George W. Davidson 1818-1910

DAVIDSON, TOMPKINS, PERVIANCE, WILLBURN, WILSON, BABER, COLTLER, BRATTAN, BAILEY, FERGUSON, CHARLTON, HALE

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 8/16/2002 at 19:05:49

DEATH OF A PIONEER
Demise of Probably Earliest Settler

Mr. George W. Davidson of Farmington township, a pioneer resident of this county, died Friday, aged 91 years. Mr. Davidson was born in Georgetown, Ohio, Dec. 18, 1818. He came with his parents to Van Buren county in July, 1836. He had long ranked as the earliest living settler in Van Buren county, Messrs. Willburn and W.C. Wilson and their sister, Mrs. Baber, of Bonaparte coming to the county in August of that year.

Mr. Davidson’s father, John Davidsons, was a member of the first constitutional convention, which convened at Iowa City Oct. 7, 1844, the other members from this county being Elisha Coltler, Jr., Paul Brattan, Gideon S. Bailey, David Ferguson, Thos. Charlton and John Hale Jr.

In his youth Mr. Davidson was a schoolmate of General Grant in the village school at Georgetown. Mr. Davidson’s first wife was Miss Hannah Tompkins, a relative of Gov. Tompkins of New York, by whom their were seven children. His last wife was Miss Nancy Perviance of Bonaparte.

Mr. Davidson was a republican up to 1872, after which time he acted with the democratic party. He was a thoroughly upright, honorable man and good citizen. The funeral was held Sunday.

[handwritten on article is “May 6 – 10”]

Source: Entler Scrapbook, vol. 5, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA