Surnames: Davis, Osgood, Brunt, Mallory, Johnson, Stafford, Sayles

----Source: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis. ) Thursday, 02/22/1923

Davis, Sidney R. (6 Oct. 1844 - 14 Feb. 1923)

Sidney R. Davis of Granton one of the oldest residents of Clark County was called suddenly by death Wednesday evening, February 14. He had been in usual health and about the house. In the evening he stepped out of the back door and as he did not return immediately his wife looked out of the window and saw him lying where he had fallen on the snow bank. She immediately called for help, and medical assistance, but Mr. Davis had passed away.

Sidney Davis was born in St. Lawrence County, New York, October 6, 1844. When nearly 18 years of age he came west and stopped at the old village of Staffordville, north of Neillsville. He worked for Mr. Stafford for about a year and then bought the land west of the present village of Granton which was to be his home for nearly 60 years. He was a man of large and powerful build, ready to take up the hardest kind of labor that was so much needed in a new timber country, and soon developed a fine farm. He also was active in logging operations. In June 1876 he was married to Miss Orinda Johnson at the home of her father, J. A. Johnson in Melrose, and his wife how was his faithful helper during all their years of pioneer struggles and success, survives him. Mr. Davis was one of the first men in his community to make a success of dairying and the work that he did was of great benefit to the entire by showing what could be accomplished in this region with dairy cattle. He was a man of large views, generous and warm hearted, and was generally looked up to as a leader in local affairs for many years. He was a prominent member of the Neillsville Masonic Lodge, being one of its oldest members. About three years ago he sold his farm to his son-in-law Myron Osgood and after living for a time thereafter at the old home, he and his wife secured a home in Granton where they moved. Beside his wife he leaves two daughters, Mrs. Myron Osgood of Granton and Mrs. D. Van Brunt of Log Angeles, Cal. Three other children died in childhood. He leaves also one brother Solon Davis of Granton and one sister, Mrs. L. P. Sayles of Potsdam, N. Y.

The funeral was held at the home Saturday afternoon, Rev. Wilson Mallory officiating and the ritual ceremony of the Free Masons being used. A male quartet from the lodge sang a number of selections.