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Below is a family biography included in The History of Newton County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Joseph H. Davidson, farmer, is the son of Thomas Davidson and the grandson of William Davidson, who was born in South Carolina, of Irish descent, was married in Illinois, in 1818, and was one of the pioneers of Sangamon County, that State; he died in Macon, Ill. Thomas Davidson was born in South Carolina, and came with his father to Illinois when a lad of seven. He here learned farming, and here married Miss Celia Hawey, the daughter of Joseph Hawey, of Illinois, but formerly from Kentucky. To Mr. and Mrs. Davidson were born twelve children: America A., Joseph H., William H., Elizabeth M., Daniel T., Lucy F., George W., Lutitia C., Melinda L., Elis L., Thomas K. (killed in the late Civil War) and Colwin J. (who died young). Mr. Davidson lived on his farm in Macon, Ill., for many years, and is still living, at Decatur, Ill., at the age of eighty-one. He is a Democrat in politics, was a prosperous farmer, and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. His son, Joseph H., was born in Macon County, Ill., in 1836, and was reared on his father’s farm. In 1861 he married Miss Lydia A. Kimberlin, daughter of Lewis and Nancy (Lamb) Kimberlin, and to this union were born seven children: Anna L., Thomas L., Elizabeth, Nelson, Nancy, Charlie and Oscar. Anna L. married C. T. Humbard, of this county. Mr. Davidson resided on a farm in Macon County, Ill., until 1871, when he moved to Missouri, and located on a farm in Jasper County for about ten years. In 1881 he came to Van Buren Township, Newton County, and purchased his present property of eighty acres, where he is now living. Mr. Davidson, like his father, is a Democrat in politics. He is a member of the Farmers’ Alliance, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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This family biography is one of 220 biographies included in The History of Newton County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Newton County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Newton County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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