The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Eel River Township, page 570
William Davis, a prominent farmer of Eel River Township, was born April 22, 1820 in Montgomery County, Ky. His parents were Enoch and Nancy Davis, natives of Virginia. They came to Hendricks County, Ind. and settled in this township where they remained till their death. Six of their children are still living--Jesse, Frank, William, Charles M., Owen and John. Our subject was reared to manhood on a farm and received but a limited education. May 21, 1840 he was married to Catherine Zimmerman, daughter of John and Nancy (Myers) Zimmerman, natives of North Carolina and Kentucky respectively, who came to this county in 1833. To them have been born twelve children--Sarah E., wife of Isaac N. Vannice; Nancy, wife of George Duncan; Minerva J., wife of James Britton; Mary, deceased wife of Frank Frame; Amanda, wife of James Hunt; Jesse F., married Alice McPhetridge; John E., married Mary Cook; Frances, wife of Frank Fleece; Clarinda, wife of John Page; Vilitia B., married Richard Hypes; Josephus, married Ella Benson; and Minnie M. They have also living with them a grandchild, name Minnie O. Frame. In l840 Mr. and Mrs. Davis settled on the homestead now occupied by them, and which contains 190 acres of well-cultivated land. They are both earnest members of the Christian church, he being an Elder of the same for twenty-five years.