Stella May Dunham, born about 1882, perhaps in Fountain Green Township, Hancock County, Illinois (where her parents were residing as of June 1, 1880), was the second daughter of William O. Dunham and Ermine C. Creel.  Stella wasn't even old enough to start school when Ermine died in 1886.  Both of the Dunham daughters were living with relatives in 1900.  Stella was counted in the household with Charles and Polly (Dunham) Fowler in the village of Blandinsville.  Polly was Stella's aunt.

Thomas and Stella were married Jul 21, 1902.  They became the parents of three sons, one of whom died in infancy:

Like his older brother, George Alva Davis, Thomas was a barber.  He owned and operated his own shop in Blandinsville.  Thomas' son, Burdette, at least initially, followed in Thomas' footsteps.

When Thomas registered for Selective Service in 1918, the registrar described him as being of medium height and build, with blue eyes and light hair.

At the time of the 1930 Federal Census, Stella and Charles were in Normal, McLean County, Illinois.  Stella reported herself as a married woman.  We have not located Thomas in 1930.  A Davis family biography published in 1992 stated that he died in 1956.

See also: Sarah Matilda Davis (Thomas' sister)

Davis, W S, head, white, male, Aug 1847, 52, married for 30 years, born IL, both parents born England, farmer, months not employed - 0, could read, write and speak English, paying on a mortgage on his farm home, farm schedule 160

Mary E, wife, white, female, June 1852, 47, married for 30 years; mother of 6 children, all living; born IL, both parents born IN, could read, write and speak English

Permelia, daughter, white, female, June 1876, 23, single, born IL, both parents born IL, could read, write and speak English

Thomas, son, white, male, July 1881, 18, single, born IL, both parents born IL, barber, [months not employed - no entry], could read, write and speak English

Fowler, Charles, head, white, male, June 1852, 47, married for 28 years, born OH, both parents born OH, harness maker, months not employed - 0, could read, write and speak English, paying on a mortgage on his home

Polly, wife, white, female, July 1852, 47, married for 28 years, mother of 0 children, born IL, both parents born OH, could read, write and speak English

Dunham, Stella, boarder, white, female, June 1882, 17, single, born IL, both parents born IL, at school for 8 months, could read, write and speak English

Davis, Thomas J, head, male, white, 28, married (1st) for 7 years, born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English, barber, own shop, employer, could read and write, owned his home free of mortgage

Stella, wife, female, white, 27, married (1st) for 7 years; mother of 2 children, 1 living; born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English, could read and write

Burdett, son, male, white, 6, single, born IL, both parents born IL, could read and write, attended school after Sept. 1, 1909

Davis, Thomas J, head, owner, free of mortgage, male, white, 38, married, could read and write, born IL, both parent born IL, spoke English, barber, own ship, employer

[continued on next page]

Stella N, wife, female, white, 37, married, could read and write, born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English

Burdette, son, male, white, 16, single, attended school after Sept. 1, 1919, could read and write, born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English, barber, barber ship, working for wages

Charles W, son, male, white, 8, single, attended school after Sept. 1, 1919, born IL, both parents born IL

Davis, Stella M, head, renter, monthly rental 56, owned a radio, female, white, 47, married, age at first marriage - 20, could read and write, born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English, boarding & rooming, home

Charles W, son, male, white, 18, single, attended school after Sept. 1, 1929, could read and write, born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English