Davidson - Jasper N - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Jasper N. Davidson. The name of Davidson is inseparably linked with the fortunes of Montgomery County from the early days of its settlement, when William Fleming Davidson came here with his bride to found a home and identified himself with its sturdy, self-sacrificing, industrious pioneers, to the present time, when his son of whom we write is one of its most influential and honored citizens, whose practical work as a progressive and farmer has materially contributed to its growth and prosperity, and whose enlightened and generous public spirit has advanced its welfare in other directions. He is the proprietor of Summit Farm, a beautiful place, perfect in its arrangements and appointments, and advantageously situated on section 35, South Union Township.

Our subject is a native of Montgomery County, born February 5, 1834, in one of the pioneer homes of South Union Township, and he has always lived within a mile of his birthplace. He is a descendant in a direct line on the paternal side of some Scotch people who emigrated from their native land to Pennsylvania prior to the Revolution. Seven brothers of this name fought for independence in the struggle of the colonists for freedom from the mother country, and all returned to their homes uninjured, to found families in various parts of the Union which their valor had helped to establish. The great-grandfather of our subject was one of the number. He married Margaret Cochran Fleming, and their son, our subject's grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania, and became a school teacher. He married Mary Lattimour, of a fine French family, and they had seven children, one of whom was William Fleming, the father of our subject.

William Fleming Davidson was born in Erie County, Pa., June 21, 1798, and was fairly educated for a boy of that time. He became a farmer, and first located in Butler County, Ohio, when he began life for himself, and there he found his first love. Early in 1828 he walked to this county from Ohio, and selected land on section 34, township 18 north, range 4 west, now known as Union Township. The money paid for his first land had been earned at the rate of $9 per month. Returning to Ohio for his promised bride, Miss Amy Amanda Schnorf, they were married in Warren County, that State, September 11, 1828. She was born December 10, 1810, and was one of the eleven children, ten daughters and one son, of Jacob and Rachel Schnorf, who spent their last years in Covington, Fountain County, this State, where several of their daughters married. Jacob Schnorf's father emigrated to this country some time during the last century from Germany, where he had owned a farm on the Rhine. Mrs. Davidson's great-grandfather, Bailey, was one of the early settlers of Ohio. He built a rude cabin on the Miami River, that was primitively furnished and had a quilt for a door. He subsequently removed to Terre Haute, Ind., where he died. His only child, Catharine, married Abel Cook, who was killed by the Indians at the mouth of the Licking River, opposite the present site of Cincinnati, he having taken his gun thither for repairs, and he was scalped by the savages after starting home. He left his widow with two children: Abel, whose posterity live near Frankfort, Ky.: and Rachel, wife of Jacob Schnorf, as before mentioned.

William Davidson brought his young wife to their new home in the forest wilds of this county after their marriage. He walked while she rode on horseback, with her treasured china cups, saucers and plates in her lap, and clothing and linen behind. They experienced the usual trials and hardships of life on the frontier, bearing them with exemplary cheerfulness, and she bravely bore her share of the burdens of the day until death claimed her, July 17, 1838, while yet a young woman. She was the mother of four children, Cynthia M., Ann Eliza, Jasper N. and William Marion, all of whom died in childhood except Jasper. The father remarried, Mary Hostetter becoming his wife, and nine children were born of that union. He passed away February 1, 1864. He was a man of firm convictions and strict integrity, and, respected by all, he dwells in the memory of his children as a kind father and type of true manhood.

Jasper N. Davidson, to whom these lines principally refer, is a gentleman of sound culture, and of liberal views, and has well-defined opinions on all subjects of general interest. He attended the district school in his boyhood, generally during the winter term, which usually lasted three months, and he has supplemented the education thus attained by extensive reading and keen observation of men and things. Reared a farmer, he settled on a rugged timber tract, the highest surveyed spot in Montgomery County. Nevertheless, after the forest was conquered, it needed drainage, and Mr. Davidson has over nine miles of tile on less than half a section of land. This farm, once a swamp, is now one of the first, as to improvements and production, in the county. April 16, 1863, the house that the family originally occupied was burned with its contents, but another was built in its stead the same year. In 1875 that cottage was replaced by a commodious residence, which stands on the top of a knoll, whence the name of "Summit Farm.' Surrounded by nearly an acre of forest trees, their shade affords a pleasant retreat in which to spend the hours of rest and recreation.

