DAVIS FURNITURE, 721-723 MAIN STREET, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - Samuel D. Davis

Samuel D. Davis

My parents were married in May of 1941.  They had originally scheduled a June wedding, but my father felt war was imminent, so they moved the date up to May.  Unlike the newlyweds of today, they did not move right into a house - they rented an apartment.  The apartment was at 809 Seward Street in Evanston.  My mother was a native Evanstonian; my father had been transferred to Evanston by Public Service Co., the forerunner to Commonwealth Edison.  They needed furniture for their apartment, so my mother told me they went to see a very nice man who owned Davis Furniture on Main Street in Evanston.  After they had picked out all their new furniture, Mr. Davis said "Now pick out one more piece of furniture and that will be my wedding present to you."  They picked out a beautiful oak desk - the very same desk I am sitting in front of as I write this post.  Furniture in those days was built to last.  So, let's see what we can "dig up" about Samuel D. Davis, the friendly furniture man.

Samuel D. Davis was born January 19, 1888 in Chicago to David Davis (1855-1948) and Hannah Krause (1860-1894).  There are many versions of what the family name was originally in the old country (Russia/Poland).  Some sources say the family name was originally Dolzinski.  Others say Dubzinsky, Dobzensky, or Debsinsky.  David, Hannah and all their descendants used the Americanized last name "Davis."

David Davis was a Tailor by trade.  He came to the United States in 1881, and as soon as he could, became a Naturalized US citizen. 

Little is known about David Davis' first wife Hannah Krause.  We do know that she was born in Hungary in 1860.  In Hungary her name would have been Háni Kraúsz.  It is unknown when she came to the United States.  It is also unknown exactly when she married David Davis.  They had their first child in December of 1883, and we know that David came to the US in 1881 so it is likely that they married in 1882 or early 1883.

David and Hannah were the parents of six children:  Alfred (1883-1970), Gertrude/Mrs. Leo Arends (1886-1985), Samuel (1888-1980), Minnie/Mrs. Samuel Clayman/Mrs. George Eales/Mrs. Joe Ellis (1890-1984), Louis (1892-1965) and Philip (1894-1968).  David gave all of his sons the middle name of David.

Samuel Davis' mother Hannah Krause Davis died in Chicago on June 27, 1894.  She was thirty-three years old, Samuel was six.  Her death was reported twice.  Once as "Hannah Davis" buried in Rosehill Cemetery, and the second time as "Hanny D. Davis" buried at Jewish Waldheim Cemetery.  Family Search lists her as "Hannah Annie Krause  Davis."  She was actually buried in Jewish Waldheim Cemetery in River Grove, Illinois at Gate 60 - Star of the West.  Here is her tombstone:

David Davis married again on June 2, 1895 in Chicago.  The bride's name was Mary Krause.  Mary Krause was born in Hungary, September 17, 1877.  In all likelihood she was related to David's first wife Hannah Krause.  There was a seventeen year age difference - they may have been sisters or other close relatives.  

At the time of his second marriage David Davis was forty years old; the bride was seventeen. 

David and Mary were blessed with five children:  Abel/Abie (1896-1900), Isadore/Edward (1898-1987), Rose/Mrs. Mayer Sklar (1899-1998), Charles (1901-1994), and William (1906-1976).  In addition, Mary formally adopted David's six children from his first marriage.  As he had with his older sons, David gave all of his younger sons the middle name of David.

Getting back to the subject of this article:  Samuel D. Davis.  He makes his first appearance in the 1900 US Census.  The family had relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota - to 2109 Fifth Avenue.  A vacant lot occupies that space today.  The family consisted of:  "D," (40 years old), wife Mary (23), Alfred (16), Gustie (14) , Sam (12), Minnie (10), Louis (8), Philip (6), Isadore (2), and Rose (7/12).  "D" and Mary said they had been married for five years.  Mary said she had given birth to nine children, eight of whom, were still alive in 1900.  She had actually only given birth to three - she was taking credit for Hannah's children who she had adopted.  The one deceased child was Abel (Abie) who had died in 1900.

