from The History of Hendricks County (Indianapolis: B.F. Bowen & Co., 1914)--pages 509-511
Among the strong and influential citizens of Hendricks County the record of whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section, the gentleman whose name appears above occupies a prominent place, and for years he has exerted a beneficial influence in the localities honored by his residence. His chief characteristics are keenness of perception, a tireless energy, honest of purpose and motive and every-day common sense, which have enabled him not only to advance his own interests, but also largely contribute to the moral and material advancement of the community.
Smith R. Davis, than whom no resident of North Salem, Hendricks County, Indiana, enjoys a higher degree of popular confidence and regard, is a native of Hendricks County, born in Eel River Township on the 29th day of July, 1845, and is the son of Benjamin Franklin and Jane (Russell) Davis, being their only child. Benjamin Franklin Davis came to Hendricks County in 1829, when six years of age, with his parents, Enoch and Nancy (Hart) Davis. They came from near Mount Sterling, Kentucky, to which locality Enoch Davis' father had gone from his native state of Virginia, taking with him his bride. Enoch Davis was the father of a family of nine children, of whom Benjamin Franklin was one. After coming to Hendricks County, he obtained a tract of government land about a mile and half northwest of North Salem, where he passed the remainder of his life. In this same locality his son, Benjamin Franklin Davis, settled at the time of his marriage to Jane Russell in 1844, purchasing a tract of land near his father's home. However, he did not remain on this place long, but during his life bought and sold several pieces of ground in and around North Salem, in which town his death occurred in 1909. Jane (Russell) Davis, his wife, was a daughter of Silas Russell and was one of a family of nine children. She was a native of Kentucky and in 1842 came to Hendricks County with a neighbor, thereafter, until the time of the marriage, making her home with her brother, Smith Russell, who came to this county some time before.
Smith R. Davis remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage to Jane C. Brown, in 1866, shortly afterwards purchasing the farm adjoining his home. Jane C. Brown was the daughter of George M. and Martha (Dermott) Brown, and her death occurred in 1873. She left one child, Benjamin Marshall Davis, who is professor of nature study and agriculture at the Miami University at Oxford, Ohio. Benjamin Marshall Davis is married and had one daughter, Catherine L., who died at the age of eighteen years. In 1875 Mr. Davis took as his second wife Martha (Robbins) Kesler, daughter of John and Lydia (Parsons) Robbins, and to their union has been born one child, Lydia Jane, who is now the wife of Urbin L. Williams, son of Alexander M. and Martha (Griggs) Williams. Lydia Jane and Urbin L. Williams have one child living, Rodger Davis Williams. All are residents of North Salem.
Politically, Mr. Davis gives his loyal support to the Republican Party, being active in the affairs of same. He was appointed as township trustee of Eel River Township and served for two terms, 1887 to 1889, and was again elected, serving from 1900 to 1905. Since removing to North Salem he has been active in the party's affairs, as related to that city, and is at present serving as town clerk and treasurer of North Salem. His fraternal affiliations are with the time-honored body of Free and Accepted Masons and also the Knights of Pythias. Both Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, and both hold church membership with the Christian Church, doing all within their power to further the interests of that society. In was in 1890 that Mr. Davis removed his family to North Salem and disposed of his farm holdings in 1900, since which time he has devoted his time and energies to the political work devolving upon him and in the conduct of the affairs of his home.
Mr. Davis is a veteran of the Civil War, having served toward the close of the war as a corporal in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. His father, who was also an officer, being lieutenant in Company F, Fifty-fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteers. However, the father, Benjamin Franklin Davis, was not able to finish the campaign, having contracted pneumonia soon after the company went into service and being thus incapacitated.
Mr. Davis is a man whom to know is to admire, for he has led a most exemplary life, and has sought to do his duty in all relations with his fellow men, being a man of honor, public spirit, charitable impulse and unswerving integrity and enterprise; consequently, he is eminently deserving of mention in a history of his county, along with other well known and representative citizens.