It is admitted by all that the Scotch nationality very nearly approaches the best on the face of the earth, and of this, the subject of this notice is a most worthy representative. He was born in Lenorieshire, the Land of the Thistle, Sept. 2, 1814, near the city of Edinburgh, and is the son of Robert and Margaret (Murdock) Davidson, who were of pure Scotch ancestry for generations back. They left their native isle in 1833, and taking passage at Liverpool on a sailing vessel, landed six weeks later in the city of New York. Thence they made their way to Wood County, Ohio, during the period of its early settlement, and there spent the remainder of their days.

Nine children were born to Robert and Margaret Davidson, of whom the following survive, namely: Robert, Jr., James, Walter, Ann (the wife of Thomas Forester), Margaret – all these residents of Wood County, Ohio – and William, our subject, the only one living in the West. He, in common with his brothers and sisters, received a good education in his native country, and from his boyhood up was trained to agricultural pursuits. He left Ohio in 1866, having previously married Miss Martha Miller, which event occurred Feb. 8, 1861. Mrs. Davidson was born June 30, 1831, in New York City, and is the daughter of James and Susan (Foyle) Miller. The father was born in the North of Ireland, and emigrated to America when a youth of nineteen years. About 1837 he came, with his family, to this county, and settled in Irish Hollow, Elizabeth Township, being one of the first men to locate there. He took up a tract of wild prairie land, upon which he labored until 1861, and in the year 1862 met his death by drowning in Apple River, while attempting to cross during high water. The mother of Mrs. Davidson was born in Indiana, and is now deceased.

Our subject and his wife began their wedded life together in Ohio, where they sojourned until 1866, and then removed to their present farm, where they have since lived. This now embraces 347½ acres of land, under a good state of cultivation, and very valuable. Mr. Davidson began life without means or other resources than his own indomitable energy and perseverance, and has come out of the race with flying colors. Although approaching the seventy-fifth year of his age, he is still hale and hearty, in excellent health and spirits, and, apparently, good for many years to come.

To Mr. Davidson and his excellent wife there were born eight children, of whom four are living, namely: Martha E., Phoebe A., William A., George W. Margaret and Nettie died at the ages of twenty-three and sixteen, respectively. Both Mr. and Mrs. Davidson are active members of the First Presbyterian Church, of which our subject has officiated as Elder for many years, and contributed liberally to its support. He is a man of sound principles, honest and upright in his dealings, and generally respected both in social and business circles. He has maintained a deep and abiding interest in the progress of his adopted county, encouraging the enterprises calculated for its advancement, and contributing in more ways than one to bring about this result. Among the men destined to be missed when they shall have been gathered to their fathers, Mr. Davidson will command a most kindly remembrance.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889), p. 667