20th Century History of New Castle and
Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens

JOHN W. DAVIDSON,*

[p. 990] a representative citizen and successful farmer of Big Beaver Township, resides on his valuable farm of 114 acres, which is situated not far from New Galilee. He was born in Big Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, April 7, 1854, and is a son of James and Sarah (Davidson) Davidson.

James Davidson was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, in 1823, and died in Lawrence County May 5, 1908. He lived at home until he married, engaged in farming and working also as a blacksmith. He built a blacksmith shop on the farm on which he settled when he married and conducted a blacksmith business for thirty years. He acquired considerable land, but its cultivation was mainly done by his sons. He was one of the township's leading citizens and was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. In 1849 he married Sarah Davidson, who still survives, residing on the homestead farm with her son, Robert J.

John W. Davidson was educated in the district schools and the Edinburg Normal School. He then visited California, where he was engaged in farming and mining for a period of three years. In 1879 he returned to Pennsylvania and on January 22, 1880, he was united in marriage with Nancy Wilkinson, who is a daughter of Amos and Mary (Fisher) Wilkinson. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have four children, namely: Cora; Harry; Edna, who married Alexander McKim and has one child—May; and Clarence.

Mr. Davidson has resided on his present farm since 1882. He bought the property from his father, who had purchased it from the McAnlis heirs. He carries on general farming and keeps eight cows for dairy purposes. In politics he is a Republican and he has served for six years as school director. He was one of the first stockholders in the First National Bank at Wampum, becoming a member of the board of directors in January, 1908.


20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908

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Updated: 14 Feb 2002