"D" reported his occupation as "Tailor," that both he and Mary had immigrated in 1881, that he was a Naturalized Citizen, that they rented their home, and that it was not a farm.

I don't know what caused the family to move to Minnesota, but they were back in Chicago by the time Charles was born on June 7, 1901.  

The 1910 US Census finds twenty-two year old Samuel still living with his parents at 716 East 42nd Street in Chicago.  A vacant lot occupies that spot today.  The family consisted of:  David (49 years old), wife Mary (33), Alfred (26), Samuel (22), Louis (18), Phillip (16), Isidore (12), Rose (10), Charles (8), and William (3).  David and Mary said they had been married for fifteen years.  David indicated it was his second marriage.  Mary now states that she has given birth to four children, all of whom were alive in 1910.  David and Mary now state that they both came to the US in 1880 and that David is a Naturalized Citizen.  It is items like this that make genealogy research so maddening.  Although the census is a primary source, people could say anything when asked, without having to back up anything they said.    

David lists his Occupation as "Proprietor of a Tailor Shop," Alfred was a "Bookkeeper in an Iron Works," Samuel was a "Shipping Clerk for Furniture," Louis was a "Designer for a Tailor," and Phillip was an "Office Boy in the Stockyards."  They all spoke English except the two youngest; however David could neither read nor write.  They rented their house and it was not a farm.

In 1916 Samuel D. Davis married Irene "Ollie" Nicholson (1888-1971).  The groom was twenty-eight years old; the bride was also twenty-eight.

Irene Nicholson was the daughter of John Nicholson and Mary McHugh.

Samuel Davis registered from the Draft on June 5, 1917.  He said he was married and lived at 3552 Flournoy in Chicago:

3552 W. Flournoy, Chicago

He said he was a Natural-Born citizen  and that he currently worked as Furniture Salesman for the Holland Furniture Company in Chicago.  He also said he was White, and had never served in the military.  The Registrar said Davis was "medium" height, slender, with gray eyes and light colored hair - and he was not bald.  He had no physical infirmities but felt he should not have to serve because he was supporting his wife.  

The 1920 US Census finds Davis and his wife still living at the Flournoy address.  The family consisted of:  Samuel D. (31 years old), and his wife Ollie (30).  They both could read and write.  Samuel was born in Illinois; Ollie in Indiana.  Samuel said both of his parents were born in Germany, and their mother tongue was Yiddish.  Ollie said both her parents were born in Indiana.  Samuel said his occupation was a "Furniture Salesman."

In 1927 Samuel Davis decided it was time to go out on his own.  He and Ollie moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin and opened two furniture stores.  In Kenosha they rented an apartment at 6401 8th Avenue:

6401 8th Avenue, Kenosha, Wisconsin

The stores were at two locations:  217 Market Square and 621 56th Street.  The Market Square address does not seem to exist anymore, but here is the 56th Street Building:

621 56th Street, Kenosha, WI

Ollie Davis became involved in local Kenosha organizations.  She joined the Order of the Eastern Star, and the White Shrine of Jerusalem, both in Kenosha.  The Order of the Eastern Star is associated with Freemasonry - its teachings and degrees are based on central female figures from the Bible.  The White Shrine of Jerusalem is an offshoot of Masonry but its members must profess a faith in Jesus Christ.  This leads me to believe that Ollie Davis may have been a Christian.

In 1929 Davis closed the Market Square store and opened a new one at 5607 7th Avenue in Kenosha:

5607 7th Avenue, Kenosha, Wisconsin

The 1930 US Census finds Samuel and his wife living at 2204 60th Street in Kenosha:

2204 60th Street, Kenosha, Wisconsin

The family consisted of:  Samuel D. Davis (42 years old), and wife Ollie (40).  Samuel said he was twenty-eight when he was first married; Ollie was twenty-six.  They rented their apartment for $65.00/month ($1,304.00 in today's funds) and they did own a radio.  Samuel said he was a "Furniture Merchant," and not a Veteran.

