Joshua L. Davidson, who came to Austin in 1856, was born in Acworth, Sullivan County, New Hampshire, in December, 1812. When a mere lad his parents brought him to Alleghany County, New York, and he was put to hard work helping clear the new farm.

Here he received his schooling and was early married to Miss Phoebe Ann Woodward. Five or six years later they removed to a farm near Waukegan, Ill., and there spent four years, going thence to Rockford. Here he established a line of teams between his home and Galena. Gradually extending the line westward, he finally came as far as Winona.

In 1855 he brought his three children, (his wife having recently died) to reside in Winona. November 24, 1856, he was again married, to Mrs. Attila Albro, of Wisconsin, and soon came to Austin. He invested largely in property here, including the present "Davidson's addition."

In the spring of 1857 he, in company with H. C. Bolcom, J. F. Cook, and D. M. V. Stuart, put up the old "Headquarters" building, where Dunklemann's store now stands. The brush was moved off of Main Street, so the stage might pass this building. During the war he built the Davidson House, near the head of Main Street. Mr. Davidson was foremost in the religious and moral interests of the community, and was largely instrumental in establishing the Congregational church in this city. He donated the site for the house of Worship and was one of the first deacons.

He was man of firm convictions and unflinching principles, opposing slavery, intemperance and evil in every form. He died in 1873. His second wife and two children still survive him.

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Submitted to MnGenWeb by Darrel K. Waters