Davis, Nathaniel, MD
Nathaniel Davis was born July 31, 1807, in Washington county, East Tennessee. When he was about five years old,
his parents moved with him to Knox county, Tennessee, where he spent his youth and passed the threshold of manhood.
At the age of twenty-two, he was entered a student in the University of East Tennessee, and graduated with honor,
from that institution in 1832. After which he attended the famous Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
and in the spring of 1834, received his diploma of graduation therefrom. He then selected Ray county, Missouri,
as the field of his future labors, and started for the "far west" to carve out his destiny. How well
he has succeeded, let the affection of his neighbors, and the respect and the esteem in which he is held by the
people of the entire county, together with his comfortable home and surroundings, bear testimony. His character
is untainted, and his very name is the synonym of integrity, hospitality and charity. He has grown old; the frosts
of many winters have settled on his head, and "full of years and of honor," he has retired from the practice
of his profession to pass the remainder of his declining years in the quietude of his home, near the eastern limits
of Richmond. He was an eminently successful practitioner, because he was skillful, prompt, and always reliable.
In 1837, he was thrown from a horse, and by this accident his ankle was dislocated and broken, thereby permanently
laming him. Dr. Davis was here through the exciting period of the "Mormon war," and was compelled to
seek safety by leaving his home for a time. During the great civil war, however, he remained at home, and was not
seriously molested. In the fall of the year 1837, Dr. Nathaniel Davis was united in marriage with Miss Mariah
A. Allen, of Ray county. She was, however, a native of Virginia. They have had six children, two of whom are
deceased. The living are as follows: James A., collector of
Ray county; Margaret Ann, wife of Murray F. McDonald, a merchant of Richmond; Alice, widow
of George Mason, deceased, late of Richmond, and Samuel B., deputy county collector. His wife died
August 23, 1878. She was a lady of cheerful disposition, and added to an exemplary Christian character, gentle
manners and the graces of womanhood.
Ray County History 1881, Page 521 - 522
Dorton, Edward T.
Is a native of Russell county, Virginia, and was born on the 3d day of August, 1830. His parents were Joseph and
Martha Dorton, natives of Virginia. His father was born July 19, 1795; died July 20, 1870. His mother was
born April 15, 1807, and died February 12, 1871. Our subject finished his education at Emery and Henry College,
and then began teaching school. In the year 1852 he came to Missouri, first living four years in Calloway county,
and then settling permanently in Ray county. June 17, 1861, Mr. Dorton enlisted in company A, 15th Arkansas
volunteer infantry, and participated in the battles of Pea Ridge and Wilson's Creek. At the latter fight he was
captured by the enemy, and taken to Camp Douglass at Chicago; was afterward exchanged at Jackson, Mississippi.
He was again taken prisoner at Walnut Grove, Arkansas, but was fortunate in escaping from his captors. He was paroled,
April 12, 1865, at Pea Ridge, and went to Illinois, where he remained about ten months, and then came back to Ray
county, where he has lived ever since. Mr. Dorton was married April 16, 1867, to Miss Pauline Dorton, daughter
of James B. and Sallie Dorton. She was born May 15, 1849, in Knox county, Kentucky. The issue of
this marriage has been one child: Clementina, born November 8, 1868. Soon after his marriage Mr. Dorton
opened a general merchandise store at Albany, and continued the business there for one year, and then moved to
Sibley, Jackson county, and, after keeping store in that place for about twelve months, removed to Orrick, Ray
county, and has ever since conducted the business with good success and prosperity there. Mr. Dorton is a member
of Ada Lodge, No. 344, A. F. & A. M., at Albany.
Ray County History 1881, Page 642 |
