Ellis Davies

Ellis Davies

• Father: Ellis Davies b. circa 1840, d. between 1866 and 1871
• Mother: Mary Morris b. circa 1843

• Ellis Davies was born on 9 September 1865 in Rhos Ruabon, Denbighshire (Ddinbych), North Wales.
• Mary Morris appeared in the British census of 2 April 1871 in Ruabon, Rhosllannerchrugog, Denbighshire, North Wales, at 163 Market Street. Other members of the household included Ellis Davies, John Davies and Daniel Davies.
• William Parry and Mary Morris appeared in the British census of 3 April 1881 in Ruabon, Denbighshire, Wales, at Pen Rhos. Other members of the household included Ellis Davies, John Davies, William Parry, Messick Parry and Daniel Davies. Also in the household was William Parry's son Elias (age 12) from his earlier marriage.
• He was a coal miner, according to the 1881 census.
• According to a 2x great granddaughter of Elizabeth Morris, following the death in Wales of her sister Mary Morris Davies, Elizabeth went to the bank and borrowed money to bring Mary's sons (Ellis, John and Daniel Davies, and William and Messick Parry) over to the United States to live with her in Lead.
• Ellis Davies arrived in the US circa 1889, based on information recorded in the censuses.
• He filed a declaration of intent to become a US citizen on 12 January 1893 at Lawrence County, South Dakota.
• Ellis Davies appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Fort Meade, Meade County, South Dakota, serving as a private in Company G, First Cavalry Regiment.
• The following appeared on 27 April 1906 in the Lead Daily Call: Mrs. Daniel Davies and family, John and Ellis Davies, William Parry and the other relatives in this city of the late Daniel Davies, wishes to return thanks to the kind friends who assisted them during the last illness of their beloved husband, father and brother, and especially are they thankful to the Knights of Pythias, the different bands of the city, the Musicians' union, and the Workmen and Miners' union, who contributed so much toward lessening the sorrow which they feel and the burden of grief which they must bear.
• He was naturalized on 28 August 1906 at South Dakota.
• The following appeared on 28 April 1908 in the Lead Daily Call: William Perry, John Davies, Ellis Davies, and the other members of the family, wish to thank all those who were so kind during the time of their bereavement, and who, at the funeral of the deceased, Messick Perry, extended to them so much of human sympathy, and to those who remembered the deceased with flowers and other tokens of friendship.
• He married Margaret Shea, daughter of Mary (?), on 18 May 1908 in Lead, Lawrence County, South Dakota.
• The following appeared on 19 May 1908 in the Daily Deadwood Pioneer-Times: A marriage license was issued yesterday to Ellis Davis and Miss Maggie Shea, both of Lead.
• The following appeared on 23 July 1908 in the Lead Daily Call: Sometime ago Lieutenant Ellis Davis [sic] of the Spanish War veterans, Camp Seth Bullock, concluded to leave the state of single blessedness and get married. This laudable intention Ellis carried out, being joined for life to a most estimable lady. At the time of his marriage his comrades intended to make him a little present to show their appreciation of him as such, but as part of them worked night and the other day, they never were able to get together until last evening and then they repaired to the home of Ellis on Mill street, and presented him with a handsome chair and reading table. Oscar Stevens made the presentation, and in well chosen words told of the service Ellis had been to the camp, his love of country and the sacrifices which he had made for her in the Philippines, China and the fever camps of the south, his faithful work for the camp and his comrades, and their respect and admiration for him. Ellis was taken completely by surprise, and for a time was unable to speak, but after a time he regained his self control and made fitting response to the greetings of his comrades.
• Ellis Davies and Margaret Shea appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Lead, Lawrence County, South Dakota, at 114 North Mill Street. Other members of the household included Margaret Davies, Clarence E. Shea and Mary Graham.
• He was a gold miner, according to thew 1910 census.
• The following appeared on 4 October 1913 in the Lead Daily Call: Ellis Davies yesterday received word from Butte that his half-brother William Perry, had been seriously injured in a automobile accident, in which one man was killed and three others hurt. The first intimation that Ellis had that his brother was seriously hurt or had been in an accident was by reading the following item published in a Butte paper:
       William Charlton of 58 West Green street, who was injured when a five passenger automobile turned turtle near the Five Mile house Sunday night, died yesterday afternoon at Murray hospital. He did not recover consciousness. No criminal carelessness was disclosed by the investigation of Chief Deputy County Attorney Dwyer and no arrests will be made. The accident's victim was 26 years old and unmarried. William Perry, who was seriously injured, was removed to his home, 1322 Gallatin street. He probably will recover.
