The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-12-10
John S. Davidson.

John S. Davidson was born in
| Wheeling, West Virginia, Dec. rs,
1884, died November 80, 1914, at his
home in Grand River, Iowa, aged 70
years, II months and days. He
| came to Decatur county as a young
man and here it was he met and mar
rieds Miss Rebecca Crees, May Z,
1859. To their union were born ten
children Of whom three died in early
life. The living children are Ida L.
Shaw, May, Okla, Julia E. Munyon,
Grand klver, Iowa, James E., Ches-
terville, Texas, Joseph H. D., Grand
River, Iowa. John M, Emerson. Iowa,
Floy E. Mckee, Grand River. Iowa,
Cathrine "A. Cone, Murray, Iowa.
Besides his children and his faith
full wife who has shared his joys and
SORROWS for over 55 years Mr.. David
son leaves to mourn his departure
one sister, Mary Birmbaum, Santa
Barbara, California, thirty grand
children and seven great grand-chil-
dren. Mr.. Davidson enlisted in Co.
| /, 94th Iowa Inf, at Decatur City,
| Iowa, August Is, 1862. His COM
pany was transferred to Co. D., Of
| the same regiment Nov. IL, 1864,
and he was mustered out at Houston,
Texas, August Is, 1865, having serv-
ed exactly three years, though his
regiment was not disbanded until at
Davenport, Iowa, two months later.
Mr.. Davidson participated with his
! regiment in the following engage
mcnts: Chickasaw Bluffs, Dec. 1929,
1852, Arkansas Post, Ark, June H.,
tI863, FIT. Esperanza, Texas, Nov. 20,
1868, FIT. Gaines, Ala, August 3-S,
1864, vicksburg, Miss, June IS,
1863-July 4, 1863, Blakely, Ala,
1854. OF the 101 men in this COM
pany only few survive and of these
only six are living in Decatur county:
N B. Eaves, Peter Brenneman and J.
T. Crecs, of Grand River, John
Woodmansee and S. l.. Cox, of Leon,
and John Gibson, OF Van Vert. Mr..
and Mrs. Davidson went to SCOTS
Valley, California, in 1873 and re-
manned there three years, with the
exception Of these three years they
lived all their married life in Deca-
tur county. Mr.. and Mrs Davidson
were both converted and united with
the United Brethren church in 1855.
After returning from California they
took their letters to Maple Grove M.
E. church South. After this church
was disbanded they never united
with any other churcn. Mr.. David
son has not lived an active Christian
life the past years of his life but
during the nearly two years of his,
sickness he sought the higher life in
Christ and gave his loved ones the
assurance during the last few days Of
life that all was we'll with his soul
and his departure was in peace. Mr.
and Mrs Davidson retired from the
farm to Grand River in 1896 where
they have lived till the angel of
death came for the husband and
father. Mr.. Davidson took suddenly
i'll in April, 1913, and was sufferer
more or less till his death. All Of
the children were able to be present
to console their father during the
last few days of his illness. Mr..
Davidson was for some years a mem
bier of the order Of l. O. o. f. at De-
catur City but had not been active in
the order for many years. The fun
eral services were held from the
Methodist church Dec. LIST, in the
presence of large company of SYM
pathizing comrades and neighbors
and interment was in Oak Hill GEM
ctery The services were conducted
by Rev. T. B. Scoggan, assisted by a.
chosen choir.