Davidson, Thomas

DAVIDSON, BLACK, MAJOR, SHORTS

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 10/7/2020 at 14:52:32

Thomas Davidson, farmer, residing on section 7, Highland Township, was born May 19, 1813, in Venango County, Pa., and is the son of Archibald and Jane (Black) Davidson. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, while the mother was a native of Ireland, but emigrated to America with her parents when a child. Archibald Davidson and wife were the parents of three children – Jane and Patrick, both deceased, and the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Davidson died when Thomas was but two years of age. She was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Davidson was again married, Miss Margaret McDowell becoming his wife. She was a native of Pennsylvania. By this union five children were born, and of that number four are yet living: Martha, the widow of Daniel Williams, is now a resident of Clintonville, Pa.; Mary is the wife of William Riddle, a farmer in Venango County, Pa.; Margaret is the wife of Janes Scott, a resident of Venango County, Pa.; John, a farmer, in Taylor County, Iowa. The father died about the year 1856, at the old home in Venango County, Pa., aged seventy-three years. He was a very charitable and religious man, always gave of his means to all benevolent objects, and trained his children in the ways of righteousness. His children have all remembered their early instruction, and now walk in the light of the redeemed.

Our subject spent his early life upon the farm with his father, and received his education in the subscription schools of his native State. At the age of twenty-three, June 23, 1836, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Major, who was also a native of Venango County, Pa., born April 21, 1816, and the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Shorts) Major, who were both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Major were the parents of nine children, and of that number only two are now living – Mrs. Davidson, and Margaret, the wife of William Arnold, of Meigs County, Ohio. The parents died about the year 1845, the father at the age of sixty-two and the mother sixty-one. They were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and were well and favorably known for their good works.

Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have been the parents of nine children: Archibald, a farmer in this township; Lizzie, wife of J.T. Walker, a farmer in Greeley County, Kan.; Jane, deceased, who was the wife of Jesse Fordice; J.M. was killed by a tornado that swept away his residence; the spot where he was killed is now marked by a beautiful tree. Sarah is the wife of William Owen, a resident of Louisa County, Iowa; Mary is the wife of Samuel Anderson, a farmer of Highland Township; Tilda is the wife of Loran Housel, a resident of Norton County, Kan.; Franklin P, is a stock-dealer in Riverside, this county; one died in infancy. Mr. Davidson made his home on the old farm in Venango County, Pa., until 1864, when he decided to come West, and having a good chance to sell out during the oil excitement in Pennsylvania, made a trip to Washington County, arriving on the 10th of October of that year. He at once purchased 160 acres of land on section 7, Highland Township, where he has since made his home. The farm is in a good state of cultivation, with all necessary out-buildings for the management of a general farm.
Thomas Davidson has always taken an active part in local politics until within the last few years, but owing to his declining health and advancing age is not able to do as much as he would desire. He formerly cast his vote with the Democratic party, but lately, not liking their views on the temperance question, has become a Prohibitionist, and now takes great interest in all movements to advance the cause of temperance. June 23, 1886, Mr. and Mrs. Davidson celebrated their golden wedding. Seven of their children, with twenty-eight grandchildren, were at the old home to gladden their hearts of the aged couple, and many of their neighbors assembled with them, and all partook of a bounteous repast spread under the trees. They were the recipients of several valuable presents, testifying to the love and appreciation of children and friends. This couple should be an example to the coming generation. Both Mr. Davidson and his wife have been members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for over forty years, and their house has always been the ministers’ home.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of Thomas Davidson, pages 566-567.