Bibb County AlArchives Biographies.....Davidson, James L. February 14 1837 - after 1893
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ann Anderson alabammygrammy@aol.com May 13, 2004, 10:40 am

Author: Brant & Fuller (1893)
    JAMES L. DAVIDSON, a leading merchant of Centreville, is a native of
Alabama, born in Centreville, Bibb county, Ala., February 14, 1837. He is a son
of Samuel W. and Frances (Stringfellow) Davidson-the father a native of North
Corolina and the mother a native of South Carolina. The father was born in 1791.
He was a son of John and Margaret (Wilson) Davidson, the former a native of
North Carolina, a merchant, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mrs.
Margaret (Wilson) Davidson was born in 1761 and reared a family of three
children : Mary, John H. and Samuel W. She died in North Carolina, and her
husband in Bibb county, Ala. Samuel W. Davidson was reared on a farm and
educated in the common schools of his day. He was the father of nine children:
Samuel W., a resident of Bibb county and an extensive planter; James L.; Mary
F., widow of Edward H. Moren; Caroline V., wife of Dr. A. S. Murphy, of Eutaw,
Ala.; William; Margaret; John S.; Thomas A., and Catherine J., are all five
deceased. Samuel W. came to Alabama from North Carolina in 1819, and located in
what is now Bibb county, near Pratt's Ferry. In the early part of his life he
was a farmer and merchant; later, however, he followed farming exclusively,
owning a large tract of land. He represented Bibb county in the legislature of
1840, and also filled various township offices. He died March 4, 1863, an elder
of the Presbyterian church. Through the united efforts of Mr. Davidson and a few
individual citizens, the Presbyterian church of Centreville was built in 1859.
His wife died October 30, 1848, also a member of the Presbyterian church. James
L. Davidson was reared in the town of Centreville, was educated at Somerville
and Tuscaloosa colleges, was married January 27, 1864, to Miss Fanny Barclay, a
native of Alabama. She was the daughter of Hugh Barclay. No children were born
to their union, and she died May 30, 1865, a member of the Baptist church. In
1861, Mr. Davidson organized the first infantry company that was organized in
Bibb county, and was its captain. He went to Virginia with his company, serving
as captain until 1862, when he was detached and served as lieutenant-colonel
until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Seven Pines, Chickamauga
and a number of skirmishes. At the close of the war he located at Mobile, and
embarked in the grocery business; remained one year, then returned to
Centreville, forming a partnership with Robert Mcllvain, in the mercantile
business. Shortly after he bought his partner's interest and has operated a
successful business up to the present date. November 17, 1867, he was married to
Miss Susan A. Rowell, a native of Wilcox county, Ala., born in 1844. She is a
daughter of James and Ann (Suell) Rowell. To Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have been
born seven children, viz.: Margaret, Anna, Fannie, Ella, Dora, James and Ida,
all now deceased. Mr. Davidson is an active politician and has served as
chairman of the democratic county committee; in 1882 he was appointed postmaster
of Centreville, and holds the office at the present time. In connection with his
brother, S. W. Davidson, he owns a part of the old homestead on the Cahawba
river, which comprises 2,000 acres of fine bottom land, in a high state of
cultivation, and is located two miles south of Centerville. He and wife are
members of the Presbyterian church, in which he is clerk and one of the ruling
elders.



Additional Comments:
from "Memorial Record of Alabama", Vol. I, p. 481-482

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