Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Davidson, Alexander 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com November 10, 2007, 1:06 pm

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County

ALEXANDER DAVIDSON, proprietor of a livery on South Bluff street, Joliet, was 
born in Scranton, Pa., June 9, 1870, a son of Francis P. and Elizabeth 
(McNeal) Davidson, who were born, reared and married in Scotland. His father, 
who followed the machinist's trade in Scotland for some years, after coming to 
America became master mechanic in the steel mills at Scranton. In 1873 he 
removed to St. Louis, where he held a position as master mechanic in the 
Vulcan iron works at Carondelet. His next location was in Crystal City, as 
master mechanic in the plate glass works there. In 1880 he went to Chicago and 
became superintendent of the Morton Frog & Crossing works, having charge of 
the building and fitting up of the new plant. Coming to Joliet in 1890, he 
accepted a position as manager of the Fox Pressed Steel Company (now the 
Pressed Steel Car Company). This plant he fitted with machinery and put in 
running order. In 1892 he went to Montana as superintendent of the mechanical 
part of the noted Anaconda mines. Since 1S98 he has been retired from business 
cares and has made his home in Joliet, where he stands high in the estimation 
of the people as a reliable citizen. Among those in his line he has always 
held a high rank, and during his active years he was considered one of the 
most skilled mechanics in America. Reared under the influences of the Scotch 
Presbyterian Church, he has always adhered to its doctrines and endeavored to 
live up to its teachings. The education of our subject was acquired 
principally in South Chicago. When a mere boy he was apprenticed to the 
moulder's trade, serving his time with Fraser & Chalmers, and working in 
Chicago. When his father went to Anaconda he accompanied him, but after a stay 
of three months returned to Chicago. However, in 1893 he again went to 
Montana, this time remaining until June, 1S95, when he settled in Joliet. His 
connection with the Bates Machine Company began shortly after he settled in 
this city and continued until March, 1899. He then bought out the business he 
now successfully conducts. Everything about his barns is first-class. His 
carriages are all rubber-tired and modern in every particular. He owns ten 
horses of high grade and also has a number of boarders in his stables. He 
gives his attention very closely to his business, desiring in every particular 
to please his customers and to conduct affairs in a manner satisfactory to 
patrons and profitable to himself. Politically he has not allied himself with 
any political party, but is independent in his vote.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

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