Individual Details
Ora Mae Sharp
(24 Dec 1894 - 11 May 1986)
Ora Sharp was raised by foster parents named Ada & Frank Woods. Ed Davis was a handyman at the Wood's farm. Ora Sharp was a "servant-type" foster child; cooking at the age of 4 or 5 (as soon as she could stand on a stool by the sink and stove). This continued until Ed insisted on dating Ora (against the Woods' wishes, and then married her.
Both the Davis and Sharp families are from the vicinity of Ellsinore, Williamsville, East Prairie, and Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Yearly gatherings were for molasses making; apple butter making; and graveyard working. The families were mainly farmers.
One significant family trip was by covered wagon from Ellsinore to Little Rock, Arkansas, to pick cotton. All night travel was necessary to run from a band of gypsies (according to recollection of Leeta Davis).
Travel from St. Louis to visit relatives was done mainly by horse drawn wagons crossing the Black River.
Events
| Birth | 24 Dec 1894 | Ellsinore, Carter, Missouri, United States |  | ||
| Census | 27 Jun 1900 | Williamsville and Grandin Road, Cane Creek Township, Butler, Missouri, United States |  | | |
| Census | 5 May 1910 | Williamsville and Grandin Road, Cane Creek Township, Butler, Missouri, United States | | | |
| Marriage License | 22 Dec 1911 | Carter County, Missouri, United States - Edward Thomas "Ed" Davis | | | |
| Residence | 22 Dec 1911 | Ellsinore, Carter, Missouri, United States | | | |
| Marriage | 24 Dec 1911 | "Frank Woods", Butler County, Missouri, United States - Edward Thomas "Ed" Davis | | | |
| Residence (family) | 16 Jan 1920 | on a farm - Johnson, Carter, Missouri, United States - Edward Thomas "Ed" Davis | | | |
| Census | 16 Jan 1920 | Johnson, Carter, Missouri, United States | | | |
| Residence (family)-shared | 16 Jan 1920 | (Edward Thomas "Ed" Davis and Ora Mae Sharp) on a farm - Johnson, Carter, Missouri, United States | | | |
| Residence (family) | 30 Apr 1930 | 1104 11th Street, St. Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri, United States - Edward Thomas "Ed" Davis | | | |
| Census-shared | 30 Apr 1930 | (Edward Thomas "Ed" Davis) St. Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri, United States | | | |
| Residence (family)-shared | 30 Apr 1930 | (Edward Thomas "Ed" Davis and Ora Mae Sharp) 1104 11th Street, St. Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri, United States | | | |
| Residence (family) | 8 Apr 1940 | 3831 Main Street (aka S. 1st Street), St. Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri, United States - Edward Thomas "Ed" Davis | | | |
| Census-shared | 8 Apr 1940 | (Edward Thomas "Ed" Davis) St. Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri, United States | | | |
| Death | 11 May 1986 | Dupo, St. Clair, Illinois, United States | | ||
| Burial | Palmier Cemetery, Columbia, Monroe, Illinois, United States | | |||
| SSN issued | 352-56-8021, Illinois, United States | |
Families
| Spouse | Edward Thomas "Ed" Davis (1886 - 1964) |
| Child | Delpha Davis (1912 - ) |
| Child | Grace Mildred Davis Wilson Davis (1914 - 1997) |
| Child | Leeta Marie Davis (1916 - 2006) |
| Child | Raymond Davis (1918 - ) |
| Child | Zelma Davis (1923 - 2010) |
| Father | George Joshua Sharp (1863 - 1948) |
| Mother | Hester A. Tinsley (1872 - 1896) |
| Sibling | Sephus Sydney Sharp (1891 - 1951) |
Notes
Census
Ora Mae Sharp is listed in the 1900 census as "Ora Sharp," age 5, living in the household of Frank and Ada Wood. She is recorded as a "cousin" of this family. Others living in the household are son William M. Wood (age 2) and boarder William Strait (age 24). The birthplaces of Ora and both her parents was listed as "Missouri."Census
Ora Mae Sharp is listed in the 1910 census as "Ora Sharp," age 15, living in the household of Frank and Ada Woods. She is recorded as a "servant" of this family. Others living in the household are son William M. Wood (age 12), son Joseph F. Woods (age 9), and daughter Minnie Woods (age 10 months). The birthplaces of Ora and both her parents was listed as "Missouri." She is recorded as "working on her own account" for a private family, and able to read and write.In 1910, Ora's father, George Joshua Sharp, was living by himself on the family farm on Frisco Rail Road west of Williamsville. Her brother, Sephus Sharp was recorded by the census as a laborer at a nearby farm on Brushy Creek, owned by G. P. Hilliar. His name is incorrectly recorded as "Seaf Sharp." Meanwhile, Ora Mae Sharp, was living in the house of Frank and Ada Woods on Cane Creek. These living arrangements were likely due to the death of wife and mother Hester A. Tinsley in 1896. George Sharp was listed as widowed in the 1910 census.
