Complex sentence: In 1856 the house and 35 acres were purchased by James A. David; and his son, Charles A. David (1853-1934)--merchant by profession and essayist, humorist, and cartoonist by avocation--lived in the house until 1922.
Split into simpler sentences: In 1856 the house and 35 acres were purchased by James A. David. His son, Charles A. David (1853-1934)--merchant by profession and essayist, humorist, and cartoonist by avocation--lived in the house until 1922.