Davidson, John Andrew

  • DICTIONARY OF CANADIAN BIOGRAPHY ARTICLE: Wendy Owen, “DAVIDSON, JOHN ANDREW,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 13, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–. https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/davidson_john_andrew_13E.html
  • DCB profile notes:
    • Pioneer, businessman, jp, office holder, and politician; b. 19 Aug. 1852 in Thamesford, Upper Canada, son of Isaac Davidson and Chrystann (Christie Anne) Cameron; m. 20 March 1878 Sophia Ellen Hamilton in Palestine (Gladstone), Man., and they had two sons and three daughters; d. 14 Nov. 1903 in Neepawa, Man.
    • John Andrew Davidson and other members of his family were part of the first contingent of Ontario settlers who went to Palestine, Man., in July 1871. He, his father, and at least one of his brothers took up land in Township 14, range 11 west. In 1873 Davidson served in a volunteer company raised in the area to face a threatened Sioux attack.
    •  Quickly becoming an established figure in the community, by 1876 Davidson was a justice of the peace, a commissioner for taking affidavits, and a trustee for the Protestant school board. One of his most important posts was secretary of the Palestine Baseball Club, for the early settlers from Ontario took their baseball seriously.
    • In 1880 he left Palestine (which had been renamed Gladstone), and with his new partner Jonathan Joseph Hamilton moved to Beautiful Plains (Arden). On the land they purchased in Township 14, range 15 west, they established not only a store but a new town which was to be called Neepawa. In order to attract settlers, they built – in addition to a brick building for their own store – a hotel, a steam-driven flour-mill, a blacksmith’s shop, and other businesses. The store proved to be successful, as did the mill and a real-estate agency they had started. 
    • In addition to his local commercial and political endeavours, Davidson was involved in provincial politics for much of his life. An active member of the provincial Conservative party, he was for years a member of its executive. In 1881 he was elected to the Legislative Assembly for the new constituency of Dauphin, a seat he retained in the general election of 1883. John Andrew Davidson’s political career was based on his business activities, which were largely concerned with the rapid commercial development of new agricultural settlements in what was then northwestern Manitoba. His success exemplifies the close connection between rural politics and business promoters in early Manitoba.
  • Second Great Grandson of Proven United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=1163
  • Find a GRAVE: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51641195/john-andrew-davidson