Davisson, Howard C.

DAVISSON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 14:25:26

HOWARD C. DAVISSON
born Oct 8, 1863, VA

Howard C. Davisson, a farmer of Warren county, was born in Virginia, October 8, 1863, a son of Josiah M. and Anna (Read) Davisson. Howard is one of four living children, namely: Harriet, wife of William Lawrence of Norwalk; Granville G., of Des Moines ; and Jesse B., also of that city. Josiah M., the father, was born in Indiana in 1818. In early life he located in Virginia, was married there, and his children were born there. For a number of years he served as Postmaster in West Virginia. A strong Union man, and having a thorough knowledge of that region of country, he was of great service to the Union cause in guiding the army on many occasions. A large part of his farm was used as a camp ground and hospital for about three years of the war. Under those existing conditions, Mr. Davisson found it impossible to support his family on the farm, and accordingly, near the close of the struggle, he gave up the attempt and came West, purchasing the old John Smith farm on section 36, Jefferson township, Warren county, Iowa. There the remainder of his life was spent. He was a man of strong convictions, well informed and progressive. In political matters, he was a strong Republican, and in religion was an earnest adherent of the Methodist Church. His death occurred in May, 1893, at the age of seventy-five years. Ann (Read) Davisson, his wife, was a native of Virginia and a member of an old and prominent family in that State. He was a large slave-owner, but gave them their freedom at the opening of the opening of the war. His death occurred in middle life, and his wife departed this life at the age of eighty-four years. Mrs. Davisson died in 1892, at the age of seventy-two years. Howard C. Davisson, the subject of this sketch, was but an infant when the family left West Virginia for Iowa, and since that time Jefferson township has been his home. In his boyhood days he attended the district school and was afterward a student at Indianola College. He remained at home and assisted in the care of his father's family until twenty-three years of age, when he practically started out in life for himself. He engaged in farming on the same section as the family homestead, where he still lives, an enterprising ambitious young man. Earnest and aggressive, he has met with marked success in his chosen occupation. Mr. Davisson erected a commodious and modern home upon his place and recently built a fine barn which is an ornament to this region. Upon his farm of 225 acres he has two windmills and first class facilities for carrying on farming and stockraising. He keeps from fifty to seventy- five head of cattle and about 100 head of hogs. A firm believer in the improvement of stock, he has raised some very fine road horses on the farm. In his social relations, Mr. Davisson is a member of Indianola Lodge, No 70., and of Three Rivers Lodge, No. 94, A.O.U.W. Politically, he is a Republican of pronounced views, always interested and active in seeing his township properly represented. Mr. Davisson was married June 16, 1887, to Carrie B. Crow, a native of Indianola and a daughter of William and Sarah (Kelly) Crow, natives respectively of Kentucky and Indiana, but now residents of Norwalk, Iowa. Mrs. Davisson was one of seven children, five now living. Our subject and wife have three children - Boyd Harlan, Earl H., and Etha May. Source: A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1896, vol.1, p.264