Thomas A. Davidson

SOURCE: "History of Champaign County, Illinois with Illustrations," 1878

SURNAMES: DAVIDSON, SIDENER, SCOTT, BROWN

THOMAS A. DAVIDSON - " Nothing succeeds like success" is a trite saying and a true one. And yet the successful men are apt to look with indifference upon what they have accomplished in life, or rather they measure themselves by some one above them, forgetting the vast multitude that are below. To the plodding masses a tithe of their possessions would be wealth and contentment. Thomas A. Davidson, the subject of this sketch, is among the successful men of his county. He was born in Virginia, December 1st, 1810, and was the fifth child of John and Sarah (McREA) DAVIDSON, who were also natives of Virginia, and of Scotch extraction. When five years of age his parents moved to Ohio, where his youth and early manhood were passed. His opportunities were limited, and consisted of an occasional attendance upon subscription schools, most of his time being spent on his father's farm.

In his twenty-fifth year he engaged in farming for himself. He married, December 16th, 1842, Miss Elizabeth J. SIDENER, who was born in Ohio of which state her mother was a native. Her father, Jacob SIDENER, was born in Kentucky, and was of German descent. By this union they have had nine children, seven of whom are now living, in the following order of their births. Mary E., now Mrs. Thomas SCOTT; James W., John S., who died in his seventeenth year; Jerome T., George W., Charles Francis, Ida L., who married Julius BROWN; Sarah Kate and Annie N., who died in infancy. In 1853 Mr. Davidson disposed of his property in Ohio, and moved with his family to Mahomet township. He has devoted most of his time to farming, and still, though a man who has nearly completed his three-score years and ten, is actively engaged in looking after his interests. He is a Republican and during the rebellion was a loyal and patriotic citizen, one of his sons, James W., having enlisted in one of the Illinois regiments during the war. He is now a resident of the town of Mahomet, where he is enjoying the fruits of a life of zeal, self denial and industry. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. No man stands higher in the community than does he. He is regarded as one of the best and most substantial citizens of the county, a man of character and integrity, a credit to the community and an honor to his family