Jehu Everett Davis, a prominent banker and business man of Pesotum, has pursued a very active career ever since leaving school. He represents one of the old established families in this section of Champaign, County.
Mr. Davis was born at the village of Pesotum July 4, 1874, a son of James Edwin and Lavina (Crawford) Davis. Both parents were born in Ohio and came to Champaign County in 1867, locating at Pesotum, where they still reside. His father has been in the grain business and in other activities for many years.
The only child of his parents, Jehu Everett Davis was well educated in the local schools, and at the age of sixteen entered the Wesleyan University at Bloomington, where he pursued special courses for two years. For one year he attended the business college at Valparaiso, Indiana. His first regular position was with the firm of Baughman, Orr & Company, bankers at Tuscola, Illinois, where he remained fourteen months. He then bought B. Gardiner’s undivided interest in the lumber, implement and harness business at Pesotum and was connected with that enterprise seven years. Then with his father in 1907 he organized the Bank of Pesotum, the first financial institution of the town. On account of failing health he sold his interests there and on April 1, 1912, bought from William Kleiss an interest in the Kleiss & Gilles elevator at Pesotum. He is still connected with the local grain firm of Davis, Burton & Gardiner, though since July, 1912, his chief time has been devoted to banking. At that date Mr. Davis organized the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Pesotum, of which he is cashier. P. J. Gates is president and Henry Pfeffer, vice-president. The bank has a capital stock of $30,000 and every year since its organization it has paid ten per cent dividends to its stockholders.
Mr. Davis married October 14, 1897, Loutie G. Gardiner. Mrs. Davis was born in Champaign County, daughter of Benjamin and Adeline (Coffin) Gardiner. Her father was born in Canada and was an early settler in Champaign County. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have three children: Mildred, born September 13, 1900; Constance, born February 3, 1903; and Helen, born February 15, 1914.
Mr. Davis besides his very busy life in practical affairs has served as township school treasurer for ten years and one of his very active interests is his membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church and Sunday school. He has been Sunday school superintendent twelve years. He is a Democrat, a member of the Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Modern Woodmen of America.