Davidson, Archibald

DAVIDSON, MAJOR, EAKIN

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 10/7/2020 at 14:48:46

Archibald Davidson, section 7, Highland Township, is one of the prominent stock-raisers and farmers of Washington County. He was born March 13, 1837, in Venango County, Pa., and is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Major) Davidson. (Thomas Davidson is the subject of a sketch found on another page of this volume.)

The early life of our subject was spent upon the farm of his native State, and in attending the district schools. He remained with his parents until twenty-two years of age, or until the 29th of December, when he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Eakin, daughter of William and Maria Eakin, the father a native of Ireland and the mother of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have been the parents of five children, namely: Minnie J., a teacher; William P., a farmer, residing in Greeley County, Kan.; Edwin J., at home; Thomas O. and Stella M. They remained in Pennsylvania, living upon the farm which his father then owned until the fall of 1867, when they came to Iowa and settled in Jackson Township, where they resided one year, and then moved to section 7, Highland Township. Here Mr. Davidson has since lived, and owns a farm of 130 acres, 120 acres under a fine state of cultivation and ten acres of timber. He has held various township offices, and is now serving his second term as Justice of the Peace, to which office he was elected by the Democratic party. He is an outspoken temperance man, well versed in public affairs, and in his native State always took a lively part in political matters. Mr. Davidson and wife are earnest members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, giving both time and means to advance its interests.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of Archibald Davidson, page 519.