CHAS. H. DAVIDSON, youngest son of Joshua L. Davidson, was born in Libertyville, Ill., March 15, 1846. When he was eight years old is mother died and the next year the family moved to Winona, Minn. He came to Austin in ’57 and the next year he went to work in the first newspaper office in Mower county. He was then 12 years old and “rolled” the first “form” from which was printed the first paper, the “Mirror.” He worked on several other papers during the next few years, and in ’63, in company with his brother Herman, stated the Mower County register.

After nine months his brother died, and C. H., then only 18, published the paper alone until ’68, when H. O. Basford became a partner. Then years after, Mr. Davidson withdrew from the firm and bought the Transcript, which he owned until Dec. 1, ’86. He was thus connected with the press for 28 years, and attended the first editorial convention of the state.

He has held numerous town and city offices and has taken all degrees conferred by Austin Masonic Lodges and is also an Odd Fellow. He has twice been appointed postmaster in Austin. He is now president of the Austin National Bank.

He was married March 15, 1866, to Mary Wheeler Davidson, widow of his brother Herman. They have three children. C. H. Davidson is essentially a self-made man, and his education was principally axquired in the printing office. The business responsibilities thrown upon him at a early age, contributed much to his development.

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Submitted to MnGenWeb by Darrel K. Waters