Find A Grave Memorial# 9688574
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HARPIN DAVIS is one of the pioneers of Jefferson County, as he settled here about thirty-five years ago. During all these years he has been occupied in agricultural labors and has lived on one farm, the homestead situated about eight miles east of Golden. He is a member of Clear Creek Valley Grange and aims to keep fully posted on modern and improved methods of farming. He stands well with the Odd Fellows' society, baying held every office in the lodge with the exception of grand master. He was the secretary of Morning Star Lodge No. 47, A. F. & A. M., and was tendered the position of master, but declined. On political questions he is independent, preferring to be pledged to no party.
Mr. Davis is a native of New Haven County, Conn., and was born February 24, 1825.
Up to the time he was fifteen years old Mr. Davis lived under the parental roof. At that period he was very ambitious and desirous of seeing the world and so he bade adieu to the scenes of his youth and set out to make his own livelihood. He started for Philadelphia, but left the boat at Burlington, twenty miles from that city, and secured work on the canal, driving horses. This employment was not to his liking and he hired out to a farmer for a year. At the expiration of that time he shipped aboard a coasting schooner, later becoming one of the crew of a full-rigged vessel which was engaged in trade with the West Indies. When he finally left the sea, he had risen to he mate of the ship and during his service he had made a study of navigation and was in hue for promotion, though but twenty-two years old. He did not wish to make this his main business in life, however, and returning to his old home became a brick and stone work contractor. He also taught a few terms of school, making a success of the undertaking, as his Father had before him.
In 1854 Mr. Davis went to California, with the intention of making his permanent home there, but his family disliking to move so far west he returned the same year. Soon afterwards he located in Davenport, Scott, Iowa, and found plenty to do in the line of his trade, masonry, and also in the sale of lumber, for he established a lumber yard. In the fall of 1856 he went to Nebraska, and settling in Florence, now a part of Omaha, taught school for one term. Later he embarked in the sawmill and lumber business. In 1863 he came to Colorado, and after passing one year in Central City he came to the vicinity of his present home. This place he purchased about a year subsequently and at once began making substantial improvements, which have materially increased its value and beauty.
March 31, 1850, Mr. Davis married Miss Mary A. CHATFIELD, daughter of Enos CHATFIELD, of Oxford, Conn. She is a descendant of one of the colonial families of the Nutmeg state, her ancestor, George CHATFIELD, of England, having cast in his fortunes with the inhabitants of New England in 1639. He was accompanied by his two brothers, Thomas and Francis, and they were of the little party which was headed by Rev. Henry Whitfield and made a settlement at Guilford, New Haven, Conn. George Chatfield later lived in
Killingsworth, Conn., until he was claimed by death. Some of his relatives were soldiers of the Revolution. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis. Charles H. is managing part of the home farm. Ella M. is the wife of Mason Seavey, a capitalist of Denver. Hattie C. married W. M. Newton. Arthur L. is a graduate of the Gross Medical College, of Denver, and for two and a-half years was head physician in St. Anthony's Hospital. Recently he settled in Central City, succeeding Dr. Moore. He is a very promising young practitioner, having made a splendid record thus far and giving assurance of ultimate prominence in his profession.
From on-line records of George Cole.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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In 1854 Harpin took his wife and two children to California where he intended to make his home. His family disliked moving so far west so they returned to Connecticut that same year. The family then journeyed to Davenport, Scott, Iowa, where Harpin worked as a Stonemason and also establish a lumber yard. In the fall of 1856 the Davis' settle in Florence, Douglas, Nebraska. There he taught school for one year and was engaged in the lumber business. Two more children were born in Florence before coming to
Colorado.
In 1863 the family came to Colorado and after living a year in Central City, came to the Arvada area. Harpin homesteaded 160 acres located northwest of Arvada on Ralston Creek. Later some of the land was donated for a roadway which was called Davis Lane (now Oak Street) for may years. Harpin Davis made substantial improvements on the land and continued to farm in the same place until his death in 1903. He planted many different kids of fruit trees, especially fruit trees. This resourceful pioneer
successfully experimented with grafting various kinds of fruit trees. Mr Davis built and operated a ferry that went across Ralston creek at what is now Simms street. The creek is said to have been very wide at
that time. From past experience he had the knowledge to build and manage the ferry. It is said that he was a very kind man but was strong headed and people called him "By God Davis," because once he set mind to something, he did it.
Davis was active in Fraternal and grange work and held offices in the old fellows lodge, Morning Star Lodge No. 47 A.F.& A.M., and Clear Creek Valley Grange.
The pioneer was buried in section 9 at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, this was one of two section in which non-Catholics were permitted to be buried. His grave is marked with a tombstone built in the shape of a tree stump and engrave with a cross, an anchor, and his lodge emblem. His gravestone is symbolic of the life he lived. Mrs Mary Davis, His wife, died in 1915.
From on-line records of David Ray.
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CENSUS 1880:
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age BPL Occupation Fath's BPL Moth's BPL
Harpin DAVIS Self M Male W 55 CT Farm
Mary DAVIS Wife M Fem W 52 CT Keeping Hou
Hattie DAVIS Dau S Fem W 21 NE At Ho
Arthur DAVIS Son S Male W 12 CO CT CT
RESIDENCE: Ralston, Jefferson, Colorado
