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Mini Bios of People of Scots Descent
Davidson Brothers Bio


Monongalia Co WV

The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume II
pg 98

Davidson Brothers. The branch of the Davidson family to which belong Henry Alexander and George S. Davidson, of Morgantown, Monongalia County, was founded in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, prior to 1800 by Jeremiah Davidson (I), who came from his native Ireland and first settled in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, whence he later removed to Luzerne Township, Fayette County. He was of Scotch ancestry, but representatives of the family left Scotland and established themselves in Ireland several generations before his birth. For many years Jeremiah Davidson operated the old Crawford ferry across the Monongahela River, and later he owned another ferry, besides developing a substantial business in the building of boats both for his own use and for sale. He died at his old home in Luzerne Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in 1850. He married Anna Alexander, and among their children was Henry Alexander Davidson (I), who was born at Davidson's Ferry, Fayette County, in 1805. After his marriage to Elizabeth Gallagher, Henry A. Davidson settled on a farm in Cumberland Township, Greene county, Pennsylvania. His son, Jeremiah (II) was born on this farm May 26, 1834, and after arriving at adult age continued his association with farm enterprise until 1875, when he removed to Carmichaels, Pennsylvania. There he later engaged in the hotel business, and still later in the livery and undertaking business. He held the various official chairs in the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was influential in community affairs. In 1856 he married Selantha Flenniken, and they became the parents of three children: John Calvin, Franklin Francis and Minnie, the daughter dying at the age of sixteen years. After the death of his first wife Jeremiah Davidson married Mrs. Harriet Jane (Stone) Hatfield, and they had two sons, Henry Alexander and George S. The honored father died in July, 1900, the mother having passed away in October 1898.

Henry Alexander Davidson (II) was born March 24, 1878, at Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, where he attended the public schools until eligible for admission to the Pennsylvania State Normal School at California. Thereafter he became associated with his father's business, and after the death of his father in 1900 he came to Morgantown, West Virginia, and in April, 1901, engaged in the livery business. March 1, 1903, he added an undertaking department to the business, and in 1914 his brother George S. became his partner, under the firm name of Davidson Brothers. Since 1917 the firm has been engaged also in the handling of automobiles, with a well equipped garage and service station in which the firm has the sales agency for the Hudson, the Essex and the Marmon cars, and the Republic automobile trucks. The brothers are active members of the Morgantown Chamber of Commerce and  are affiliated with Union Lodge No. 4., Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the local Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and the Morgantown Commandery of Knights Templars, while each has received the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite, and also holds membership in Osiris Temple of the Mystic Shrine. Henry A. is a past exalted ruler of Morgantown Lodge No. 411 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; is affiliated with Monongahela Lodge No. 10, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and is a charter member of the Morgantown Country Club. He married Miss Agnes Miles, of Buckhannon, this state. They have no children.

George S. Davidson was born at Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, January 27, 1884, and in addition to the discipline of the public schools he took a business course in the University of West Virginia. He came to Morgantown, May 1, 1901, and after working for his brother until 1909 he here established an independent livery business in South Morgantown. He sold this business two years later and thereafter conducted a similar enterprise at Morgantown until 1914, when he entered into partnership with his brother, as noted in a preceding paragraph. The Davidson brothers are numbered among the vital and progressive business men and valued citizens of Morgantown. George S. likewise is affiliated with the local lodge of Odd Fellows and is a charter member of the Morgantown Country Club. He married Mary E., daughter of Henry Fenton Rice, the pioneer news dealer of Morgantown.


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