Davidson, R. P.

DAVIDSON, BUTLER, RAND, HENNESSY, AILLAUD, CAULFIELD, KRACHT, HARRE, CLARK, CONWELL, MILLER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/22/2009 at 12:29:11

Davidson, R. P.

Among the representative businessmen of Jasper County is R.P. Davidson, of Baxter, now an extensive dealer in farming implements, but who has spent the major part of his life in connection with agricultural pursuits, owning a fertile and valuable landed estate in Independence Township. He is carrying on his new line of business with that enterprise, discretion and fairness which are sure to find their sequel in definite success.

Mr. Davidson was born in Independence Township, this County, on October 15, 1877, and here he has been content to spend his life. He is the son of William and Eliza (Butler) Davidson. The father, born in Scotland, in March 1833, came to America when young and died in this Township, October 25, 1899. The mother was born in Cambridgeshire, England, August 15, 1833, and is now making her home with the subject of this sketch, in Baxter.

By a former marriage of the father, two children were born, James D. Davidson, of the State of Oregon, and a daughter, Jennie Aves, of State Center Township, Marshall County, Iowa. There were eleven children by a former marriage of Mrs. Davidson, as follows: William C. Butler died in California when twenty-two years of age; John D. died in Illinois when six years old; Alfred A. died July 17, 1874; Charlotte Ann Rand lives in Mitchell, South Dakota; Emma Caroline died in infancy; Matilda Belle Hennessy lives in Oklahoma; Rosetta died when sixteen years old; George Charles Butler lives in Independence Township, this County; John J. died when nine years old; Catherine Jemima Aillaud, born in May 1869, lives in Newton, Iowa; Carrie Caulfield, born September 13, 1871, lives in Baxter, Iowa. The subject of this sketch was the only child by the marriage with Mr. Davidson.

R. P. Davidson was married on June 20, 1900, to Mary Kracht, who was born in Independence Township, this County, April 1, 1878. Conrad Kracht, her father, was born in Germany in 1850. Her mother, Emma Harre, was born in Wisconsin July 30, 1858; both these parents reside in Baxter. The father immigrated to the United States when young and he became well established in the new world through his industry and good management. His family consisted of two sons and six daughters, namely: Mary, wife of Mr.

Davidson, William H., born November 21, 1881, is living on the home farm in Independence Township; Pauline A. Clark, born August 21, 1883, lives in Marshalltown. Iowa; Amanda S. Conwell, born June 3, 1885, lives in Independence Township; Helen L., born March 24, 1887, lives in Marshalltown; Lydia H. Miller, born December 18, 1889, lives in Independence Township: Ella F., born May 6, 1893; Edwin C. is attending school at Baxter. Lydia H., was graduated from the high school at Baxter with the class of 1909 and Ella with the class of 1911.

Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have one daughter, Pearl, whose birth occurred on March 14, 1902; one son has also been born to them, Oscar, whose date of birth is recorded as September 24, 1905. They were both born on the farm on which their father first saw the light of day, in Independence Township.

The Davidsons have been well known in this Township from pioneer times, the parents of the subject having been among the early settlers here.

The son, R. P., attended the local schools and worked on the home farm when a boy, in fact he has always been engaged in farming pursuits up to 1907, when he moved to Baxter, where he has a pleasant home, but he is still the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of Independence Township's best land, which he has kept well improved and well tilled. In March 1911, he purchased an implement business in Baxter and, under the firm name of Davidson & Earley, conducts a general agricultural machinery business which is rapidly growing and in which they are very successful, carrying a large, complete, modern and carefully selected stock and their patrons come from all parts of the County and from the southern part of Marshall County.

Politically, Mr. Davidson is a Republican, and is at present a member of the school board at Baxter. He is a member of Baxter Camp No. 5642, Modern Woodmen of America, of Baxter. Mrs. Davidson is a member of the Congregational Church at Baxter. They have made a host of warm personal friends since moving here. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1223.