Bentonville, North Carolina just to name a few and also marched with Sherman to the Sea.
After the war came to a close, the surviving members of McCook's Brigade marched on to Washington City (now D.C), where they marched down Pennsylvania on the 2nd day of the Grand Review in May of 1865. On June 6, 1865, Corporal Christopher C. Davis was discharged from the service along with the rest of the surviving members of the 86th and they were soon on their way home.
Christopher was married to Phoebe Jane "Jennie" Roberts on March 27, 1873 in David City, Butler County, Nebraska. Jennie was born on September 11, 1854 at ___________, Illinois. Christopher and Jennie are known to have at least four children. They are;
1. George R. Davis, born May 28, 1874 in David City, Butler County, Nebraska. George was married to Mattie Young on March 4, 1903. George died on July 18, 1949 and his mortal remains were laid in the David City Cemetery, David City, Nebraska.
2. Kate Nell Davis, born c. 1876 in __________, Nebraska.
3. Mable Davis, born c. 1878 in __________, Nebraska.
4. Jennie Davis, born February 16, 1880 in __________, Nebraska. Jennie died on October 24, 1910 and her mortal remains were buried in the David City Cemetery.
5. Daisy Deane Davis, born ____________ __, 1882 in
6. Bessie E. Davis, born April 27, 1890 in or near David City, Butler County, Nebraska. Her birth record found on familysearch lists;
Name Bessie Eda Davis
Gender Female
Birth Date 27 Apr 1890
Birthplace David City, Butler, Nebraska
Father's Name Chris Columbus Davis
Mother's Name Jennie Roberts
7. Jessie Thurston Davis, born May 3, 1894 in Butler County, Nebraska according to his Draft Registration.
Christopher C. and Jennie Davis are found in the 1880 census residing in Center Township, Butler County, Nebraska, where he is farming for a living;
C C Davis Self M Farmer 41 Ohio
Jennie Davis Wife F 26 Illinois
George Davis Son M 6 Nebraska
Kate Davis Daughter F 4 Nebraska
Mable Davis Daughter F 2 Nebraska
Jennie Davis Daughter F 0 Nebraska
Mary M Roberts Boarder F Teaching School 24 Illinois
Wash Leeper Boarder M Farm Labor 20 Indiana
At the time of the 1885 Nebraska census, Christopher and his family are found in Centre, Butler County, Nebraska, where he is farming;
Christopher C Davis Father M 45
Jennie Davis Wife F 31
George Davis Son M 11
Mabell Davis Daughter F 7
Jennie Davis Daughter F 5
Daisy Davis Daughter F 2
In 1887, some of the surviving members of the 86th Illinois organized and held a reunion in Peoria, Illinois on August 27, 1887, the 25th anniversary of the mustering in of the men of the 86th Illinois. This reunion was attended by more than 125 members of the 86th Illinois. The reunion was such a success that they continued to hold these reunions on or as close to that August 27th date as possible and they continued to grow for a number of years. The reunions, however, were never well attended by members of Co. F and if he ever found out about the reunions, which continued to be held through 1923, Corporal Christopher C. Davis never attended any of the reunions.
In the 1890 Nebraska Veterans Census, Chris C. Davis, of Co. F of the 86th Illinois is found residing in Davis City, Butler County, Nebraska. He is recorded as having "Lost sight in eye."
At the time of the 1910 census, Christopher and his family are found in David City Ward 1, Butler County, Nebraska;
Christopher C Davis Head M 71 Ohio
Jennie Davis Wife F 56 Illinois
Jennie Davis Daughter F 30 Nebraska
Bessie E Davis Daughter F 19 Nebraska
Jessie T Davis Son M 15 Nebraska
Corporal Christopher C. Davis died on July 3, 1913 and his mortal remains were laid in the David City Cemetery in David City, Butler County, Nebraska. Phoebe Jane "Jennie" (Roberts) Davis died on November 3, 1919 and her mortal remains were laid beside those of her husband in the David City Cemetery in David City, Butler County, Nebraska. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 32756679.
by Baxter B. Fite III and Carol Dorward, of Washington, Illinois.
(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Davis family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Christopher C. Davis and the Davis family. Baxter would also love to see copies of any photographs of Christopher C. Davis, which may have survived the years, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.) |
