This paper was written by John Davidson between (1841-1870).

He was the Son of Robert Kile & Sarah Moore Davidson, and Grandson of Robert & Margaret Fite Davidson. This paper is in the Kansas Historical Society.

1. John Davidson

2. Junction City, Kansas

3. Robert K. Davidson, Farmer in Medium Circumstances. Was for many years Jusice of the Peace, and a man noted for his uprighteousness.

Sarah Davidson , whose maiden name was Moore. She lived to the peaceful age of 85 years. Died in Junction City in the home of her son John Davidson and was laid to rest in the Highland Cemetery.

There were five children born to this union.

Meet Charles Wesley Davidson [1871]
Meet Howard Davidson [18??]
Meet John Davidson Jr[18??]
Meet Cora Davidson [18??]
Meet Gertrude Davidson [18??]

My paternal ancestors were of English Decent and were among the first settlers of Yorktown, Va. On the material side we claim the sturdy German and Scotch Descent and history funds them among the early settlers of Pennsylvania. Both parents were born in Ohio. I was born near Burford, Highland Co, Ohio on March 22, 1841. My parents moved to Indiana when I was two years of age, settling in what was known as "The Western Reserve". This part of the State was then principally occupied by Indians. Schools at the time were maintained by subscribing and as would naturally follow, very few could take advantage of them. My first lesson was learned in a log school house, the fireplace being the center of the building. The seats 2 benches were made of slats split and hewn from logs. Into these slabs holes were bored and round sticks driven in for legs. The writing desks were fastened around the walls. When I was fourteen years of age, my Father emigrated to western Wisconsin and located in Crawford County. School factlities were not much better than they were in Indiana, so my early schooling was through necessity very much neglected. It simply amounted to going to a district school one day and staying out two. As for college education, I had none. We came to Kansas in 1869. Locating nine miles west of Chetora, IN, Lafayette county in what was known as the "Cherokee Strip" of Chetora.This is a strip of land which divides the Osage and Cherokee Nations and was known as the "Neuter Land" by the tribes. In 1871, Congress made arrangements whereby these lands were put on the market at $ 2.00 per acre. It was on this land that I commenced farming in Kansas. Emigrants to this part of the state while it was a good class of people, in many cases were very poor and at times it was hard to keep the wolf from the door. In 1876 we sold our farm, and, like jews, commenced wandering. In 1879 we located in Junction City. I earned my first dollar cutting wood for steamboats on the Mississippi river. At the age of 19 I was made an apprentice in a plow factory at $ 8.00 per month in the firm of Harris & Benson in Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin. I saved of the wages in the army of 1265 dollars. At the close of the war I engaged in the Lumber and Mercantile Business in Lynxville, Wisconsin. After closing out this business I went to Indiania and asssisted in construction of the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad. From there I came to Kansas and for seven years engaged in building railroads in Kansas and Louisana. In 1885 bought the Hardware and implement stock of goods of W.S. Blakely. For a short time was in partnership with George C. Moses and John Hansen both of whom I bought out. My oldest son, Charles Davidson became a partner of the firm,. The name now become John Davidson and Son. Enlisted at Parairie Du chien, Wisconsin., April 22, 1861. Particiapated in the battles on Gainesville, Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Fitshugh Crossing, Chancellorsvillie, Gettysburg, Nine Run, Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Sottsylvania Court House, Bethseda Church, North Ann, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Crater, Weldon Railroad, Hatcher's Run, Five Forks, High Ridge an Apromattox. Enlisted as a private in Co C 6th Wisc Veteran Volunteer Infantry, and was a private, Corporeal, Sargaret, Sargeant Major, Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenenant, Adjutant, and Brevet Major. Was wounded at Gettysburg and Hatcher's Run. Am a Charter Member of the J.C. Lodge #132 Gar. Cast my first vote for Abraham Lincoln while under the rebel guns near Petersburg, Virginia in 1864. Have always been a Republican. Have been chairman of the County Central Committee several times, and was a delegate to the National Convention in 1892. Have filled the position of Councilman and member of the School Board. Have always had the great confidence in the upbuilding of the Republican Party in Kansas. I am List Vice President of the Junction City Commercial Club. Member of the K & L Security, Sons and Daughters of Justice, and the A.O.U.W. of which I am a Master Workman. Am not connected with any Church, but raised in the faith of the Methodist. Married Miss Ella Liora Pratt of Ripon, Kansas on Dec 30, 1870. Have five children, three sons and two daughters. Charles Wesley, Howard, John, Cora and Gertrude, all of whom were born in Kansas. Junction City Post #132 gar in 1879 appointed me as a committee of one to take charge and select the design and location and build a soldier's monument, in commemoration of the soldiers and sailors of the war of 1861 to 1865. I at one sought the council and assistance of G.A. Gardner, the Government Architect at Ft Riley, and we agreed and it was adopted to build and arch. To raise the money ($2000) The estimated cost, was no small undetaking, but at the time it was unveiled September 10, 1898 every dollar had been raised and it was turned over to the city without a cent against it or a dollar of cost to the city. I send you herewith a photograph of the monument and ask that it have a place in the history of Kansas.

Yours most respectfully,

John Davidson

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