In 1931 Samuel and Ollie moved again - this time to a house at 318 73rd Street in Kenosha:

318 73rd Street, Kenosha, Wisconsin

In 1932, having become well-established in Kenosha, Samuel Davis decided to run for a spot on the Kenosha City Council.  Here is the announcement from the Kenosha (WI) News of February 12, 1932:

Davis fought a hard campaign.  This is from the Kenosha (WI) News from April 4, 1932:

Alas, Davis was not successful.  Here are the election results from the Kenosha (WI) News from April 6, 1932:

Samuel Davis was a man of class.  Here is an ad he took out the day after he lost the election:

The Kenosha (WI) News 06 Apr 1932

As a consolation, Davis was offered the position of the Vice President of the Kenosha County Democratic Club.  Davis refused and said he had not affiliated himself with any political party:

The Kenosha (WI) News - 27 May 1932

Perhaps losing the election left Samuel Davis with hard feelings about Kenosha, or perhaps it was for another reason, but in 1935 Samuel and Ollie Davis moved their business and themselves to beautiful Evanston Illinois.

This is from the Evanston Review from March 7, 1935:

The fact that Kenosha was not even mentioned in the article makes me think there may have been some hard feelings there.

The 1935 Evanston Directory states that Samuel Davis is an "Upholsterer" at 721-23 Main Street.  And, his residence is 827 Hinman in Evanston.  Parking lots occupy both of those spaces today.  

Once established, Davis Furniture Craftsmen began to thrive.  Here is one of their first advertisements from the Evanston Review from March 21, 1935:

As the new man in town, Davis realized that he had to get his name before the people who were his potential customers.  Wisely he advertised in the Evanston Review because in those days, everyone read the Evanston Review.

Another advertisement from the Review from 1935:

An ad from "Dollar Days":

and another:

In 1936 Davis changed the name of his company to just "Davis Furniture:"

By 1937, Samuel and Ollie Davis had moved to 736 Hinman Avenue in Evanston:

736 Hinman Avenue, Evanston, Illinois

I was unable to locate Samuel or Ollie Davis in the 1940 US Census.  I know from the Evanston Directories they were living at  736 Hinman before 1940 and still living at that address after 1940.  I found the 1940 Census listing for 736 Hinman and they are not among the people listed as living there.

During the 1940s Davis Furniture continued to thrive and they continued to advertise in the Evanston Review.  Here's an ad from February 13, 1941:

From December 17, 1942:

On April 27, 1942 Samuel Davis registered for the Draft.  He said that he lived at 736 Hinman in Evanston.  He gave his date and place of birth and said he was 54 years old.  For the field "Name and Address of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address" he did not list his wife.  He listed his oldest brother Alfred.  He said he was "Self-Employed" by "Davis Furniture 721 Main Street, Evanston."  The Registrar reported that he was "White," was "5 feet 8 inches tall" and weighed "134 lbs."  She said he had "Blue Eyes," "Blonde and Gray Hair," a "Light Complexion" and a "very small scar right eye."

Samuel Davis' father, David Davis died on December 12, 1948 in Chicago.  He was ninety three years old.  

Here is his Death Notice from the Chicago Tribune of December 14, 1948:

He was buried next to his first wife in Jewish Waldheim Cemetery in River Grove, Illinois at Gate 60 - Star of the West.  Here is his tombstone:

Samuel Davis and his wife did allow themselves to be counted for the 1950 US Census.  They were still living at 736 Hinman Avenue, Apartment 1-E in Evanston.  The family consisted of:  Samuel D. Davis (61 years old), and his wife Ollie D. Davis (53).  She was really 59.  Samuel reported his occupation as "Proprietor of a Retail Furniture Store," and that he had worked 75 hours per week - not unusual when you own your own business.  They also reported they did not live on a farm.

