DAVIDSON, John H., Lagrange, GA., then Claiborne Parish, Louisiana
Submitted got the LAGenWeb Archives by Mike Miller, Apr. 1998


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Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, 
Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 508-509.  Edited by Alice Fortier, Lit.D.  
Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.

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Davidson, John H., parish superintendent of schools, Homer, La., was born near La Grange, Ga., 
July 16, 1848; a son of Joseph T. and Mary (Hawthorne) Davidson, both native South Carolinians.  
The family were of Scotch-Irish descent, coming to America at an early date.  The father, a 
Presbyterian minister, was born in 1818,  and settled in Georgia in 1840, where he began his 
theological studies, after the completion of which he taught school and preached.  In 1853 he 
came to Homer, La., established the Presbyterian church at that place, and also taught school.  
He was instrumental in the building of many of the churches in North Louisiana, and was well 
known throughout that section of the state for his zeal in the religious upbuilding of his
community.  He was the owner of a small plantation, where he raised his children, and it was 
here that he passed away in 1881, age 64 years.  His beloved wife died in 1889, being 73 years 
of age.  Of the 5 children in the family, the subject of this biography is the third.  After 
availing himself of the advantages afforded by the schools of his community, he entered the 
University of Mississippi, graduating in the class of 1872 with signal honors, after which he 
took a post-graduate course, and later was given an assistant professorship in the university, 
where he remained for 2 years.  He then went to Yazoo City, continuing his pedagogical work 
there for 1 year.  Prof. Davidson then located at Vienna, where he taught in an academy for 6 
years.  In the fall of 1881 he came to Homer, and took charge of Homer college, but on
account of his father's death, gave up this position and returned to the family homestead, 
living on the farm for the next 2 years.  In 1883 he accepted the management of the Homer 
female institute, which he later consolidated with the Homer male college, forming a 
co-educational institution.  He taught in the Ruston high school in 1889, and remained in this 
incumbency for 6 years, after which time he moved to Downsville, La., and taught there 2 years.  
Since that time he has taught at Homer, Lisbon, Junction City and Athens, La.  In 1908 he was 
elected parish superintendent of schools, to which office he has twice been re-elected, filling 
this important position most acceptably, and proving himself an efficient executive and a splendid 
instructor.  Prof. Davidson is the owner of a small plantation, where he now resides.  In April, 
1876, was solemnized his marriage to Mary, a daughter of H. H. and Jane (Stribling) Howard.  She 
was born in Vienna, Lincoln parish, in 1858.  Her father was a native of the state of New York, 
coming to Louisiana and engaging in the mercantile business, which he followed until his death in 
1862.  The mother is still living.  Prof. and Mrs. Davidson are the parents of 5 children, namely:  
Mary, wife of David James, coal and ice dealer at Ruston;  Belle, teaching at Homer;  Alice, wife 
of G. N. Brown, a millman at Doyline, La.;  Agnes, wife of Frank Tindol, a sawyer at Bowie, La., 
and Olive, stenographer for the Thompson-Richie Grocery Co., at Ruston.

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