Nathan C. DAVIS, a well known resident of Decatur County, was born July 14. 1843, in Hardin County. His father, Joseph DAVIS, was a native of Wake County, N.C., born February 7, 1805; he came to Maury County, Tenn., in 1829, where be carried on the blacksmith business; from there he went to Hardin County; was married to Harriet PERRY, a native of Williamson County. Tenn., but a descendant of North Carolinians.
The subject of this sketch is the eighth of fourteen children: received such education as the country schools of that day afforded, at Clifton, Tenn. When war was declared he enlisted in the Ninth Tennessee Cavalry, under command of J. B. BIFFLE, took part in the Parkers Cross Roads fight, Trenton, Humboldt, also in the engagements at Franklin and Thompson’s Station: he followed Straight and participated in combats at Town Creek, Day’s Gap, Sand Mountain and Gadsden, capturing the enemy at Pine Bluff; Mr. DAVIS was taken at Clifton by Murphy, but released by Capt. Sam MARTIN.
When peace was declared, he returned home and resumed farming; was married November 12, 1868, to Miss M. A. JOHNSON, of Hardin County, whose father was a native of that county; her mother was born in Alabama. To Nathan C. and M. A. (JOHNSON) DAVIS seven children were born; those living are Thomas J., William N., Benjamin F., Edgar H. and Mary E., James S. and an infant are both dead, November 24, 1882, Mrs. DAVIS died. Mr. DAVIS married the second time in January, 1883, to Mrs. Mary H. (STEPHENS) HARRELL, of Savannah, Tenn., a daughter of Col. H. H. STEPHENS, who was born in Boone, Bourbon Co., Ky.; her mother, Elizabeth (THARP) STEPHENS was the first white child born in Florence, Ala. She was educated at Louisville, Ky. To Mr. DAVIS‘ second marriage one child has been born, Perry, a son. Mr. and Mrs. DAVIS are earnest members of the Methodist Church. Mr. DAVIS is a steadfast Democrat and a courteous gentleman. — Transcribed by David Donahue
History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Henderson, Chester, Mcnairy, Decatur, and Hardin Counties, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, Etc., Etc. Easley, S.C: Southern Historical Press, 1978.