shipbuilder, b. Ayrshire, Scotland. He learned the ship carpenter's trade, and in 1855 moved to Milwaukee, where he was employed by James M. Jones (q.v.) and later by Buel B. Jones, shipbuilders. In 1861 he formed a partnership with Lemuel Ellsworth (q.v.), and when Ellsworth sold out in 1868 to William H. Wolf (q.v.) the firm became Wolf & Davidson, one of the most well-known builders of Great Lakes vessels. Davidson also served in executive capacities in several other Milwaukee shipping enterprises. J. S. Buck, Milwaukee under the Charter (2 vols., Milwaukee, 1884-1886); Milwaukee Evening Wis., Feb. 2, 1895; Milwaukee Sentinel, Feb. 3, 1895.

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[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]