John Nash DAVIS (1871-1937)

JOHN NASH DAVIS, agriculturist and grazier, "High Grove," Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, is the second son of the late Mr. John Davis, of Gloucestershire, England, where the gentleman under review was born in December, 1871. He received his education at a public school in that city, and, upon the termination of his studies, was apprenticed to the paper-making industry. After serving his term, he entered the engineering trade, and upon the completion of his indentures proceeded to the United States of America, where he followed the profession of engineer for some twelve years. During this time Mr. Davis represented several large machinery companies very successfully. He then returned to England, where he succeeded his father in a hotel-keeping business, formerly conducted by that gentleman, and carried this on for two years. In 1901 Mr. Davis was attracted to Kangaroo Island, where his aunt, Mrs. Ellen Price, has resided for many years. This lady embarked for South Australia in 1866 by the sailing vessel "Gosforth," and landed at the island. After a short sojourn there, she removed to the Roseworthy district, on the mainland, for a few years, eventually returning to the island, where she owned 3,000 acres of land, a portion of which had been applied to farming purposes. Upon the arrival of Mr. Davis, he immediately took over the management of this property, which he has since increased by a further 1,000 acres, which he purchased in his own right.Considerable success has attended his operations, and he is very generally recognized as an up-to-date agriculturist. He formerly owned a flock of about 700 sheep, which number has since been slightly reduced on account of increased attention being given to agriculture; and he also grazes 100 head of cattle. The homestead is picturesquely situated, having on its eastern boundary the Bay of Shoals, where easy facility is obtained for shipping stock and other products of the farms; on the west, the range of Gap Hill and Retter Bluff; and on the north, Point Marsden. A portion of the land is still densely covered with rnallee-scrub, which is being gradually cleared, year by year, it being Mr. Davis' intention to extend his grazing-area in a very large degree. He takes a keen interest in local affairs, and for, the past two years has occupied a seat in the Kingscote District Council.

- Cyclopedia of South Australia 1909, pp.1005-1006