Conspicuous among the active and thriving business men of 
Clay City is Davis Taylor Cromwell, a well-known and prosperous farmer,
merchant and real estate dealer. A native of Clay county, Indiana, 
he was born August 18, 1846, in Washington township,a son of the late 
Owen Doyle Cromwell. He comes from distinguished ancestry, being a 
lineal descendant of Oliver Cromwell, the Protector.
    Oliver Cromwell had two sons, Richard and Henry. The latter
removed to Ireland, where his son Thomas Ireton, the next in line of
descent was born. Thomas I. Cromwell emigrated from Ireland to Amer-
ica and settled in Maryland, where his children were born and reared.
One of his sons, William Lewis, migrated from Maryland to Kentucky
when a young man, and there spent the remainder of his days. His son,
Nicholas G. Cromwell, the grandfather of Davis Taylor Cromwell, of
whom we write, was born, reared and educated in Kentucky. Coming
from there to Indiana in 1825, he became one of the first settlers of Clay
county. Taking up government land, he cleared and improved a good
farm, which he subsequently occupied until his death. He was a man of
strong individuality, prominent and influential in public affairs, and for
two terms served as associate circuit judge of Clay county.

    Born in Kentucky, Owen Doyle Cromwell was a lad of but nine
years when he came with his parents to this county. Reared among pio-
neer scenes, he began as soon as able to assist his father in the arduous
task of hewing a farm from the dense forest, remaining beneath the
parental roof-tree until his marriage, he then settled on a farm belonging
to his father—in—law, Mr. Risley, and met with such good success in its
management that he subsequently bought the place, and was there em-
ployed in general farming until his death, which occurred December 9,
1877. He married, in 1837, Huldah (Parsons) Risley, a daughter of Sam-
uel and Polly (Thomas) Risley. She was born in Knox county, Indiana,
March 24, 1817, and died in Clay county January 1, 1892. She reared
ten children, namely Samuel T., Polly Ann. Nicholas M., Ann M.,
Sarah C., David Taylor, Drusilla E., Huldah A.. John J. and James C.
One child, Charles 0., the ninth in order of birth, died at the age of
five years. On the maternal side of Mrs. Cromwell we find that David
Risley was of English descent and was a soldier in the Revolutionary
war, He was the father ot Judge Samuel Risley, who was associate
judge of Clay county for one term, and he was a soldier in the War of
1812,and was under the command of General William H. Harrison at
the battle of Tippecanoe, Indiana. Judge Samuel Risley was the father of
Huldah Parsons Risley, the mother of Davis Taylor Cromwell, and her
maternal grandfather was David Thomas, whose early progenitors were of
Welsh birth. David Thomas was the first white settler of Clay county,
and he was a son of Elisha Thomas who was also a soldier in the
Revolutionary war.
    A diligent scholar, fond of books from his youth up, Davis Taylor
Cromwell acquired a practical education in the public schools, and at
the age of twenty years embarked upon a professional career, for four-
teen terms, being eniployed as a teacher, serving first in Cass township,
and later in Washington, Jackson and Harrison townships. Then taking
upon himself the responsibilities of a married man he turned his attention
to both the teacher’s profession and agricultural pursuits, and in 1884
started a new business, becoming interested in mercantile pursuits. Since
that time he has been either a farmer, merchant or real estate dealer,
in his undertakings being reasonably prosperous. He was admitted to the
Indiana State Bar, under Judge Samuel M. McGregor, of the thirteenth
judicial district, January 9, 1889. In 1907 Mr. Cromwell was appointed
as superintendent of the John J. Baker gravel roads in the vicinity of
Clay City, and he faithfully tried to fulfill every detail of the contract
or specifications.
    On October 11, 1874, Mr. Cromwell married Rebecca A. Notter,
who was born in Jackson township, Indiana, September 18, 1857, a
daughter of David and Matilda (Murbarger) Notter. Mr. and Mrs.
Cromwell have seven children living, namely: May, born May 6,
1877; Elmina, born November 21, 1878; Robert Ingersoll, born Septem—
her 11, 1880; Beecher, born June 12, 1883; Victor Hugo, born April
8, 1885; Lucy Haves, born February 20, 1897; and Oliver, born March
9, 1899. Eunice, the oldest child, born August 31, 1875, died September
4, 1880, and Odena, born May 17, 1891, died October 7, 1894. Fra-
ternally Mr. Cromwell is a member and past noble grand of Martz Lodge,
No. 360. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and both be and Mrs.
Cromwell belong to Mutual Love Lodge, No. 221, Daughters of Rebekab.
He was a charter member of Clay City Lodge, No. 131, Knights of
Pythias, also the father and originator of Odon Lodge, No. 272, of
Daviess county, Indiana. He was also a charter member of the Good
Citizens League, of which be is now one of the vice presidents.