In the 1950s, Davis Furniture was still around, and still advertised in the Evanston Review, although not as elaborately as in the past.  Here is an ad from August 23, 1951:

Here is a photo from the Evanston History Center that shows the 700 block of Main Street in the 1950s.  The Davis Furniture sign is outlined in red:

In 1952 Davis applied for Social Security which would begin on his sixty-fifth birthday in January of 1953.  

In February of 1959 Samuel Davis decided it was time to retire and he sold Davis Furniture.  He was seventy-one years old and had been in business in Evanston since 1935 - twenty-four years.  He sold the business to Leonard Vodian of Skokie and Carl Akwa of Chicago who immediately applied for a closing-out sale license.  They had planned to liquidate the furniture and fabric stock of Davis Furniture and then close when the current lease with the owner expired at the end of 1959.  As the end of 1959 approached, the business was doing so well they contacted the landlord and asked for a six month lease extension.

On November 11, 1959, there was a mysterious fire in the building occupied by Davis Furniture.  The fire started in three different places on the first and second floors of the furniture store, and it was found that the back door had also been left open.  Arson was suspected.  At the time of the fire, both Leonard Vodian and Carl Akwa were in the building along with their insurance agent, Jules Levin.

Samuel Davis must have breathed a big sigh of relief that he no longer had a financial interest in Davis Furniture.

Some time after 1960 Samuel and Ollie Davis left Evanston and rented an apartment at 4250 N. Marine Drive in Chicago:

4250 N. Marine Drive, Chicago, Illinois

Irene "Ollie" Davis died November 13, 1971 in Evanston.  She was eighty years old.  Here is her obituary and Death Notice from the Chicago Tribune of November 15, 1971:

Because of their long-time involvement in Kenosha, the notification of Irene's death was also put in the Kenosha News of November 15, 1971:

She was buried in Westlawn Cemetery, Norridge, Illinois, in Section C - Block 6, Lot 19, Grave 8:

After his wife's death, Samuel Davis moved to Tucson, Arizona.

Samuel David Davis died September 12, 1980 in Tucson.  He was ninety-two years old.  Here is his Death Notice from the Arizona Daily Star from September 13, 1980:

His body was returned to Chicago and he was buried next to his wife in Westlawn Cemetery, in Section C - Block 6, Lot 19, Grave 7:

I think Samuel Davis would be pleased that some of the furniture he sold my parents in 1941 is still being used today 85 years later.

Samuel D. Davis

Samuel D. Davis - Furnishing Evanston for twenty-four years - may he rest in peace.

THE REST OF THE STORY

Ollie Davis died in 1971 and Samuel in 1980.  They never had any children. 

The only outstanding item was the suspected arson fire at Davis Furniture in November of 1959.  At the time of the fire the chief suspects were the store's owners Leonard Vodian and Carl Akwa.  Both were asked to take lie detector tests and both refused.  Vodian said his doctor would not permit him to take a lie detector test because it would be too stressful.  Akwa said if Vodian wouldn't take a lie detector test, neither would he.  Jules Levin took the lie detector test and passed it.

No further suspects were named, and to this day the potential arson fire at 721-23 Main Street in Evanston in 1959 remains unsolved.

This doesn't really pertain to Samuel Davis however, because he no longer had an interest in the Davis Furniture business after he sold it to Voldian and Akwa.

But wait, there's more:

THE MYSTERY OF THE WIFE OF Samuel D. Davis

When I am writing an article for this blog about a particular person I add information about their spouse, their parents, their siblings and their children.  To be able to keep track of everyone I put a family tree together on ancestry.com which I delete after the article is published.  

In the case of Samuel D. Davis, I knew that he was buried in Westlawn Cemetery in Norridge, Illinois, and next to him was his wife, "Irene O. Davis."  So, I added Irene to the tree along with the years of her birth and death according to the tombstone.  Actually only the date of her death (November 13, 1971), because birth information is not on her tombstone. 

