Some men are born for a commercial life while others are inclined
irresistibly to a professional career. Experience has demonstrated that
it is highly important for an individual to follow the pursuit in which
he is most interested — the one to which his talents and inclination
instinctively point — and it was fortunate for C. L. Davidson, of
Virden, that he yielded to his early inclination and became a dealer in
horses, as he has proved unusually successful in that line. He is a
native of Macoupin county, born in the town of Macoupin, November 21,
1859, a son of Isaac and Ann (Beeman) Davidson, both of whom were born
in Illinois. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Davidson were nine children,
three of whom died in infancy, the others being: Uewis, a resident of
Hillsboro, Illinois; Sylvester, who is now living in Jersey county; C.
L., of this review; Ellsworth, who was killed in a feud between cattle
and sheep men in New Mexico; Nettie, the wife of Henry Whitler, of
Macoupin county; and Arthur, who is living in Canada.
Mr.
Davidson of this sketch was educated in the public schools and even as a
boy was especially interested in horses. He began his active business
career as a stock dealer and has ever since continued buying, selling
and trading horses, lhere are few men in Illinois who can claim better
judgment as to the value of horses. He has been highly successful in his
chosen vocation and ranks among the intelligent and reliable dealers of
the state. He is also interested in farming and has owned land in
Macoupin county, and is now the owner of seven hundred and fifty acres
in Missouri.
On March 29, 1898, Mr. Davidson was married to Miss
Hattie Evans, a daughter of William and Louisiana (Noble) Evans, the
former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Mississippi. Mr. Evans
was one of the pioneers of Illinois and his father built the third cabin
that was erected where the city of Alton now stands. In his family were
eight children, namely: Isabelle, who married Clifford Rowland, of
Montgomery county; Henry, deceased; Martha, the wife of James Kidd, of
Virden; Mary, who is now living in St. Louis and is the widow of Joseph
Baird; Albert, of Montgomery county; William, deceased; Benjamin, who
makes his home at Virden; and Hattie, now Mrs. C. L. Davidson. Mr. and
Mrs. Davidson are the parents of six children: Mildred, who was born
January 20, 1899, and died August 30, 1903; Chester E., born December
13, 1900; Isabelle N., born December 22, 1902; George M., who was born
April 29, 1905, and died April 5, 1906; Cynthia L., born February 5,
1907; and Clifford L., born January 30, 1910.
Mr. Davidson is a
second cousin of Hon. William J. Bryan but notwithstanding his
relationship to the noted democratic leader he is an earnest supporter
of the principles and candidates of the republican party. Fraternally he
is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors.
He is a man of large and varied experience and, beginning upon his own
account, has developed a business that has brought him a comfortable
competence. His affairs have at all times been conducted according to
the strictest business ethics. Helpfulness toward others is one of his
marked characteristics and many have been benefited by his generous
spirit and kindly disposition. Such a man never lacks friends and it is
highly to his credit that he posseses the confidence and regard of all
with whom he has had business or social relations.
Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 460-461.
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