The marriage of our subject to Miss Levanda J. Huff occurred March 27, 1862. Mrs. Davidson was born in Mercer County, Ky., May 27, 1844, and is the daughter of Abraham and Julia (Brassfield) Huff, who were born respectively March 7, 1821, and October 25, 1822, in Woodford County, Ky., and were married November 28, 1840. They also have one son, George, a resident of Chicago. Abraham Huff's grandfather was a native of Wales, whence he emigrated to this country, and settled in New Jersey, where his son Peter, Abraham's father, was born. In early life Peter moved to Harrodsburg, Ky., and was there married to Jerusha Van Arsdall, who was descended from a line of English ancestry. Mrs. Davidson's maternal grandfather was George Brassfield, who was of English parentage, and a soldier in the War of 1812. Sophia Cotton, his wife, was a descendant of the well-known Adams family of Massachusetts, and died March 12, 1887, at the age of eighty-three. The Huffs came to Indiana in 1 849, and have since been residents of the State. The daughter Levanda was educated principally at Crawfordsville Seminary. Her marriage with our subject has been hallowed to them by the birth of two children: Julia, born April 2, 1863; and William A., born August 27, 1867, who is engaged with his father in the breeding of pedigreed stock. The daughter attended the Central Normal School three years, and subsequently married James M. Waugh, December 11, 1889. Mr. Waugh is a civil engineer, a native of Montgomery County, and a resident of Crawfordsville.

The subject of this sketch is a man of affairs, gifted with good judgment, a rare stock of common-sense, and a far-reaching public spirit. Ably seconded by his wife in all things, theirs is a true marriage, and they have founded an ideal home. It has always been supplied with the best current literature, besides a standard library, which has kept the family in touch with the world, while enjoying the independence of country life. Reading and a free interchange of ideas add much to the pleasure of this home, which is the central thought of all its members, who extend to all friends a gracious hospitality. Childhood, fostered by loving, intelligent care, has there developed into a manhood and womanhood which can never outlive the precious influence of the dear old home. It is said that, so far as history can trace, on either side there has been no intemperance in the family, even the use of tobacco being eschewed, save in one instance.

Politically, Mr. Davidson was reared a Democrat, but he has steadily believed in a protective tariff, and opposes any inflation of the currency. He also believes that only two great parties can survive, and that they are needed to maintain the balance necessary for the perpetuation of our Republic. In religion, our subject is non-sectarian, though from a Presbyterian family, and believes in the right to individual opinion and interpretation of the Scriptures, guided by care and reverence. He thinks sectarianism as commonly preached a stumbling block in the path of Christianity and in the way of many who would otherwise seek the church. Having in his own life witnessed a wonderful advance in liberality and unity of effort, he believes the future will dissipate creeds and bring about an amalgamation of sects more conducive to the salvation of humanity than the present methods. He holds a man a Christian who follows Christian precepts, whether he can accept the tenets pres cribed by man or not.

Mr. Davidson was one of the organizers of the Montgomery County Agricultural Society, its object being the improvement and development of agriculture and kindred industries. The annual fairs are the fi nest exhibitions of the kind in the State. Always a Director of the Board, Mr. Davidson was its first President, and served for nine years in that capacity. In 1882 he was elected a member of the State Board of Agriculture, and still belongs to that honorable body, having been re-elected five times. During the greater part of this period he was one of the executive committee, and served two years as President. He is also Trustee of Purdue University, appointed first by Governor Hovey for a term of three years; he began a second term in August, 1892, by appointment of Governor Chase. He has always interested himself in public improvements, and, strongly advocating good roads, he carried the first petition for the Crawfordsville & Whitesville free gravel road, which was the first one constructed in the State under the Free Gravel Road Law of 1878.

Jasper N. DAVIDSON, farmer and stock raiser, Whitesville, is one of the prominent and successful men of Union Twp. He was b. in Montgomery Co, IN Feb 5, 1834. His mother, Amanda (SNORF) Davidson d. July 17, 1838. Her grandfather and grandmother were b. on the River Rhine, Germany. His father, William F. Davidson, was b. in Pa July 27, 1798. He emigrated to Butler Co, Ohio and in 1828 settled on Sec 34, Union Twp, Montgomery Co IN. He came to this County first on foot, in co. with John McCANE. He was a millwright by trade and had 7 uncles in the revolutionary war. Wm. F. Davidson began in this County with 50 cents in money and became one of the prosperous and successful farmers of the County. He earned the money that he paid for his land with by working on the Cincinnati & Dayton canal at $9 per month. He d. Feb 1, 1864. J.N. Davidson, the subj. of this sketch, went to school in the days of log schoolhouses and slab benches, and when they received the rays of the sunlight through greased paper. He lived at home for many years after he was of age. He was marr. May 27, 1862 to Miss LJ HUFF. She was b. May 27, 1844. They have two children: Julia A, b. April 2, 1863; William A. Aug 27, 1867. Julia is a grad. of the Ladoga Normal school. Mr. D. is one of the prosperous and successful farmers of Montgomery Co. he has a good farm of 284 acres, well fenced and having about 5 mi. of tile. He has a nice two-story dwelling house, beautifully situated on an elevated spot. Mr. D. is pres. of the Montgomery Co. Agr. Society and has always adhered to the principles of the democratic party. He is liberal and takes an interest in everything that is for the good and progress of the country. Mr. D. is a man of intelligence, honesty and influence. -- kbz