The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-04-09
JOHN P1NTARD DAVIDSON, NJ. D.

Death is continually walking the ROUNDS
of great city, and sooner or later stops
at every mans door; but the grim mes
senger could have paused at no threshold,
even in this vast community, and beck
oned silently away one more endeared to
his people than DR.. John Pintard David
son, whose death occurred at $40 o'clock
yesterday morning.
The deceased was born December 9th,
1912, in Pinckneyville, Wilkinson coun-
ty, Miss, where his parents were on
visit at the time. His father, Richard
Davidson, was a Virginlan, and at the
time of his removal to New Orleans was
surgeon in The United States army. His
mother, Eliza Novel;, was also born in
Virginia and was the daughter Of the late
John Piutard, of New York.
The subject of this sketch completed
his collegiate course in the East, and
subsequently graduated with distinction
from the Pennsylvania Medical Universe
ty of Philadelphia. Returning to New
Orleans in 1882, DR.. Davidson took adj
vantage of a couple of years of experience
and observation in the Charity Hospital,
where he made an envable record in tho
surgical department. of that famous insti-
tuition. For short time thereafter, he
did some practice in conjunction with his
father in this city, but finally settled in
Rapides Parish, then comparatively a
new country. His first wife was Laura
Kerr, daughter of DR.. Kerr, prominent
physician Of this city.
At the beginning of hostilities between
the States DR.. Davidson was elected
Captain of the Alexandria Rifles, CON-
posed of the flower and chivalry of that
Parish. Reporting at New Orleans, his
company was assigned to the Crescent
regiment, under command of Col. Mar
shall j.. Smith. After serving through
the campaigns of Corinth and Shiloh, DR..
Davidson became quite i'll, in consequence
Of which he was ordered home by General
Bragg. He did not return to the army,
having at the earnest solicitation of the
people of Rapides, resigned his commits
sion and resumed the practice of his
profession.
During the occupancy of Alexandria
by the Federal forces, his handsome resi-
dence, library and other valuables were
destroyed by fire, which together with
other losses sustained on that occasion,
swept away his entire fortune. On July
18th, 1860, DR.. Davidson's first wife died,
after which he removed to this city,
where he again began the practice OF
meditinc. In May, 1867, he was united
in marriage to Miss Ella H., daughter OF
the Rev. Caleb Dow, of this city, who
survives him.
The family of the deceased consisted OF
six sisters and three brothers. The Sis
tiers were Eliza E., Mary D., Helen NJ.
Julia and Lucy Ann, the first five Of
whom were married, the last remaining
single and living with her brother up tt
the time of his death. His three broth
ers were Marsden, Larned and Thoma:
Servoss.
By his first marriage DR.. Davidson hat
six daughters and two sons. Of thes'
two daughters and son preceded him t.
the grave. The surviving children ar
Eliza N. widow of Andrew D. Lewis, o
Virginia; Margaret K, wife of Captain
, Joseph w. Texada, of Rapides Parish
Cora c., wife of Major R. l.. Robertson
Jr., of this city, and Laura W., widow o
tho late Captain S. A. MoBryde, @
vicksburg, and his son, Albert S. David
son, of New Orleans. The deceased ais
leaves a number of nieces, ncphews an
grandchildren, who mourn his loss a
that of a father.
DR.. Davidson was one of the origins
members of the Medical and Surgical Al
sociation of this city, of which he ":
the president for several terms. In 1877
he was selected by the Howard Associi
ton, together with Drs. Bruins and ChO]
pin, to administer it's affairs in Shrey
port during the epidemic of that yea
" Governor Wilt appointed him memb
of the Board of Health in $780, a positit
"a which he was subsequently compelled
H. resign on account of the numerous d
We mands made upon his time in the practi
M of his profession. He was also appointt
W by the United States Board of Health
he member of the committee of experts
a. epidemic diseases. At sthe... time of |
10, 20 death, DR.. Davidson was the oldest pra
E. tcing physician in the city, and althou
9. over seventy-seven years of age, exhi|
ted in remarkable degree all that Wig
H. and energy for which he was SO. conspie
al GUS in his earlier manhood.
es His affection for his family, This attat
ho ment to his friends, his charty::and
mt nevolence toward mankind, his coura,
Oh his accomplishments as gentleman.sa
70 his skill as physician were all clea
~ illustrated in his splendid character
: Duty had an: exalted significance to hi
III Those who were most intimate with b
say that duty was the summary of
. Oh morals, the constant Indictment to
m arduous labors and the practical dem
,as stration of his piety, rendering him
60 ways faithful to his fellowmen. A la
~, ,"a circle of friends cherished associates, 7