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JOSEPH WILBERN DAVIS. A man who has had an opportunity to give "a taste of his quality" in several capacities and who has made a satisfactory record in all of them in Joseph W. Davis, county clerk of Saline county. Elected to his present office in the fall of 1910, he assumed its duties at the beginning of the year 1911, and his services have proved a credit to himself and an honor to his constituents.

Mr. Davis, who belongs to the younger generation of citizenship, was born in Saline county, on the 30th day of April, 1882. He is the son of T. J. and Mary A. (Martin) Davis, natives of Tennessee. They came from east Tennessee in 1867 and became identified with the agricultural life of this part of the state of Illinois, the father being now retired from the more strenuous labors of his honored calling. The immediate subject of this brief review was reared on a farm in the vicinity of Harrisburg and taught in the public schools for the five years included between 1902 and 1907, his pedagogical services giving satisfaction to all concerned. In the year last mentioned Mr. Davis and his brother. B. F. entered upon an entirely new line of endeavor by embarking in the merchantile business at Harrisburg. In a few months thereafter the business was transferred to Wasson, Illinois, and these two gentlemen conducted it in partnership until the subject was elected to his present office in the fall of 1910. Their mercantile business was of a thriving character and of the sort which contributes to the general welfare of the community. Mr. Davis has previously served the people in the capacity of assessor and justice of the peace, and gave efficient and faithful service as postmaster at Wasson from the time of the establishment of the office until his removal to Harrisburg.

He married, July 6, 1904, Miss Sarah A. Hawkins, a daughter of Dr. Leroy Hawkins, a native of Saline county. Their three children are: Nina L., Kinneth L. and Champ W. Mr. Davis is a member of the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the `Ben Hur fraternities. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church at Wasson, and he is one of the deacons of the church.