Ora C. Davis, an esteemed resident of Plainfield, was born in the town of Hartford, Vt., March 8, 1847. His great-grandfather, Jeremiah, was a native of Sutton, N.H. Jeremiah and his father were the first of the name to settle in the part of Grantham, N.H., now called Plainfield. He was a farmer by occupation, and had a family of nine children. The grandfather, Samuel Davis, also a native of Sutton, born in 1776, married Maria Hadley, daughter of Simeon Hadley, and had a family of nine children. These were: Lucy, Isaac, Samuel, Charles, Martin, Alfred, Louisa, George W., and Alvan. Lucy married Norman Hadley, a farmer of Canaan. Isaac was twice married, the first time to Elsie Tyler, who bore him two children. On the second occasion he married a widow. He was a farmer, and engaged in the meat business at Canaan. Charles, also a farmer of Canaan, married Caroline Miner, and had four children. Martin, who was employed in a mica mine, and was killed by an explosion over thirty years ago, had one son. Alfred, now a wealthy farmer, married Abigail Aldrich, of Concord, and has no children. Louisa married William Aldrich, of Concord, a farmer and active granger, and has one son. George W., a successful farmer of Canaan, N.H., owns the largest farm in that town, is a leading man in the grange, and has represented Canaan in the legislature. He married Emma Kilton, of Grafton, N.H.; and they have four children. Alvan, also a farmer of Canaan, and who is said to raise more fruit than any other man in this section, is Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of the town. He married a Miss Richardson, and has seven children living.
Samuel Davis, Jr., the father of Ora C. Davis, was born in Plainfield, February 2, 1822, was educated in the common schools and at Kimball Union Academy. After the close of his school life he began farming, and has been engaged in that occupation ever since. By industry, energy, and strictly honorable dealing in every transaction he has accumulated Martha J. Hersey, who was born September 4, 1824. She was a daughter of Stephen Hersey, a farmer and carpenter of Grantham. The three children of this marriage are: Emma A., Ora C., and Ella M. Emma, born in Hartford, Vt., July 17, 1845, attended the public schools of Plainfield and Kimball Union Academy, and was afterward one of the most successful publicschool teachers in this part of the State. She married J. C. Willis, of Milwaukee, a railroad man, who makes two trips weekly from Chicago to Minneapolis. They have no children. Ella, born July 19, 1850, was educated in the schools of the town and at Kimball Union Academy. She also taught school successfully for a number of years before she married Warren B. Richardson, of Canaan. Mr. Richardson, who is well-to-do, has been Town Treasurer and Deputy Sheriff, and is now Police Justice.
Ora C. Davis received his education in the same schools as did his sisters, and, like them, became a teacher. He taught for about twenty winters, being gifted not only with unusual ability to instruct, but with superior tact as a disciplinarian. He keeps a farm, and has done a considerable amount of painting. He has been Chairman of the Republican Town Committee for many years; has been Selectman for five years, being at present Chairman of the Board; and he has also served as Superintendent of Schools.
The second of Mr. Davis’s two marriages was contracted with Almie F. Morse, daughter of Charles H. Morse, of Plainfield. By his previous marriage he has two children-Hubert S. and Edna W. Hubert, born in Plainfield, November 9, 1871, who was educated in Kimball Union Academy, and became a farmer, married Mary Woodward, and has two children-Gleason and Clifford. Edna W., born January 2, 1874, is living at Plainfield. In religious belief Mr. Davis is a Baptist. He now holds the office of Deputy Sheriff, and is Justice of the Peace. Prominent in the Masonic fraternity, he is now the Master of his lodge. He is also a member of the local grange.