Fletcher Short Davis by Wanda Sheram
Fletcher Short Davis was born October 6, 1864 in Winchester, Illinois to Thomas Ballard Davis (son of William Davis and Hester Ann Roberson) and Maria Jane Ebey (daughter of John Neff Ebey and Rebecca Brunk). Fletcher was one of eight children, the others being John William Davis, Richard Newton Davis, Hardin Wallace Davis, Brunk Davis Davis, Thomas R. Davis, Rebecca Davis and Hettie Davis.
Fletcher married Alice J. McCracken on September 14, 1888. They had two sons, Vere Davis born July 25, 1891, and Dow Davis born May 18, 1893. Vere died in Austin, Texas on March 3, 1911, and Dow died in World War I.
In mid-1894 he came to Texas by train from Websters Grove, Missouri, and got off the train somewhere between Dallas and Tyler. He then walked 50 miles to Athens, Texas. He had previously written to Pearl Miller (owner of Miller Pottery in Athens) inquiring about a job. How he knew or heard of Mr. Miller is unknown. He began working at the Pottery as a "pottery turner." Mr. Miller, being a prominent businessman in Athens, soon got Fletcher interested in the community and county. It was about this time that he began to be known as "Old Dave."
Fletcher married Recilla "Ciddy" Allison on October 28, 1896, in Athens, Texas. She was the daughter of John Harvey Allison, Sr. and Sarah Elizabeth Starr. Recilla was one of four children, the others being John Harvey Allison, Jr. (my grandfather), George William Allison, and Ambrosia "Brosia" Allison (who was married to Pearl Miller). Most likely, Fletcher met Recilla through the Millers.
By the late 1890's, Uncle Fletch no longer worked at the Pottery. He established a small cafe, located on the north side of the Courhouse Square in Athens next to the J.J. Powers Drug Store (which later became Stirman's Drug). He is said to have served a ground beef sandwich, topped with mustard and a slice of onion and pickles. This became a very successful business, but he continued to cook for various picnics and functions of the Pottery.
In mid-1894 he came to Texas by train from Websters Grove, Missouri, and got off the train somewhere between Dallas and Tyler. He then walked 50 miles to Athens, Texas. He had previously written to Pearl Miller (owner of Miller Pottery in Athens) inquiring about a job. How he knew or heard of Mr. Miller is unknown. He began working at the Pottery as a "pottery turner." Mr. Miller, being a prominent businessman in Athens, soon got Fletcher interested in the community and county. It was about this time that he began to be known as "Old Dave."
Fletcher married Recilla "Ciddy" Allison on October 28, 1896, in Athens, Texas. She was the daughter of John Harvey Allison, Sr. and Sarah Elizabeth Starr. Recilla was one of four children, the others being John Harvey Allison, Jr. (my grandfather), George William Allison, and Ambrosia "Brosia" Allison (who was married to Pearl Miller). Most likely, Fletcher met Recilla through the Millers.
By the late 1890's, Uncle Fletch no longer worked at the Pottery. He established a small cafe, located on the north side of the Courhouse Square in Athens next to the J.J. Powers Drug Store (which later became Stirman's Drug). He is said to have served a ground beef sandwich, topped with mustard and a slice of onion and pickles. This became a very successful business, but he continued to cook for various picnics and functions of the Pottery.