John Davidson 1846-1898

DAVIDSON, MARTZ

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 7/16/2018 at 14:03:38

20 October 1898 - West Branch Times

At last the long agony is over, the period of weary waiting and suspense ended. The heart that throbbed hopefully for the future, the courage that sustained through pain and suffering has ceased to be.

John Davidson was born in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, Apr 28, 1846. Here his early life was spent and until the breaking out of the civil war when feeling the throes of patriotism he responded to his country's call. He enlisted in Company 11 of Reg. 110 Pennsylvania Volunteers. In 1865 he was mustered out as veteran, receiving honorable discharge. The same year he came to West, settling in Rock Island, where on Sept. 9, 1874, he was united in marriage with Miss Lucida E. Martz who with their six children survives to mourn him.

He died Oct. 12, 1898 in the 53rd year of his age. Deceased was a kind husband and father and a useful citizen. His death brought a more than usual feeling of sadness throughout the community because of the pecular circumstances of it. While pursuing his calling that of a carpenter he fell from the top of a high building some four months since and though picked in a crushed and maimed condition, it was thought there was hope for recovery. Since that time he has fought courageously the battle for life, bearing its ills and discomforts bravely until resistance was of no further avail. His own efforts, the skill of medical attendance and the kind offices of love and friendship were as not, to the demands of the Grim Messenger. The funeral services were conducted at the Friends church and was largely attended. Friend Lawrie Tatum officiated, preaching an excellent and impressive sermon from the text "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved." Pa.44. Mr. Davidson was not connected with any church organization but was a believer, and his friends have the hope that in passing the dark shadows he has emerged into the light. The interment was in the cemetery north of town.