The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-22
HON. THEo E. DAVIDSON,
Member of the House of Represen
tat1ves from Buncombe County.

Buncombe county has truly lent TO pub
lie LIE some very attractive, as well as
bralny men. The rugged mountain coun-
Try IS inspiring and invigorating alike to
the physical and mental nature of man.
Take for instance the immortal Vance
the wit, the orator, the statesman, the
Moses of his day and generation. Then
MefrlmOn, the chiyalrous gentleman, the
profound scholar, the eminent states
man-Jurist. Again, Davidson, the soldier
lad, the wise legislator, the brilliant At
torney General. OF this last named
mountaineer l write. General Theo. +.
Davidson was born in 1916, the son of a
distinguished lawyer In Western North
Carolina. He was being prepared
for Annapolis when the war broke out,
and though but sixteen years old he vol
unteered for the army and served as a
member of the Buncombe Rifles and af-
terwards in the Thirty Ninth, Colonel
Coleman's regiment, in which he was
made a Sergeant Major. He served
through the Tennessee and Kentucky
campaigns on the staff of General Robert
Ransom and later on the stats of Cen
erals Palmer and Martin. After the war
he was admitted to the bar and was as
ISOLATED for time with his father, serv-
ing as Solicitor for Clay County, locat-
ing in Asheville. He took an active in
tcrest in politics and served ten years as
chairman of the Buncombe County Dem
ocratic Executive Committee and six
years as chairman of his Congressional
District In 1876 he was elected to the
State Senate and was reelected again to
the Senate in $780, serving with distinc-
ton. He was active in securing the
building of the Western North Carolina
Railroad and the Western Asylum for the
Insane. Leaving the Senate he served
as Judge of the Buncombe county court
Attorney General In 1888 he was again
and in 1884 was nominated and elected
elected, leading his ticket Cen
eral Davidson declined third
nomination and has since prac-
ticed his profession, except for a
term he served as mayor of Asheyille,
having been chosen to that place during
his absence from the city and without his
knowledge. In 1902, as the nominee of
his party for the lower house, he led his
party to a brilliant victory, keeping old
Buncombe in line. His campaign was in
keeping with the dash and energy dis
played in previous campaigns, his power
as a speaker serving the party a good
turn. In the Assembly of 1908 General
Davidson was a conspicuous figure. He
was honored by appointment as chairman
of one of the most important committees
and served as a member of other inn
portant committees. Both on the floor
and in the committee room he did his
county and State good services. He took
an active part in all legislation, making
some very strong speeches during the
session OF a thoughtful mind, General
Davidson would now and then arise from
his seat. during a sitting, and leisurely
pace the aisle leading to his desk. He
is a man of strong character and eX-
ccllent attainment He has been twice
his last wife being Miss Sallte
Carter, a daughter of David NJ Carter,
of HYDE. whom ne welded in 1893
Cen Davidson is easily one of the first
men in the State in ability, integrity. in
dependence, usefulness worthy to serve
the State in its highest positions of trust
and responsibility