Davis Moulden’s great-great-grandfather, J.B. Davis, started burying people in 1855, about six years before Kansas became a state, which makes Davis Funeral Chapel the oldest business still operating in the state or, at the very least, one of the oldest.

photo by: Wichita Eagle

The old Odd Fellows Hall in Leavenworth has been the home to Davis Funeral Chapel since 1911. The top story of the building was removed after a tornado damaged the building.

photo by: Davis family | Wichita Eagle

James C. Davis served as mayor of Leavenworth and was known as "Big-Hearted Jim." Davis was one of the first instructors in Kansas of a class on embalming. He was also one of the first toh use a motor hearse in 1909.

photo by: Bo Rader | Wichita Eagle

Debbie and Davis Moulden and their daughter Hope continue their more than 150 years in the funeral business in Leavenworth. The family dog, Windsor, is a fixture at the funeral home and often joins in the funeral services.

photo by: Bo Rader | Wichita Eagle

Davis Moulden reflects on his days as and undertaker in Leavenworth. Moulden's namesake, J.B. Davis, started the business in 1855 shortly after arriving in Kansas Territory.

photo by: Davis family | Wichita Eagle

Davis Undertaking used a horse-drawn hearse years before motorized hearses came into use.

photo by: Davis family | Wichita Eagle

J.B. Davis (left in doorway) and his son Thaddeus (with hat) came from Crab Orchard, Ky., in 1855 to Kansas Territory. At the J.B. Davis & Company store on Delaware Avenue in Leavenworth, they sold coffins and burial robes.

photo by: Bo Rader | Wichita Eagle

The chapel at Davis Funeral Chapel in Leavenworth. The Davis family business has operated in Leavenworth since 1855, making it the oldest business in the state.