Davis Furnas ~ A Leader of Miami Monthly Meeting & Civic Servant

In 1882
Shortly before his death

Davis Furnas

1829- April 7th, 1906

Clerk of Miami Monthly Meeting (Hicksite)
from 1880-1894

His biography in the
1882 Warren County, Ohio History can be found at:

http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohwarren/Beers/V/way/0841.htm

Davis Furnas was the son of Seth and Dinah Furnas. He was the brother of Dr. Robert F. Furnas. Davis Furnas was married three times:

• Jane Satterthwaite ~ married September 1, 1852 at Miami Monthly Meeting in Waynesville, Ohio. They had six children, three sons and two daughters surviving: Seth, Elizabeth Bogardus, Anna Blackburn, John and Edwin.
• Sarah Truman ~ d. 1881
• Sidney Blackburn ~ d. 1912 (of Fishertown, Pennsylvania)

The following is Davis Furnas' obituary found in the Miami-Gazette, April 18th, 1906:

DAVIS FURNAS, PIONEER RESIDENT PASSES AWAY. Was Minister in the Friends Society, Prominent for many years in the Community and one whose loss will be greatly felt. Davis Furnas, a pioneer resident of Wayne township, died at the Furnas homestead in East Wayne township about eleven o'clock Saturday night. Few men have been so closely and prominently identified with this community as has Davis Furnas. Practically all his long life was lived here. In every undertaking effecting the public welfare his influence was felt and he commanded the respect and esteem of everyone. For many years he was a minister in the Society of Friends, and his loss will be especially felt there.

Funeral services were held from the Friends White Brick Meeting House Tuesday morning and was very largely attended. Rev. Philip Trout, Rev. Benjamin Hawkins, Rev. J. F. Cadwallader, Rebecca Merritt, Bethia Furnas, Matilda Underwood, Chas. F. Chapman and Jesse Wright all spoke during the service, each testifying to the worth, the honesty, the ability, the influence for good, of the long life of him who had passed away.

After the service at the Meeting House the solemn cortege wended its way to Miami Cemetery where the precious remains were placed in their last resting place.

He had been thrice married, his first wife being Jane Satterthwaite, to whom he was married in 1852, and who was the mother of his five children: Seth, Elizabeth Bogardus, Anna Blackburn, John and Edwin, all of whom, with the exception of John, survive their father. His widow was before her marriage Miss Sidney Blackburn of Fishertown, Pennsylvania, a lady of exceptional culture and intelligence. Besides these, there are about twenty grandchildren, and a large number of other relatives and a host of friends who sincerely mourn him.

The following sketch of the life of Mr. Furnas appeared in the Warren County Centennial Atlas which was published about two years ago:

"Davis Furnas was born in Wayne township, Warren County, Ohio, in 1829, and has always resided in this township. He was the son of Seth Furnas, who was the fourth son of Robert Furnas. Davis Furnas lived the busy life of a successful farmer, and has performed many public services. He was township trustee for twenty years; served a greater time as school director; was township superintendent of the public schools for three years; served as juror many times; he appraised real estate and performed many other public duties. He served the Friends as clerk of their Monthly, Quarterly and Yearly Meeting for many years, and has done a pretty full share of traveling, east and west. He has seen great changes in the customs of the people, and in their modes of living. It is almost impossible for the youth of the present day to even imagine the changes that have taken place in this country within his memory."