Marriage License
Ora Mae Sharp was 17 years of age at the time of her marriage to Ed T. Davis. Because she was underage, her father George J. Sharp wrote a note from Williamsville, Missouri, on 18 December 1911, legally giving his consent to the marriage. Frank Wood is recorded at the bottom of this note as swearing that he was a witness to George J. Sharp's signature. The latter is dated 22 December 1911, the same day as the marriage certificate was issued, and signed by the state recorder. This information seems to imply that George J. Sharp was absent the day the marriage certificate was obtained, but provided his written consent several days earlier; And Frank Wood stood in as a substitute. Ora Mae Sharp is known to have fostered with Frank Wood and his family.Residence
In 1911, Ora Mae Sharp's city of residence is recorded on certificate of marriage between her and Edward T. Davis as being Ellsinore, Missouri.Marriage
The wedding of Edward T. Davis and Ora Mae Sharp is recorded as having taken place on 24 December 1911 at Frank Wood's residence in Butler County, Missouri. Ora Mae Sharp is known to have fostered with Frank Wood's family. This location is different than the places of residence for Edward and Ora recorded on the marriage certificate obtained on 22 December 1911 in Carter County, Missouri. Edward and Ora are both recorded as residing in Elsinore, Carter County, Missouri.Residence (family)
The family lived on a farm.Census
The 1920 U. S. Census recorded "Ed T. Davis" (age 33) as the head of his household in Johnson, Carter, Missouri. The household includes wife Ora May Davis (age 25), daughter Delpha M. Davis (age 7), Grace Davis (age 5), daughter Leeta Davis (age 3 years/3 months), and son Alph Raymond Davis (age 1 year/7 months). All were born in Missouri, as were all their fathers and mothers. Delpha was recorded as being in school, and only Ed and Ora are recorded as being able to read and write. Ed owned his own home, which was mortgaged, and is listed as a farm laborer on his home farm.Residence (family)-shared
The family lived on a farm.Residence (family)
The residence at 1504 S. 11th Street was located on the downtown city block now occupied by the City of St. Louis Ray Leisure Park and Playground at Park Avenue.Census-shared
The 1930 U. S. Census recorded "Edward T. Davis" (age 43) as the head of his household at 1504 Eleven Street in St. Louis, St. Louis (Independent City), Missouri. The household includes wife Ora M. Davis (age 35), daughter Delpha M. Davis (age 17), daughter Grace M. Davis (age 15), daughter Lieta [sic] Davis (age 13), son Raymond A. Davis (age 11), and daughter Zelma L. Davis (age 6). All were born in Missouri, as were all their fathers and mothers. The family is recorded as renting their home for $25/month. Edward and Ora were married at ages 25 and 17, respectively. Only Leeta, Raymond, and Zelma were recorded as having attended school since September 1, 1929. All were recorded as being able to read and write. Edward was employed as a foreman at a cordage mill. He was not listed as a veteran.Residence (family)-shared
The residence at 1504 S. 11th Street was located on the downtown city block now occupied by the City of St. Louis Ray Leisure Park and Playground at Park Avenue.Residence (family)
Main Street was later known as S. 1st Street. A small, square, one-story dwelling appears at 3831 Main Street on the Sanborn map of St. Louis in 1950, volume 4, sheet 111. It may also appear in earlier maps. However, these are not currently available online. The residence was constructed sometime after 1916, as the parcel shows as undeveloped on the 1916 Sanborn map. The residence was setback on a narrow parcel that fronted 1st Street. The surrounding area was largely undeveloped circa 1950. A railroad line was located across the street from the property, running along the Mississippi River. The residence appears to have been demolished when I-55 was constructed. The highway currently runs atop the property's former location.Census-shared