       Ellis at once made enquiries by telegraph, and yesterday received reply from Mrs. Perry, in which she stated that the injuries received by her husband, while serious, were not fatal, and that at the time of sending the telegram his condition had improved materially, and the doctors hoped to have him out of bed in a few days. Will Perry is well known in Lead, where he had resided for many years before leaving the city to make his home in Butte, and his friends here, while they will be sorry to hear of the accident to him, will be pleased to learn that he is recovering from his hurts.
• The following appeared on 20 November 1913 in the Lead Daily Call: Ellis Davies is in receipt of a letter from his brother, Will Perry stating that he, Will, is able to resume his work again in the mines. Some months ago he was injured in an automobile accident, in which one man was killed and another mortally injured, and Perry, Himself, so badly hurt that he was not expected to recover. However, a good constitution and good medical attention brought him about all right. Ellis is feeling much relieved over the fact that his brother is again strong and healthy.
• The following appeared on 21 January 1914 in the Lead Daily Call: Ellis Davies yesterday received a letter from his half-brother, Will Perry, who is now living in Butte, Mont. where he has resided with his family for several years. Last summer Will was injured in an automobile accident, in which one man was killed and two others seriously hurt. In his letter Will says that he is again able to be at work, but that his injured side still gives him considerable trouble. The accident, which near deprived him of his life, has forced him to remain idle for several months, and he is glad of the opportunity to again be able to work.
• The following appeared on 11 August 1914 in the Lead Daily Call: Ellis Davies received a letter yesterday from Mrs. Will Perry, the wife of his brother, telling him that her husband had been hurt by falling rock while at work in the mines of Butte, Mont., and that he is now in the hospital there. She said in the letter that her husband's injuries were not serious, and hoped that he would be out in a week or so.
• The following appeared on 27 September 1927 in the Lead Daily Call: Ellis Davies has received word of the birth of a son to Mr. and Mrs. William Perry at their home in Fullerton, California. Mr. and Mrs. Perry were former residents of Lead and have many friends here. They moved to California about six years ago. The new arrival in their family has been named William Perry, Jr.
• The following appeared on 29 June 1928 in The Deadwood Daily Pioneer-Times: William Perry, wife and two children, were arrivals Tuesday from Los Angeles, Calif. They are come for the purpose of making their home in the Hills, and for the time are guests at the home of Ellis Davies, Mr. Perry's uncle, in Lead. Mr. Perry was born in Lead, and left that city ten years ago for California, and since his residence there had prospered, but he could not lose his love for the Hills, so he sent his household goods to Lead by freight, loaded himself, his wife and children in the family auto and drove to his old home, and will remain there for the future, having been promised lucrative employment in the Mill City.
• Likely he died in Fall River County, South Dakota, on 2 December 1929, and is buried in South Lead Cemetery.
• Ellis Davies died on 2 December 1929 at age 64 in Hot Springs, Fall River County, South Dakota.
• Margaret Shea became a widow at his death.
• He was interred at South Lead Cemetery, Lead, Lawrence County, South Dakota.
• The following appeared on 3 December 1929 in the Lead Daily Call: Ellis Davies, 63, a resident of Lead since 1896, died at 11:00 last night at the Battle Mountain sanitarium in Hot Springs as the result of an attack of heart trouble. Mr. Davies had gone to the sanitarium in Hot Springs about two weeks ago for treatment for this ailment. He is survived by his widow, three daughters, Mary, Margaret and Florence, and two sons, William and Clarence, and several other relatives. Mr. Davies was a Spanish War veteran, having seen active service in the Philippine Islands. For the last ten years he was captain of the Alert Fire Station on upper Main Street. Born in Wales, Ellis Davies came to America as a boy. He came to Lead in the late nineties and has made his home here since that time.
• The following appeared on 11 January 1938 in the Deadwood Pioneer-Times: Funeral services will be held from St. Patrick's Cathedral in Lead at 9:30 o'clock Wednesday for the late Mrs. Margaret Davies, Lead, who passed away at St. Joseph's hospital in this city Sunday morning, after a long period of failing health. She had been a patient at the hospital for about a week.
       Requiem high mass will be celebrated at the services by Rev. Fr. P. M. O'Dowd with the sermon by Rev. M. S. Roach. Burial will be in Calvary cemetery in South Lead beside the grave of her husband, Ellis Davies.
       Deceased was born in Hancock, Michigan, April 30, 1881, and came to Lead at the age of seven years, where she had since made her home. She was united in marriage here to the late Ellis Davies, who preceded her in death nine years ago.
       She is survived by two sons and three daughters, born to the marriage. The sons are William of Lead, and Clarence, of Coffeyville, Kas., and the daughters are Mrs. William Kearney, of Lead; Mrs. Stanley Sickel, Clark, S. D., and Mrs. John Kearney, Victor, Colo. She also leaves four grandchildren and several other relatives. Her passing is deeply regretted by a wide circle of friends.

• Last Edited: 18 May 2016