Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 492 - 493 

JOHN DAVIDSON, a resident of Wichita, is a well-known business man of Sedgwick County, where he carries on a large lumber business. Mr. Davidson is a Scotchman by  birth and descent; he was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, Nov. 30, 1839, and is the son of John and Agnes (Wilson) Davidson, natives of Scotland. While living in Scotland the father was a traveling man. He and his wife came to America in 1882, and now make their home in Wichita. They have only two sons now living—John and William.

            John Davidson, of this sketch, remained at home until thirteen years of age, receiving his education in the meantime in the common schools. He then went to learn the carpenter's trade and served an apprenticeship of four and one-half years. He continued to ply his trade the three following years as a journeyman. We next hear of him in London, where he had turned his attention to ship-building, and was so engaged for five years. He was a good worker and was ambitious to get on in the world, so he decided to try his fortunes in America. Accordingly in 1867 he crossed the seas to this country. Being a skillful carpenter he soon found employment. His first work in this country was on the asylum in Newburg, Ohio, where he remained for two months. From there he came to Leavenworth, Kan., and was for seven months employed in the building business. After that he was employed in Topeka on the State Capitol, continuing to work there for a year.

            On the 25th of January, 1870, Mr. Davidson came to Wichita and took up a tract of 160 acres of land, four and one-half miles from the city. and there improved a farm. In the same year he established himself in the city as a contractor and lumber merchant. He continued as a contractor for seven years, but since then confined himself mostly to the lumber business. He has greatly increased his business and has been very successful financially. He established the pioneer lumberyard of the city. He has besides two other lumberyards, one in Springfield, Mo., and one in Aurora, Mo. He is a Director and stockholder of the Wichita National Bank, and a stockholder in the savings bank. By his shrewd business ability and fair dealings, our subject has won an assured and influential position among his fellow-citizens.

            Since becoming a resident of Wichita Mr. Davidson has taken unto himself a wife, and to her owes it that their home at 210 North Market street is one of the pleasantest and coziest in the city. The maiden name of Mrs. Davidson was Ellen Patton, and she was the daughter of George and Helen (Morton) Patton. She was married to our subject in 1874, and was like him a native of Scotland. Two children have been born to them—John P. and Agnes W.

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