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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JOHN BLAIR DAVIDSON, bank cashier, and a very prominent man of Newville, comes of an old and honorable family of this locality, his family history being recorded as follows:

(I) John Davidson was one of the first to take up land in West Pennsboro township, and his farm is still in the possession of a descendant, James A. Davidson. John Davidson was born in 1743, and died in 1823.

(II) John Davidson (2), son of John (1), was born in 1772, married Elizabeth Young, and died in 1810, his widow dying in 1823. They had five children, — Eleanor, John Young, Samuel, Nancy and William.

(III) Samuel Davidson, son of John (2), was born April 20, 1804, and after obtaining such education as the schools of that day afforded went to Carlisle, and learned the trade of tanner with Andrew Blair. Mastering his trade, he came to Newville, and worked in a tannery which he soon bought, operating it for a number of years. An upright, hard-working, generous man, he often assisted others to his own loss.

On Oct. 19, 1830, Samuel Davidson married Catherine Leckey, who was born May 21, 1807, daughter of Alexander Leckey, of West Pennsboro township. To this union were born three children: Alexander Leckey, who died in 1852; John Blair; and Elizabeth A., who lives at Newville. The father died in August, 1880, the mother in April of the same year. For forty-four years he was elder of the Big Spring Presbyterian Church, and be was a thoroughly good man.

John Blair Davidson was born Dec. 24, 1833, in Newville, Pa., and after attending the common schools completed his education at Jefferson College, in Washington county, Pa., graduating in 1852. For the following ten years he taught school, and then entered the Quartermaster’s Department at Washington, remaining five and one-half years, and learning those methodical habits he has ever since found so useful. In 1869 he returned to Newville and entered the First National Bank, in 1882 receiving promotion to the responsible position of cashier, which he still holds, discharging his onerous duties with faithful accuracy.

In October, 1857, Mr. Davidson married Margaret Ellen, daughter of William Burnside, of Center county, Pa. One of the early members of the family, Thomas, a great-uncle of Mrs. Davidson, became a judge of the Supreme court of Pennsylvania.

The Davidson family are all members of the Big Spring Presbyterian Church. Mr. Davidson’s career has been characterized by straightforward methods throughout. He is unremitting at his work, and has many friends along those he has served for so many years, and, in fact, all over Cumberland county.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company. 

View additional Cumberland County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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