Jeremiah Smith Davis was born April 6, 1819 in Claremont County Ohio, sixteen miles from Cincinnati, where he resided with his parents on a farm until he was sixteen years of age, at which time they moved to Montgomery County Indiana.

There he assisted his parents on the farm and in the store and obtained a good common school education. He also learned the carpenter's trade, which he worked at some in his life.

He was married in 1848 to Rachel N. Griffin, who, with three children, survives him, all of them living in Arlington, Lincoln County. In the winter of 1854 he moved to Jefferson County Iowa, where they resided until the spring of 1857, when they moved to Leroy, Coffee County Kansas, where as a pioneer, he became quite a factor in the upbuilding of that part of the state. He owned a farm near Leroy and was also interested in mercantile business at that place.

He was a charter member of Lodge #28, A. F. and A. M. Lodge at Leroy, Kansas, where he held his membership until he moved to Oklahoma at the opening of Sac and Fox country in 1891.

He filed on and deeded the land on which Arlington is situated. He had held many positions of trust and honor and credit. His was an honest and honorable and exemplary life. He was postmaster at Arlington, a position which he held until old age and poor health compelled him to retire. He was an honorary member of Arlington Lodge, A. F. & A. M. and was a very enthusiastic Mason, having belonged to the craft for over 40 years, and being, perhaps, the oldest Mason in Lincoln County. He was always kind and beloved by all who knew him both in public and private life.

His remains were taken charge of by his Masonic brethren and laid to rest in the Arlington Cemetery with all the honors of the order. A large number of friends and neighbors assembled to pay their last tribute of respect to the friend they had loved and honored. The family of the deceased are deeply grateful for the kindness of neighbors during their bereavement.