Davidson, William Henry 1853-1916

DAVIDSON, MCKINNEY, HUTSON, RISSE, MATTESON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 3/31/2013 at 14:51:43

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Sept. 19, 1916

WILLIAM HENRY DAVIDSON

William Henry Davidson was born in Lee county, Iowa, near Ft. Madison, on Aug. 1, 1853. While still a small boy he came with his parents to a farm near Brooklyn and grew to manhood in that neighborhood. His elementary school work was in connection with the schools of Brooklyn. He later attended the normal department of Iowa college in Grinnell and also the seminary conducted at Mitchellville. He taught school for a number of years in different schools over the county.

In 1883 he made a profession of his faith in Christ and united with the United Presbyterian church of Guernsey, Ia., where he retained his membership for about 25 years, and since leaving that community he has been a devoted worker in the Lord's cause wherever his lot has been cast.

On April 10, 1884, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret McKinney, whose home was near Victor, Ia. For two years they lived on a farm near Malcom and then bought a farm near Guernsey, where they remained until 1903, when they moved to Grinnell. They later moved to Derrick, N.D., the family arriving there five years ago Monday, Sept. 17.

For some years Mr. Davidson's health had been gradually failing, but only about a year ago he definitely gave up all active work and the family returned to Grinnell about the first of last December. On the 15th of last June he went to Pine Knoll hospital, near Davenport, hoping he might receive some benefit. There he passed away on Saturday evening, Sept. 16, 1916.

Nine children were born into this home, three of whom died in infancy and are buried in the Guernsey cemetery. Those remaining to mourn this loss are the widowed wife and mother, Mrs. Lily A. Hutson of Boone, Ia., Mrs. Mary A. Risse and Mrs. Mabel E. Matteson , both of Grinnell, and Miss Alice I., Horace M., and Miss Bessie R., who are still in the home. All these are present at the funeral except Horace, who is detained for the present, on the farm in North Dakota.

Mr. Davidson was a man noted for his upright character and Christian integrity. He always found great delight in the reading and study of God's word and in prayer. As a personal worker for our Master and the good of immortal souls he was devoted to the very last, urging the claims of Christ on his comrades in the hospital that they might be ready for the call that was so evidently coming to all of them.

"Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like His."--Numbers 23:10.

Funeral services were held today in Guernsey, Ia., conducted by Rev. W.R. Lawrence.