The 1940 U. S. Census recorded "Edward T. Davis" (age 53) as the head of his household at 3831 Maine Street in St. Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri, Ward 10. This house was different than the residence where they resided on April 1, 1935, but was in the same city. The household included wife Ora Davis (age 45), son Raymond Davis (age 21), and daughter Zelma Davis (age 16). All were born in Missouri. None had attended school since March 1, 1940. The highest level of education that Edward is recorded as having achieved is grade 7. Ora had no formal education. Raymond had achieved grade 7 and Zelma had achieved grade 8. The family lived in the same place as recorded in the 1930 census. Edward was employed as a warehouse foreman at a cordage mill. He had worked a full 52 weeks during 1939, earning a salary of $1,100, and had worked 32 hours during the week of March 24-30, 1940. Raymond and Zelma were employed during the week of March 24-13, 1940. Raymond was employed as a laborer at a cordage mill. He had worked a full 52 weeks during 1939, earning a salary of $728, and had worked 32 hours during the week of March 24-30, 1940. Zelma conducted general work at a household articles manufacturing company and had worked 40 hours during the week of March 24-30, 1940. She was not employed during 1939.Endnotes
1. The Davis Family Tree.
2. Monroe County Genealogy Society, Monroe County Cemetery Listings and Pictures, online database (http://monroe.illinoisgenweb.org/cemeteries.html : accessed 12 January 2014), s.v. "Ora M. Davis" and "Edward T. Davis," Palmier Cemetery, Columbia, Monroe, Illinois, image of gravemarker.
3. Missouri Marriage Records (Jefferson City, MO: Missouri State Archives, 1805-2002), online database, accessed through Ancestry.com and Archives.com, s.v. "Ora May Sharp," Carter, Missouri, 22 December 1911, "Application for License to Marry," page 365, http://search.ancestrylibrary.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?h=505442079&db=MOmarriages&indiv=try..
4. U. S. Bureau of the Census, 1900 United States Census (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900), electronic document, accessed through Ancestry.com, s.v. "Ora Sharp," Cane Creek, Butler, Missouri, roll 843, page 4B, enumeration district 14, FHL microfilm 1240843.
5. U. S. Social Security Administration, "United States Social Security Death Master File," online database (Alexandria, VA: National Technical Information Service), s.v., "Ora Davis," Findmypast.com, accessed February 2018.
6. U. S. Bureau of the Census, 1900 United States Census (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900), electronic document, accessed through Ancestry.com, s.v. "Ora Sharp," Cane Creek, Butler, Missouri, roll 843, page 4B, enumeration district 14, FHL microfilm 1240843.
7. U. S. Bureau of the Census, 1910 United States Census (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1910), electronic document, accessed through Ancestry.com, s.v. "Ora Sharp," Cane Creek, Butler, Missouri, roll T624_769, page 8B, enumeration district 0006, image 836, FHL microfilm 1374782.
8. Missouri Marriage Records (Jefferson City, MO: Missouri State Archives, 1805-2002), online database, accessed through Ancestry.com and Archives.com, s.v. "Ora May Sharp," Carter, Missouri, 22 December 1911, "Application for License to Marry," page 365, http://search.ancestrylibrary.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?h=505442079&db=MOmarriages&indiv=try..
