Mary Jane Russell Davis

Born May 11, 1856; Died May 22, 1922

Picture taken at the time of her marriage to John Yawger Davis - May 16, 1875 (Age 19)

John Yawger Davis first met Mary Jane Russell at his Uncle John Yawger’s farm north of Port Byron, where she was visiting her Aunt Ellen who was Uncle John’s wife.  It was love at first sight and they were married on May 26, 1875.  He brought her home to Cherry Hill Farm northwest of Auburn for the rest of the family had moved to Auburn in a house on Seymour St.  John's father Llewellyn died in 1870 and John gave up his course in Cornell to take over Cherry Hill Farm.  His 19 year old, city bred, child wife somehow adapted to what was still almost pioneer life, but efore the next six years were over she had brought Charlie, Susie, Eliza and Jessie into the world.

Cherry Hill Farm is at the end of a long lane leading east from the main road NW of Auburn.  In the summer of 1882 when Jessie was still an infant, the family moved to Maplebrook Farm, two and a half miles northeast of Union Springs.  The other six  children were born there.

Later picture of Mary Jane Russell Davis

Mary's parents were Peter Russell (October 3, 1818 to July 7, 1906) and Susan A. Snyder (August 16, 1919 to September 1, 1887).  Below is a picture taken in 1901 of Peter Russell.