My Genealogy Hound

JAMES DAVIDSON, farmer, P. O. Ripley, an early pioneer, was born in Union Township May 25, 1803. He is a son of Mathew and Mary (Hill) Davidson, who removed from Pennsylvania to Harrison County, Ky., in 1778, and settled near Washington. Mr. D. was a stone-cutter by trade, and built the first jail in Washington, which was a stone structure. Alexander Hill, grandfather of our subject, was a veteran in the war of the Revolution. He died near Ripley in March, 1824. He was the father of nine children. His oldest son, Alexander Hill, Jr., served as First Lieutenant in the war of 1812. Mr. Davidson’s uncle, James Davidson, served through the late war with Great Britain. Mathew Davidson and his family and father settled in Union Township and purchased Harrison’s Survey of the original purchasers. They spent their summers in their new Western home; then in the autumn would return with all their stock to Boone’s Port in Old Kentucky. They were intimately acquainted with Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton, the two distinguished pioneers of the West. Matthew Davidson built the Presbyterian stone church near Red Oak, which was the first in the township. He aided in many other important improvements and was a man of influence. He died March 14, 1814, and his wife followed him in 1852, aged seventy-eight years. James Davidson was reared on a farm and was educated in the district schools. When fourteen years old, he was bound out to learn the “tailor’s trade” with John Slade, of Lavanna, and after serving five years, he went to the farm. He bought 55 acres, and in 1849 he made an addition of 112 acres. His avocation has always been that of agriculture, and in its pursuits he has been successful. He was married January 1, 1831, to Miss Rachel Turner, by whom he has had eight children; of them six are living — Nancy A. (wife of Wilson Smith), Elizabeth (wife of George Mefford), Mary A., Matthew G., William T. and Sarah E. James H. and Rachel J. are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson are identified with the Christian Church. In political affairs, Mr. Davidson is a strong Republican. He served his township as Trustee and also filled various local offices.