9. Missouri Marriage Records (Jefferson City, MO: Missouri State Archives, 1805-2002), online database, accessed through Ancestry.com and Archives.com, s.v. "Ora May Sharp," Carter, Missouri, 22 December 1911, "Application for License to Marry," page 365, http://search.ancestrylibrary.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?h=505442079&db=MOmarriages&indiv=try..
10. The Davis Family Tree.
11. Missouri Marriage Records (Jefferson City, MO: Missouri State Archives, 1805-2002), online database, accessed through Ancestry.com and Archives.com, s.v. "Ora May Sharp," Butler, Missouri, 24 December 1911, "Marriage License," page 123.
12. Missouri Marriage Records (Jefferson City, MO: Missouri State Archives, 1805-2002), online database, accessed through Ancestry.com and Archives.com, s.v. "Ora May Sharp," Carter, Missouri, 22 December 1911, "Application for License to Marry," page 365..
13. U. S. Bureau of the Census, 1920 United States Census (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1920), electronic document, accessed through Ancestry.com, s.v. "Edward T. Davis," Johnson, Carter, Missouri; Roll T625_908, Page 6B, Enumeration District 14, Image 1038..
14. U. S. Bureau of the Census, 1920 United States Census (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1920), electronic document, accessed through Ancestry.com, s.v. "Edward T. Davis," Johnson, Carter, Missouri; Roll T625_908, Page 6B, Enumeration District 14, Image 1038..
15. U. S. Bureau of the Census, 1920 United States Census (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1920), electronic document, accessed through Ancestry.com, s.v. "Edward T. Davis," Johnson, Carter, Missouri; Roll T625_908, Page 6B, Enumeration District 14, Image 1038..
16. U. S. Bureau of the Census, 1930 United States Census (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930), electronic document, accessed through Ancestry.com, s.v. "Edward I Davis," Roll: 1230, Page: 1B, Enumeration District: 385, Image: 712.0; FHL microfilm: 2340965..
17. U. S. Bureau of the Census, 1930 United States Census (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930), electronic document, accessed through Ancestry.com, s.v. "Edward I Davis," Roll: 1230, Page: 1B, Enumeration District: 385, Image: 712.0; FHL microfilm: 2340965..
18. U. S. Bureau of the Census, 1930 United States Census (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930), electronic document, accessed through Ancestry.com, s.v. "Edward I Davis," Roll: 1230, Page: 1B, Enumeration District: 385, Image: 712.0; FHL microfilm: 2340965..
19. U. S. Bureau of the Census, 1940 United States Census (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940), electronic document, accessed through Ancestry.com, s.v. "Edward T Davis," St. Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri; Roll: T627_2190; Page: 5B; enumeration District: 96-229..
20. U. S. Bureau of the Census, 1940 United States Census (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940), electronic document, accessed through Ancestry.com, s.v. "Edward T Davis," St. Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri; Roll: T627_2190; Page: 5B; enumeration District: 96-229..
21. The Davis Family Tree.
22. Monroe County Genealogy Society, Monroe County Cemetery Listings and Pictures, online database (http://monroe.illinoisgenweb.org/cemeteries.html : accessed 12 January 2014), s.v. "Ora M. Davis" and "Edward T. Davis," Palmier Cemetery, Columbia, Monroe, Illinois, image of gravemarker.
23. U. S. Social Security Administration, "United States Social Security Death Master File," online database (Alexandria, VA: National Technical Information Service), s.v., "Ora Davis," Findmypast.com, accessed February 2018.
24. Monroe County Genealogy Society, Monroe County Cemetery Listings and Pictures, online database (http://monroe.illinoisgenweb.org/cemeteries.html : accessed 12 January 2014), s.v. "Ora M. Davis" and "Edward T. Davis," Palmier Cemetery, Columbia, Monroe, Illinois, image of gravemarker.
25. U. S. Social Security Administration, "United States Social Security Death Master File," online database (Alexandria, VA: National Technical Information Service), s.v., "Ora Davis," Findmypast.com, accessed February 2018.