The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Center Township, pages 510-511
William T. Davis, junior member of the milling firm of Haynes & Davis, proprietors of the Commercial Mills of Danville, was born on a farm near Powellsville, Worcester Co., Md., Aug. 4, 1845. He lived with his parents, Todd F. and Levicey (Littleton) Davis, till reaching his majority, receiving only a common school education. On leaving home he went to Salisbury, Md., and clerked in a store about two years. In 1869 he came west and worked in a machine shop in East St. Louis, Ill., at engineering, about two years, and during that time he was in the employ of the I. & St. L. R.R. Company in Hendricks County. In 1871 he permanently settled in Danville, and was engineer in the Peerless Mills until 1878 when he was employed as a clerk in the store of Yancy Green, of Danvillle, till Jan.1, 1879. He then engaged in the mercantile business at Reno, Hendricks County, which he discontinued in August, after which he was engaged in business a short time in Indianapolis. In 1881 the present firm of Haynes & Davis was formed, he having purchased and interest in the Peerless Mills. In 1883, after great improvements, the name of the mill was changed to Commercial Mills. While at Reno, Mr. Davis served as Postmaster. He was married Jan. 12, 1871, to Joanna Moore, of Danville. They have three children living--Levicy, Cheivor and Virgil L. Loda died at Reno, Dec. 1, 1880, aged five years. Mr. Davis and wife are members of the Christian church of Danville. He is a member of Silcox Lodge, No. 123, I.O.O.F., of which he is past Grand, and is also a member of the Grand Lodge of the State of Indiana.