Mark Davison 1815-1897

DAVISON, LINTON, MCCULLOUGH, BROWN, JOINER, MONTGOMERY

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 3/28/2024 at 13:22:56

The Wapello Republic, Wapello, Iowa
Thursday, December 9, 1897
Page 5

In the death of Mark Davison, which occurred Friday, Dec. 3, Wapello loses on of its oldest and best citizens. Nearly eighty-three summers had passed over his head yet he possessed the strength and vitality with a clear mind to transact his large business interests till he was compelled to take to his bed. In the 57 years of his life in this township he has witnessed the development and growth of the county and has aided largely in its progress and civilization.

In business he was a very successful and his accumulations were the fruits of honest labor and great business sagacity. He was a plain, unpretending man, upright and honorable in all his ways and was highly respected by those who knew him. Mr. Davison has a faculty of making money. Not by cheating his fellow man but by hones industry and hard work. He gradually increased his holdings in farm land until at the time of death he possessed something over 3,000 acres. He always kept a good deal of stock on these lands.

The funeral services were held in the held in the Methodist church, of which he was a member, in this city Sunday at 10:30 a. m., conducted by his pastor, Rev. T. S. Pool after which the funeral cortege wended its way to Bethel church, where short services were held and all that was mortal consigned to mother earth in the little graveyard near by.

Deceased was born near Hull, Yorkshire, England, on May 7th, 1815. He was the son of Geo. and Susanna Gillings Davison, who were also natives of England. The family emigrated to America in the year 1818 and settled in Washington county, Pa., where deceased grew to manhood. He was united in marriage in Washington co. Pa., November 22d, 1838, with Miss Eliza Linton, a native of that county. Seven children were born of this union, three of whom are now living as follows: Hiram B., Mrs. J. B. McCullough and John Austin. The mother died February 8, 1855, at the age of 37 years, 5 months and 4 days.

Mr. Davison was again married on January 3, 1856 to Miss Nancy Brown, who died, November 20, 1858. He subsequently married Elizabeth Ann Joiner, in September, 1895, of which union was born the other surviving child, Joiner. Mrs. Davison died October 14, 1865.

On February 26th, 1873, deceased was again joined in marriage with Elizabeth A. Montgomery who crossed the dark river of death, Nov. 25th, 1894.

Mr. Davison removed from Pennsylvania to Iowa in 1840 and settled on the southern part of Wapello township where he bought a farm and engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1848 he removed to Wapello and engaged in selling general merchandise. He continued in that business until 1869 when he sold out to his son, H. B. and opened a private bank which he has since continuously run, with the assistance of his son Joiner up to the time of his death.