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Early Life in Kentucky

William Davis was born in Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky. According to his 1900 obituary, he was born into slavery and spent his early years separated from his family. The obituary recalled that he was the seventh son of his parents and the last to be taken from his mother and sold away.

Although many details of his early life have been lost, the obituary preserves an important memory: Davis credited his faith to the influence of his mother, whose example remained with him throughout his life.

Freedom and the Civil War

During the Civil War, Davis became connected with the Union Army, assisting in what the obituary described as the “culinary department.”

The obituary further relates that he remained with the Union forces until circumstances allowed him to leave his former owner behind and begin a new life in freedom.

After the war he traveled north and eventually settled in Illinois.

Building a New Life

Davis spent time in Chicago before later settling in Sandwich around 1872.

Over the years he married, raised a family, and became deeply involved in the local Baptist Church. By the time of his death he was survived by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren spread across Illinois, Missouri, and beyond.

The Colored Preacher

The clearest evidence of Davis’s role in the community comes from the local newspapers.

In April 1884, the Sandwich Argus announced:

“William Davis will preach every Sunday afternoon, at three o’clock, in the parlors of the Baptist church. Everybody is welcome.”

The notice confirms that Davis regularly conducted preaching services in Sandwich.

When he died sixteen years later, the Argus referred to him simply as:

“William Davis, the colored preacher.”

Together, these references suggest that Davis was a familiar and respected religious figure within the Sandwich community.

A Faithful Member of the Community

Davis’s obituary states that he had been a member of the Baptist Church in Sandwich for approximately twenty eight years.

The writer described him as a man who endured hardship without losing his faith and noted that:

“Many men will remember him as having spoken to them of their eternal welfare.”

Whether preaching from the church parlors or speaking one on one with neighbors, Davis appears to have devoted much of his later life to his religious convictions.

Remembered in 1900

William Davis died on May 18, 1900.

Funeral services were held at both his home and the Baptist Church, conducted by Rev. J. C. Dent.

His obituary described him as a kind and godly father who would be greatly missed by the community he had called home for nearly three decades.

Why His Story Matters

William Davis’s life spanned some of the most significant events in American history. Born into slavery in Kentucky, he lived through the Civil War, gained his freedom, and built a new life in northern Illinois.

While many details of his life have been lost to time, the surviving records reveal a man remembered not for wealth or public office, but for his faith, perseverance, and service to others.

More than a century after his death, his story remains an important part of Sandwich history.

Facts at a Glance

Born: Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky (date unknown)

Died: May 18, 1900, Sandwich, Illinois

Occupation: Baptist preacher and church member

Known For: Longtime Sandwich resident remembered as “the colored preacher”

Buried: Lawn Ridge Cemetery in rural Sandwich

Sources

• The Sandwich Argus, April 26, 1884
• The Sandwich Argus, May 26, 1900
• Historic newspaper collection, University of Illinois Digital Newspaper Collections