James W. Davis, Sr., born in 1838 in Marion County, (W) Va., was the son of William & Rebecca Elizabeth (Keller) Davis. On May 24, 1859, in Harrison County, (W) Va., James married Mary E. Swiger, the daughter of Christopher Stuffield Swiger & Susannah Black.

     Born to the union of James W. and Rebecca were AI. C. Davis, April 07, 1860; Francis M. Davis, December 28, 1861 and James W. Davis, Jr., February 21, 1864.

     James W. Davis was enrolled on the 2nd day of August 1862 at Clarksburg, Virginia, in Company E, 12th Regiment of Virginia Volunteers Infantry, commanded by Captain Cornelius Mercer. He was mustered into service as a Private on the 26th day of August 1862 at Wheeling, Virginia.

     Private Davis died at post hospital, Clarksburg, West Virginia on November 27, 1863, while in the service of the United States. He died of Erysipelas, a disease contacted by him while in the line of duty. The Class III medal awarded for his service by the state of West Virginia was claimed from the West Virginia State Archives by descendant, Machelle Maxwell in 2003.