The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1907-10-03

Robert w. Davidson, one of
Minot's former respected citizens
died at his home near Primeville
Oregon, last T hurs day
about noon, after q lin zering i'll
ness. He had been i'll for about
twoyears ofrheumatism, but had
partially recovered and while
he had notbeen able to walk, he
was enjoying better health than
ever and stood q chance of ul-
timately recovering completely.
However he was taken ill with
his old complaint, contracted
while in the army, chronic
bowel trouble from which he died.
The remains arrived in Minot
Yesterday an No, 2 and the fun.
eral was held from the MethO-
dist church this afternoon at 2
o'clock.
The deceased was born in
Hartford, Conn. on Jan. 25,
1S41 where he spent his boy
hood days. While quite q young
man he moved with his parents
to Iowa and latter accompanied
them to Winona and st. Charles
Mimi. When the civil war broke
out, MIR. Davidson took up arms
in defense of his country, re-
naming in the service until the
close of the terrible conflict. lie
enlisted with the 7th Minn. Re-
giment. co. D, and the first year
was spent in driving the hostile
Indians back across the Mis-.
souri,. Mr.. Davidson was a
member Of the party which cap
tnred the son OF Little Crow
south OF Devils Lake. The In
dians were driven across the
Missouri south of Bismarck.
The regiment built Fort Aber.
crombie and spent the winter at
that place. Mr.. Davidson was
in a number OF sharp engage
ments with the Redrpen and was
also in some of the hottest en-
gagements of the war.
Three years prior to locating
in Ward county. Mr.. Davidson
lived at Pipestone, Mimi. and ir
1854 located down the river ter
miles from Minot at Logan
He was one of the first settlers
in that part of the state, and
was the first postmaster at Lo
gan. At that time Logan was
in Mchenry county and Mr.
Davidson was elected one OF thu
first county commissioners o
that county. Later he became
q commissioner of Ward county
when Logan was Joined to thit
cC unity. His was a hospitahlt
family as most of those of tht
pioneer days were, and tht
stranger who dropped in at K
w. Davidson's was always giver
the hand of welcome. The first
church services in that part o
thecounty was held in Mr.. Da
Wilson's residence and many {
Sunday the little settlement
would gather there to hear tn
word Of God preached by Eldel
Royce, the old preacher who ueeC
to 90 up and down the river
from Towner to Burlington
For q good many years Mr..
Davidson was eng aged in farm
ing and stock raising, and be-
lieveo in doing we'll what wa,
worth doing at all He raised
the prize oats on his Logan
farm q few years ago which won
him q silver and gold medal
at the St. Louis and Buffalo ex,
positions. In fact.M Davidson
was such good Judge Of grain
that he was selected by the state
to superintend the collection oi
theexhibit from Ward cou nty
and he used such rare judgment
that our exhibit of grain and
grasses surpassed anything that
was ever shown at Buffalo Ol
Portland.
Mr.. Davidson moved to Minot
about six years ago, intending
to retire from active life and
built q fine residence for himself.
He was ele cted alderman from
his ward serving twoeyears with
credit. In public or private life