Joseph Noah Davis's biography is from "Who's Who in Tennessee - A Biographical Reference of Notable Tennesseans of Today," published by Paul Douglas Company, Memphis, Tennessee, 1911. The entry says, "Davis, Joseph N., farmer; born Lawrence Co., Tenn., March 6, 1845; English descent; son of David H. and Matilda Wakefield Davis; father; minister of the gospel; paternal grandparents, William and Elizabeth Matison Davis; maternal grandparents, Abel and Katie Stuckey Wakefield; educated Hardin Co., Tenn.; entered farming early in life, served in USA 1863-65, also in Spanish-American War, 1898; married Nancy Copeland, Jan. 16, 1867; member Farmers' Educational and Co-operative Union of America; member of Missionary Baptist church; engaged in farming and mercantile business at Waynesboro, Tenn."

During the Civil War he was in 2nd Regiment, Tennessee Mounted Infantry, Co. B.

He married Nancy Copeland on 16 Jan 1867 in Wayne Co., Tn. Their eleven children were:
- Elihu G.
- Joseph James Harrison
- Camilla Ellender
- Thomas Riley
- Alice Rebecca
- John Franklin "Frank"
- Harvey Wade (unmarried)
- Matilda Elizabeth "Lizzie" (unmarried)
- Mary Belle
- Walter Wakefield
- Ella (died as infant)

Joseph Noah Davis can be found in the following US Federal Census records:
- 1850 for Lawrence Co., Tn with his parents and four siblings
- 1860 for Hardin Co., Tn with his parents and three siblings
- 1870 for Wayne Co., Tn with his spouse and one son, occupation farmer
- 1880 for Wayne Co., Tn with his spouse and five children, occupation farmer
- 1890 Veterans Schedules for Wayne Co., Tn listed as sergeant
- 1900 for Wayne Co., Tn with his spouse and seven children, occupation farmer
- 1910 for Wayne Co., Tn with two daughters, two sons, and two granddaughters, occupation farmer
- 1920 for Lawrenceburg, Lawrence, Tn with his daughter Camilla Davis Sims and her family, his daughter, Lizzie, listed as widower, occupation farm laborer

In the book by Almon J. Sims, "The Pariss Sims Family and Related Families 1765-1965," the author states, "J. N. Davis, a large land owner in the Indian Creek valley, was a progressive and prosperous farmer and breeder of fine cattle, horses, and mules. He was a Federal soldier in the Civil War, a Republican and a deacon and leader in the Baptist Church for more than 50 years. He gave the land, part of his farm, on which Memorial Baptist Church was built. The Davis graveyard, where he and most of his family are buried is nearby. He had 13 grandsons...."

His Lawrenceburg obituary reads: "J.N. (Bud) Davis died suddenly Friday afternoon about 4:30 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. M. J. Sims. He was out in the yard and complained of a hurting in his chest and went into the house and laid down on the bed and was dead in a few minutes. Thus ended a life of one of the best known men in Wayne county as well as adjoining counties. Mr. Davis was nearly 76 years old and a widower, his wife having proceeded him to the grave some 14 years ago. He was a deacon in the Baptist Church, of which he had been a member for 40 years or more. Mr. Davis had the distinction of being a member of the executive board that sent a missionary here, who was instrumental in starting the organization of the present Baptist Church of Lawrenceburg...Mr. Davis' body was taken back to the family burying ground on Indian Creek in Wayne county for burial...His brother G.W. Davis lives in Lawrenceburg and has several sons here and in this county also. The family will miss his wise counsel and sweet Christian sport, but he has only gone to the reward he so richly deserved and has left a record that will live through the years..."

And from another newspaper source found in the journal of his grandson, A.J. Sims, "The body was then taken to the old home in Wayne County, and laid to rest in the Davis family graveyard, in the presence of a large concourse of his old friends and neighbors. His long life was a splendid example of all that is true and finest in Christian living, and he will long and affectionately be remembered by the who knew him best."

- compiled by Gaynelle Hobt Morton
- revised Nov., 2017
- revised May, 2019