DAVIS, Joel Edwin

Greeley Tribune (Greeley, Weld Co) Date: Aug 10, 1899 Page 5 Death of Joel Edwin Davis J.E. Davis died at his home on Seventh avenue and Tenth street, at 10 o’clock Friday night from infirmities the result of a paralytic stroke from which he suffered since September, 1896. Mr. Davis was born in Virginia in 1831, where he remained until reaching man’s estate, when he removed to Tennessee. In 1860 he was united in marriage to Miss Ellie Northcross, at Trenton. He resided in that state until 1873 when, with his family he moved to Greeley, where he engaged at farming. Possessing fine business ability and a thorough knowledge of his work, in a few years he easily became one of Weld county’s wealthiest citizens. He was a man of strong will, his personality dominating every enterprise in which he engaged. In financial affairs he has been misrepresented for years by prejudiced and thoughtless person, who charged him with usury. But this was undeserved in every particular. There was not a more liberal or easier creditor in the state than he; and there was not a financial institution in the county, that loaned money for as little interest as he did. To the honest man who used every effort to meet his obligations he was most lenient, but woe betide the fellow who tried to overreach him by deception and tricks. Politically Mr. Davis was a Southern democrat of ante-bellum days, and from his earliest residence here he took an active part in local, state and national affairs. Many years he served as chairman of the Weld county Democratic committee. When the financial problem was first agitated, many differences sprang up between Mr. Davis and fellow democrats, he standing by the Cleveland wing of that party. He was an energetic fighter, never tiring, and despite occasional bickering, he held the respect and esteem of political friends and enemies to the last. His wife, three daughters--Mrs. LuLu Burr of this city; Mrs. Nellie Patton of Boulder; Mrs. Daisy Carney, of Denver; and son, Stanley Davis, of this city, are left to mourn his loss. Mr. Davis was a Mason, holding to the views of that organization with a feeling akin to religious fervor and all through life he was consistent to his vows and obligations. His funeral was held from the home place Sunday evening in charge of Greeley Commandery No. 10, K.T., of this city, and remains were escorted to Linn Grove by a large concourse of relatives and friends. (There is an “Ellie N Davis, 1/16/1908 aged 72, Stanley 6/23/1925 aged 56, and LuLu Burr 4/4/1940 aged 76 in the Linn Grove Cemetery. There are tombstone pictures for Stanley and LuLu)