Mark H. Davidson, one of the active and progressive farmers, stock raisers and feeders of Fremont township, owns and operates a neat and well improved place of four hundred acres on section 33. This farm has remained his home from his birth to the present time, his natal day being December 26, 1866.
His father, James Davidson, a native of County Monahan, Ireland, was born February 10, 1829, and was brought to the new world by his parents, the family home being established in Connecticut. In that state he grew to manhood and then came west to Cedar county, Iowa, here entering and improving a tract of land. As his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase until it embraced four hundred acres. Later he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Red Oak township and the same amount in Dayton township and also had fifteen acres of timber land, owning at the time of his death seven hundred and thirty-five acres of valuable land in this county. In 1881 he erected on his home farm a commodious and attractive brick residence, three large barns, a granary and in fact all necessary buildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He likewise planted fruit, evergreen and shade trees and laid out a nice lawn. In connection with the tilling of the soil he also devoted considerable attention to the raising and feeding of stock and met with success in both branches of his business, becoming widely recognized as one of the substantial and representative citizens of the community.
After putting aside the active work of the fields James Davidson removed to Stanwood and there spent his remaining days in honorable retirement, passing away in Stanwood, December 23, 1900. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Ann Collins, was likewise born in Ireland, September 22, 1830, and came to the United States as a child. Her father, John Collins, first took up his abode in Connecticut but later settled in this county. Mrs. Davidson still survives her husband and resides in Stanwood. She is the mother of five children: Elizabeth, who died in 1876; Mary, who died in 1896; Stephen M., who is engaged in merchandising in Stanwood; Mark H., of this review; and Rev. Walter C., a minister of the United Presbyterian church, who is now living in Emporia, Kansas.
Mark H. Davidson was reared under the parental roof and attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education. After his father’s demise he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old family homestead and the property has since remained in his possession. He cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and is likewise engaged in the live-stock business, raising, feeding and fattening from four to five carloads of Duroc Jersey hogs annually. He ships his own stock and each winter feeds one or two carloads of sheep which he buys in the west. Alert, energetic and enterprising, he has won prosperity in his undertakings and has gained an extensive acquaintance throughout Cedar, Johnson, Jones and adjoining counties. He is a stockholder and director of the Stanwood Bank.
On the 23rd of December, 1896, in Stanwood, Mr. Davidson was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E. Hoyman, who was born, reared and educated in this county and followed the profession of teaching here for a few years. Her father, Henry S. Hoyman, was one of the early settlers of Cedar county. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson are the parents of four children: Miriam, William H., Caroline and James M.
In politics Mr. Davidson is independent, voting for men and measures rather than party. He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never cared for office. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Presbyterian church at Stanwood. Both he and his wife have always lived in this county and are highly esteemed as people of genuine personal worth, the circle of their friends being almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintances.
