Robert H. Davidson

DAVIDSON, HAWKINS, CANADA, STOOTS, FISCUS, GILLETT, REASONER, KUNKLE, BAKER, GIVENS

Posted By: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs (email)
Date: 3/24/2009 at 17:09:25

ROBERT H. DAVIDSON, an early settler of Douglas Township, was born in Brooke County, West Virginia, August 22, 1820. He is a son of William and Sarah (Hawkins) Davidson, natives of the State of Pennsylvania. The father was a carpenter and farmer by occupation. His grandfather was Thomas Davidson. When Robert H. was ten years old his parents removed to Monroe County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood; he was reared to the life of a farmer, and obtained a limited education in the common schools. He remained under the shelter of the parental roof until his maturity, when he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Canada, who died, leaving one child William E., a resident of Ohio. Mr. Davidson was married a second time, to Maria J. Stoots, by whom he had five children Charles S., Nora C., the wife of Elisha Fiscus; Ida, wife of Henry Gillett, and two children who died in infancy. Mr. Davidson's present wife was Mrs. Lacy E. (Reasoner), widow of William Kunkle, of Guthrie County, Iowa; eight children were born of this marriage Vantura, wife of John C. Baker; Anna B., wife of Bert B. Givens; Calvin F.,Fred B., Joseph W., Milton H., Maud and Kittie Lulu. In the spring of 1857, when Iowa was considered to be the frontier, Mr. Davidson removed his family from Noble County, Ohio, to Guthrie County, Iowa; there he worked at the carpenter's trade, and cultivated his farm of 120 acres. Selling out his possessions in Guthrie County,he removed to southwestern Missouri, and remained there eighteen months; the climate of that latitude not agreeing with him he returned to Guthrie County, and resided there until 1873, when he came to Audubon County. He located upon his present farm, which is situated on the east fork of the west branch of the Nishnabotna River; the land is fertile, and there is a natural grove upon the place, which adds very materially to the value of the farm. Mr. Davidson devotes considerable attention to the feeding and raising of good grades of livestock, and has been very prosperous in this enterprise. In politics he is inclined to the principles of the Republican party. He has served his township as justice of the peace for fourteen years, the period of his service being indicative of the respect in which his judgment is held.

1889 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES, IOWA
W. S. DUNBAR & CO., PUBLISHERS
113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO

pages 822-823