First Lieutenant James Lemuel Davis
United States Army, World War I
May 20, 2024 - James Lemuel, who would become known as “Lem” to all who knew him, was a Christmas baby born Tuesday, December 22, 1891, in Panola County, Texas, to Amanda Josephine “Josie” Parrish and Andrew Tate Davis, Jr. He had four older brothers, Alex Edward, Marvin, Otto, Washington “Wash” and two younger brothers, Andrew “Andy” and Noble. His father was a farmer and tragically died as Lem was approaching his tenth birthday. Widowed and with three sons still living with her, Josie moved to Tenaha in Shelby County and established a residence on College Street.
The United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, and entered the World War that had been raging in Europe since 1914. Immediately thereafter, eight camps were established in the U.S. to train officers for combat leadership. The first was at Leon Springs, Texas, and on May 8, 1917, three thousand volunteers assembled at Camp Funston on the Schasse Ranch (now a part of Camp Bullis near this site) for training in various branches of the army. They endured three months of intense training, and 1,846 young men graduated as Second Lieutenants on August 15, 1917. James Lemuel Davis was one of them, along with five other Shelby County boys: George Peddy, Louis Johnston, Albert Swinebroad, Norfleet Armstrong, and John Henry Davis.
The Houston Post newspaper, September 2, 1917, Sunday page 13, reported, “Lieutenant J. Lem Davis and Miss Virginia Bouland were married here [Tenaha] Thursday night [August 24] with the Rev. R. E. Boss officiating. Lieutenant Davis is just home from Camp Funston and will leave soon for San Antonio [Camp Travis] to take up his commission. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Bouland and has the honor of being the first war bride here.”
Lieutenant Davis’ military record (Form no. 84c-a A.G.O. Mar. 17, 1921) shows one organizational assignment to the 353rd Infantry Regiment to discharge with principal stations at Camp Travis, Texas, Camp Bowie, Texas, Camp Grant, Illinois and Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina. The 353rd was part of the 89th Division that deployed to France in June and July of 1918, but his service record shows no overseas service. He was promoted to First Lieutenant effective September 16, 1918. Lem was honorably discharged on January 7, 1919, two months following the war's end. He was awarded the World War I Victory Medal for his seventeen months of military service.
After the war, Lem and Virginia bought a home at 43 College Street in Tenaha and became partners in a general merchandise dry goods store named Bouland, Kyle, and later Bouland and Davis. On April 27, 1942, he registered for the World War II draft at the age of 50, and although not called to service, he saw a second world war come and go in his lifetime.
After suffering from a heart ailment for several years, Lem died at his residence on October 17, 1956, at the age of 64. The Shreveport News Journal, October 19, 1956, reported, “Final rites were held at 4 p.m. Thursday [October 18] for James Lemuel Davis, retired Tenaha businessman who died Wednesday. The services were conducted in the First Baptist Church of Tenaha with the Rev. James R. Edwards, pastor, officiating. Burial was in the Old Cemetery [Tenaha City Cemetery] at Tenaha. He has been active in the upbuilding of the town in which he made his home. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and with his wife was prominent in the social and civic life of the town. Mr. Davis is survived by his widow, Mrs. Nancy Virginia Davis, one son, James and three grandchildren all of Tenaha. Also three brothers, Nobel Davis of Henderson, Otto Davis of Bryan and Wash Davis of Orange.” Day is done, God is nigh.
SOURCES:
(1): Year: 1910; Census Place: Tenaha, Shelby, Texas; Roll: T624_1588; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 0152; FHL microfilm: 1375601
(2): https://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/Details/5029011744/print
(3): "Texas, World War I Records, 1917-1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L966-F6PB?cc=2202707&wc=334P-RM9%3A1560656102%2C1560657101 : 26 March 2015), Army, enlisted officer or warrant officer > Brucks, Ernest William-Dickie, George D, 1917-1920 > image 2897 of 3378; Texas Military Forces Museum, Austin.
(4): Year: 1940; Census Place: Tenaha, Shelby, Texas; Roll: m-t0627-04136; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 210-15
(5): The National Archives At St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War Ii Draft Cards (4th Registration) For the State of Texas; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147
