BIO: JAMES A. DAVIDSON, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
   
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson
  OCRed by Judy Banja

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm
  http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/cumberland/
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  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 457-458
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  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
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    JAMES A. DAVIDSON is the oldest of his generation of this family now
  living, and is one of the most esteemed citizens of West Pennsboro township,
  where he has passed all his life. He was born July 11, 1827, on the place
  where he still resides, son of Alexander Davidson and grandson of John
  Davidson. Alexander Davidson was also a native and lifelong resident of
  Cumberland county. He settled on a farm in the Kerrsville district, and
  became very prosperous, owning five hundred acres of valuable farm land. In
  1858 he retired from active labor, taking up his home in Newville, where he
  and his wife spent the remainder of their days in well-earned rest, Mr.
  Davidson passing away Oct. 19, 1865, at the age of seventy-eight years, and
  Mrs. Davidson on Aug. 19, 1879, when eighty-four years old. Their family
  consisted of eight children.
    
    James A. Davidson was reared upon the home place, and received the greater
  part of his education in the common schools of the locality. After his
  marriage he settled on the old homestead, where he has remained ever since,
  though he retired from the active work of the farm some three years ago, and
  is now enjoying the accumulations of his years of industry. Though he gave
  proper attention to his business affairs. he found time to serve his fellow
  citizens in various capacities, and has filled the offices of school director
  and assessor in his township with acceptance to all concerned. He has also
  held other local offices. Mr. Davidson gives his support to the Republican
  party. He is wonderfully active and well preserved for one of his years. On
  Sept. 1, 1853, he married Nancy C. Nettle, daughter of William Nettle, of
  West Pennsboro township, and to them were born ten children, of whom seven
  reached maturity: Jane Ellen, the eldest, born in March, 1854, was married to
  a Mr. McKeehan, and had three children, James D., George E. and William O. She
  died at Mt. Rock, West Pennsboro township, at the age of fifty. Lacy, Cordelia
  married Robert E. Glimm, of West Pennsboro township. Mary Alice is the widow
  of David Paul, and is living with her parents. Nancy Merrette became the wife
  of Samuel Green, and is living in Plainfield, Cumberland county; they have two
  children, Lacy E. and Lina A. William Alexander, born in February, 1860, is at
  home on the farm. Annie Amelia is the wife of William Jauss, and lives at
  Harrisburg. Carrie Rebecca married J. W. Orr, and has one child, Helen P.;
    
    458  CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
    
  they live at Greason, Cumberland county. The mother of this family is beloved
  for her many Christian qualities, and shares the respect in which her husband
  has been held by friends and acquaintances alike for so many years.