The B. F. Davis Family

By a Family Member

Benjamin Franklin Davis was born near Willis, Texas, on October 17, 1875, where he learned to be a printer in the office of the Willis Index published by Judge N. A. Cravens. Mr. Davis studied law and was admitted to the bar at Conroe, Montgomery County, in 1901.

After he and his wife, Irene Weisinger Davis, and their two daughters left Willis, he followed his printer's trade in several towns then came to Jacksonville in 1906 to locate permanently.

Upon arrival, he was associated with J. E. McFarland and S. R. Whitley. In October, 1913, he bought a half-interest in the Cherokee County Banner that Mr. McFarland was publishing. In this partnership, he and Mr. McFarland began publishing the Jacksonville Daily Progress along with the Cherokee County Banner, and operated a commercial printing shop and law firm.

The Davis family purchased a home on East Rusk Street located where the Jacksonville Junior High School property now is. Here their three sons were born. The family changed residences to 601 Neches Street, where the boys were reared. The girls were, by this time, grown and away from home.

Mr. Davis served as local attorney for a number of firms (including the I&GN Railroad, United Gas Corporation) and was city attorney for a number of years doing legal work for the existing mayor-council form of government of Jacksonville. He was instrumental in the founding of Jacksonville Building and Loan Association.

"Judge," as he was fondly called by friends and employees, was rated as one of the most prominent business and professional men, as well as one of the most versatile editors of East Texas. He led a busy life for the promotion of the welfare of Jacksonville and Cherokee County.

Mrs. Davis, upon his death November 14, 1937, sold the property on Neches Street and built a home at 815 San Antonio Street. She since has sold the property and resides in Twin Oaks Convalescent Center. She was active in garden and study clubs of Jacksonville and Parent-Teacher Association work, and was responsible for the landscaping of East Side Elementary School when it was built where the Tomato Bowl now stands. When a new high school was built in 1925, which now is the Junior High School, she did the landscaping for it. She is a member of the First Methodist Church and at this time is 93 years of age.

Two of the five children of Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Davis reside in Jacksonville.

Harmon Weisinger married Grace Rix. He is production manager at the Jacksonville Daily Progress, and served as first lieutenant, field artillery pilot, in World War II. They are parents of two sons, Joseph Ben Davis of Victoria, (1st Lt, Army), and Robert Rix Davis of Dallas (who served in Texas Air National Guard).

Charles Edwin married Cathryn White. He is manager of Andrews Lumber Company, and was a lieutenant (Naval Air Force) in World War II. Their children are Paul White Davis of Ventura, California (a lieutenant, Naval Air Force, who served in Vietnam). Mary Cathryn (Mrs. Donald Guest Hudson), lives in Dallas.

Loie, retired, lives in Wills Point. She was a dietitian for Scott and White Hospital, Temple, and for Dallas Public School System for a number of years.

B. F. Davis

Mrs. B. F. (Irene) Davis