William W. Davy is now devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits on section 19, Elizabeth township, but for many years he was connected with educational work and his influence an behalf of intellectual progress was most marked and beneficial. He was born in Porter township, Delaware county, Ohio, on the 16th of May, 1839, and is a son of Elder D. and Elizabeth (Leatherman) Davy, both natives of Tuscarawas county, this state. They were married May 31, 1832. The father, who was born May 4, 1811, died September 7, 1890. The grandfather, John Davy, was likewise born in Ohio, but the great-grandfather, who also bore the name of John, was a native of Wales, whence he crossed the Atlantic to America, taking up his residence in the Buckeye state. The mother of our subject died in 1850, in Delaware county, and on the 17th of November, 1850, the father married Catherine Bostetter, with whom he removed to Elizabeth township, locating near Casstown, where he resided until his death, which occurred when he had attained the age of eighty-three years. His second wife passed away when about seventy years of age. By his first marriage he had five sons and five daughters, of whom seven are still living, and by his second marriage there were four sons, three of whom are living: J. A., a resident of Troy; Henry D., who is living in Staunton township; and E. S., a resident of Fletcher, Ohio. Of his first family there are but four surviving sons at the present time, namely: William W., of this review; Dr. Jesse O. Davy, who formerly practiced medicine in Miami county, and is now a successful practitioner of Springfield, Ohio; John L., a farmer in Delaware county; and Ezra J., a farmer in Morrow county. The father engaged in farming, and was likewise a minister of the German Baptist church for about forty years. He was well known in connection with religious work, serving on a number of important committees, which caused frequent journeys into various states. He also did much evangelical work, and was known as elder or bishop. For many years he was connected with the annual conference as moderator, the assemblage being composed of delegates from all over the United States. In these important sessions all queries and important questions are discussed, and the conference was formed of the most eminent and representative men of the denomination. Mr. Davy continued in active church work until within a few years of his death, and was very prominent in his own denomination. His life was ever upright, and his memory remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him.

William W. Davy, whose name introduces this review, spent his boyhood days on the farm in Delaware county, and at the age of eighteen bought his time of his father in order that he might educate himself for the work of the school room. He attended a select school, and at the age of nineteen began teaching in Knox county. For more than thirty years he followed his chosen profession, and with the exception of three or four years was continuously a representative of the school interests of Delaware, Miami and Knox counties. In 1872 he came to Miami county to take charge of a school in Elizabeth township, near Alcony, and for some time thereafter engaged in teaching in Elizabeth and Monroe townships. About seven years since he retired from professional life, but for many years his influence will be felt upon the educational interests of his native state. He has been an important factor in many teachers' associations, whereby intellectual activity has been increased. He believes that the common schools should afford superior educational privileges, and should lay the foundation for a successful career, that teachers of marked ability should be employed; and that the standard of the schools should be very high. In 1888 he located upon his farm, and has since devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, his land being under a very high state of cultivation. His farm comprises ninety-seven acres, pleasantly located on the division line between Elizabeth and Bethel townships, and its highly cultivated fields bring to him a rich return for his labor.

On the 29th of December, 1863, Mr. Davy wedded Miss Sarah J. Page, of Delaware county, Ohio, and their union has been blessed with five children: Edward Emmer, who operates the home farm and in connection with his brother, Charles R., conducts a saw-mill and threshing machine, married Clara M. Yantis and has one child, William Edward; Ella Adelaide died at the age of eighteen years; Charles R. is associated in business with his elder brother; Mary O. is the wife of Harrison Frantz, of Clark county, Ohio; and Grace died at the age of two years.

William W. Davy, with his three brothers, served in the civil war, he and his brother, Dr. Jesse O. Davy, enlisting at the first call, while the other two joined the army three months later. Our subject enlisted in Company I, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at the first call, April 15, 1861, and served for eighteen months, being honorably discharged at Washington, D. C., September 17, 1862, being disabled for further service.

Mr. Davy votes with the Republican party and believes most firmly in its teachings and principles, yet has never been an office-seeker. He was reared in the faith of the German Baptist church, and for many years has been one of its members. He is a man of marked intellectuality, and of strong force of character, never wavering in his support of what he believes to be right. His life work has been of widespread benefit, and while guiding the intellectual advancement of those who have come under his instructions, his own sterling character has always left its impress upon the lives of the young.