Rufus R. Davis was born May 16, 1882 at Huron, South Dakota, son of Mr. and Mrs. Willis H. Davis, Sr., who homesteaded in Spink County, South Dakota in 1882.

Rufus R. Davis and Catherine Hazel Hennessy were married August 18, 1917. Catherine Hazel Hennessy was born March 5, 1891 in West Superior, Wisconsin, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Hennessy. In the 1890's Mr. Hennessy was an editor of the St. Paul Globe, predecessor to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Mrs. Davis died September 18, 1969. Mr. Davis was a salesman in Valley City for a paint company; he headquartered in Valley City for thirty-five years until his death January 1, 1954.

The children are: James W. Davis born August 1, 1920 in Valley City, North Dakota, and now Dr. James W. Davis is a member of the faculty at Western Washington State College, Bellingham, Washington. Mary Ruth Davis, born November 13, 1925 in Valley City, North Dakota, now of New York City, New York.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 55