The lack of birth information is no big deal, because I can get it from other sources including the US Census.

In the 1910 US Census Samuel Davis is listed as "Single" but by the 1920 US Census he is "Married," so he must have gotten married sometime between 1910 and 1920.  Whoever met the census enumerator for the 1920 Census listed Samuel Davis' wife as "Ollie," age 30, born in Indiana, as were both of her parents.  If she told the truth to the census-taker she was born in 1890.

I checked ancestry.com and family search for a wedding for Samuel D. Davis between 1910 and 1920.  Nothing.

I took a look at the 1930 US Census for Samuel D. Davis.  Again his wife is listed as "Ollie."  For "Age at Last Birthday" Samuel was 42, Ollie was 40.  For "Age at First Marriage" Samuel was 28. Ollie was 26.  Since we know that Samuel was born in 1888, his marriage was in 1916.  I did find a marriage for Samuel D. Davis in Cook County, Illinois with a date of April 5, 1916.  Samuel was the groom, and the bride was "Viola H. Nicholson."  Samuel D. Davis was not an uncommon name, but Viola H. Nicholson doesn't sound like Irene or Ollie, so this record is probably not what I was looking for.

I also noted that Ollie on this census said she was born in Indiana, but now she said her father was born in Kentucky and her mother in Indiana.  But I couldn't take this any further because I did not know Ollie's Maiden Name.

I also checked newspapers.com and GenealogyBank.com for any announcements for a wedding for Samuel D. Davis in 1916.  Nothing.

I was beginning to get frustrated, so I did what I almost never do, I paid to get a copy of Irene Davis' Death Certificate figuring it would have her parents' names which would give me her Maiden Name.

Here is her Death Certificate:

It did provide me with some interesting (and frustrating) information.  First of all, her parents:  John Nicholson and Mary McHugh Nicholson.  Her Date of Birth: October 11, 1888 and Place of Birth:  Indiana.

So now I looked for a Birth Record for Irene Nicholson, born October 11, 1888 in Indiana to John and Mary Nicholson. Nothing.

Then I went back and looked for a Marriage Record for Irene Nicholson and Samuel D. Davis in 1916.  Nothing.

I looked for a Marriage Record for Irene's parents, John Nicholson and Mary McHugh.  Nothing.

I checked the three Death Notices for Irene Davis that were in the newspapers: 2 in Illinois and one in Wisconsin:

No mention of her Maiden Name, no parents' names, no names of brothers or sisters, nieces or nephews - just her husband Samuel D. Davis.

Since the 1916 Marriage Record listed a Viola H. Nicholson and Irene Davis' maiden name was Nicholson, I checked for a Birth Record for Viola H. Nicholson, daughter of John and Mary Nicholson, born in 1888 in Indiana - Nothing.

It is almost as if Samuel Davis' wife just appeared out of thin air.

I also checked Census records for a John Nicholson and Mary Nicholson, both born in Indiana or John Nicholson born in Kentucky and Mary born in Indiana.  I found some, but none with a daughter Irene or Ollie or Viola. 

Sometimes in genealogical research you get to a point where you can go no further - you have checked all available records and are "stuck."  this is called a "brick wall."  The wife of Samuel D. Davis certainly falls into the category of a brick wall.

Since Samuel D. Davis is the subject of this month's blog article, and not his wife, I will have to be satisfied with the brick wall.

If anyone out there knows any additional information about Mrs. Samuel D. Davis, please pass it along.

And Finally:

The December 1, 2026 story for this blog will be the first installment of "Daddy's Dairy", the Diary kept by Lt. JG Robert Greenleaf Brice.  He was a native Chicagoan who enlisted in the Navy during World War II and went on to win two Navy Crosses for "outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty."  I found his diary to be fascinating and I'm sure you will, too.