Biographical Sketch of John H. Davison, Webster County, Missouri

>From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas, 
Pulaski, Phelps and Dent Counties, Missouri" The Goodspeed Publishing
Company, 1889.
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Judge John H. Davison, merchant and farmer of Jackson Township, was 
born in Polk county, Mo., October 30, 1843, but was reared in Dallas
county, and made his home with his father until nineteen years of age,
when he spent six years in his native county, engaged in farm labor. 
While a resident of that county he was married, on the 19th of Decem-
ber, 1861, to Miss Susan V. Ragsdale, who was born in Kentucky, but
was reared in Polk County, of which county her father, Joel Ragsdale,
was a pioneer.  In 1861 Mr. Davison enlisted in the Home Guards, and
in 1864 joined the Enrolled Missouri Militia, Fifteenth Cavalry, and
served until the close of the war, being mustered out at Springfield.
He was in the battle of Lexington, Mo., and during his six months'
service, in 1861, was captured, but after being retained a short time
was paroled and returned home.  In the spring of 1865 he and family
moved to Dallas county, where he partly made two farms, and is the
owner of one of them at the present time.  He was engaged in the merc-
antile business in Thorpe, Mo., in 1883-84, but sold out and engaged
in the same business in Charity.  Since July, 1885, he has resided in
Webster county, and has built him a store, residence and blacksmith
shop, and carries on the general mercantile business very successfully.
He also started a grist and saw mill in 1886, which brings him in a
nice little income annually.  While residing in Dallas county he serv-
ed one term as county judge, being elected on the Greenback ticket in
the fall of 1882.  In 1888 he was elected public administrator of
Webster County.  He is a Master Mason, and he and wife are the parents
of the following children: Margaret R., wife of G. B. Richardson; Joel
Thomas, who is a partner in the store and mill with his father; George
W., who resides on the farm in Dallas county; Lewis H.; Sarah J., wife
of W. E. Salsman; Oliver C. and Charles A.  Two children are deceased:
Catherine, who died at the age of six years, and an infant.  Mrs.
Davison is a member of the Christian Church.  Judge Davison's parents,
Bracket and Delilah (Hardison) Davison, were born in Tennessee and 
North Carolina, respectively, and after their marriage resided in Tenn-
essee a few years, and in 1838 located in Polk County, Mo., taking up
their abode in Dallas county in 1851.  The father was a soldier in the
War of 1812 under Gen. Jackson, and was at the battle of New Orleans.
He died in Dallas county, Mo., September 29, 1863.

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