William P. Davis 
William P. Davis, farmer, P.O. Tilford, is a native of Surry County, 
N.C., and was born May 11, 1827. His father, Reece Davis, deceased, 
was also a native of Surry County, and brought his family to this 
county in 1849, where he died in 1854.  

Our subject attended a subscription school in a log cabin with a dirt 
floor, and sat upon a split-pole bench. His mother's maiden name was 
Patsy Harris. She still resides in this township, and is eighty-five 
years old.
  
Mr. Davis was married, February 14, 1864, to Margaret Dagg, daughter 
of James Dagg, deceased, a native of Ireland. They had seven children, 
give living - Mary F., Martha J., Theodosia, Lucinda and William R.  
Mr. Davis owns 157 acres of land, and is engaged in farming and 
stock-raising. The family are Baptists.

Source: The History of Jefferson County, Illinois
By William Henry Perrin
Published by Globe Publishing Co in 1883
Biographies from Webber Township Page 74

Submitted by Sandy Bauer
Note from Sandy: William Perry Davis was 
affectionately known as "Pinchin' Billy"