Davidson, Robert

DAVIDSON, JAMISON, MCVAY, YOUNG, JENKINS, DITTMAR

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 12/4/2008 at 07:01:43

DAVIDSON, Robert
Farmer and proprietor of Davidson's Coal Banks; Sec. 16; P. O. Newton; born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1836; emigrated to America in 1854, and to Jasper CO. in 1864; has 130 acres of land, valued at $65 per acre. Married Anna McVEAY in 1855; she was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1836; they have five children-Maggie, John, Thomas, Ellen and James. Greenbacker; Mr. and Mrs. D. are members of the Episcopal Church. He is a member of the A., F. & A. M. Lodge, No. 59, Newton, Chapter and Commandery. ~ "Palo Alto Township Biographies," The History of Jasper County, Iowa, (Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1878)
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Robert Davidson, a popular resident of Palo Alto Township, Jasper County, was born in the North of Ireland, November 4, 1836, being the son of George and Jennie (Jamison) Davidson. His father was a native of the island of Jamaica, and throughout his entire life was engaged in sea-faring pursuits. At the age of five years Robert went to Scotland, where he grew to a sturdy manhood. Early orphaned by his father's death, he was obliged to become self-supporting, and had none of the advantages or pleasures now enjoyed by the young.

When about seventeen years or age, Mr. Davidson determined to immigrate to America, and accordingly, taking passage at Glasgow, he proceeded to Liverpool, and there boarded the steamer "City of Manchester." After an uneventful voyage of sixteen days he landed in Philadelphia, from which city he proceeded to Ohio, and for a number of years engaged in mining for coal in Mahoning County. In 1864 he came to Jasper County, Iowa, and has here been extensively engaged in coal mining and farming.

On the 26th of November 1855, Mr. Davidson and Miss Annie McVay were united in marriage. Mrs. Davidson was born in the North of Ireland October 3, 1836, and is a daughter of Daniel and Margaret (Young) McVay, also natives of the North of Ireland, and descendant of Scotch ancestry. In 1854, in company with her mother and other members of the family, Mrs. Davidson immigrated to the United States, taking passage at Liverpool in a sailing-vessel, and after a voyage of four weeks landing in the city of New York. The family settled in Mahoning County, Ohio, where Mrs. McVay died in May 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson are the parents of eight children, five of whom are living, viz.: Margaret, who is the wife of Daniel Jenkins; John, who married Miss Wilhelmina Dittmar; Ella, Thomas A. and James M.

The farm owned and operated by Mr. Davidson consists of one hundred and seventy-five acres. He has made a success of life in every sense of the word, and by judicious investments and careful management has acquired a valuable property. His record in all the relations of life, and in the duties devolving upon him as an honorable man and loyal citizen, is the highest. In his political belief he binds himself to no organization, preferring to cast his ballot in support of the best men and the best principles, irrespective of political ties. In his social affiliations he is identified with the Masonic order at Newton.

There is in the development of every successful life a principle, which is a lesson to every man a lesson, which leads to higher and more honorable positions than the ordinary. Let a man be industrious, ambitious and honorable in his aspirations, and he will rise, whether having the prestige of family or the obscurity of poverty. Such has proved to be the case in the career of Mr. Davidson. He had in youth no advantages whatever, but, notwithstanding adverse circumstances, he has achieved success, and is now numbered among the most active and progressive of the citizens of Jasper County. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 436.