Windham

DAVIDSON, Milon

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 96-97

Milon DAVIDSON, of Newfane [Windham County, Vermont], was born 28 November 
1834 in Unity [Sullivan County], New Hampshire, son of Alvah and Ann (HOWE) 
DAVIDSON. In his early childhood his parents removed to Acworth [Sullivan 
County], New Hampshire, where he was brought up to his father's occupation, 
that of a farmer. From the age of fourteen to seventeen he was in the employ 
of Capt. Samuel McCLURE, a neighboring farmer. His early school advantages 
were limited, for he had only one term a year, from the age of ten to 
twenty-one, but his evenings were devoted to his books, and he generally rose 
three or four hours before sunrise to study by the light of the fire or a 
tallow candle. He fitted for college at Meriden [Sullivan County, New 
Hampshire] and at New London [Merrimack County], New Hampshire, and 
continuing his studies under great privations and discouragements, graduated 
at Dartmouth in 1862. He then taught as principal, mostly in academics, 
twelve years, reading law as opportunity offered, with Mr. SOULE of Fairfax 
[Franklin County, Vermont] and Hon. A. STODDARD of Townshend [Windham County, 
Vermont], and was admitted to the bar in 1872. In 1874, without solicitation 
on his part, he was chosen treasurer of the Windham County Savings Bank, and 
still holds that office. The business of the bank increasing, he has, in 
recent years, necessarily devoted more of his time to that, and less to the 
practice of law.

He is a member of the executive committee, trustee, and treasurer of Leland 
and Gray Seminary, treasurer of the Windham County Creamery Association, and 
a director in the Union Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Montpelier. He has 
been director in the Brattleboro & Whitehall Railroad Company, superintendent 
of schools, and president of the Christian Aid Association. Formerly as a 
Democrat, and more recently as a Prohibitionist, he has received the votes of 
his party for town representative and state's attorney. He was a delegate to 
the national convention of the Prohibition party in 1888; a candidate on 
their ticket for presidential elector the same year, and for state treasurer 
in 1892.

On 28 November 1864 he [Milon DAVIDSON] married Gratia E., daughter of Samuel 
A. and Rachel (WOODWORTH) ANDREWS, of Richmond [Chittenden County, Vermont]; 
they have one child: Lula Estella. At the centennial celebration of 
Acworth, New Hampshire, Mr. DAVIDSON read an original poem, which is 
published in the history of that town, and at the opening of the B. & W. 
Railroad he wrote a lengthy metrical composition, commemorating that event, 
which attracted much attention. Mr. DAVIDSON is a member of the Baptist 
church, but has liberally aided other denominations. He has a reputation for 
strict honesty and high moral character; yet he is best appreciated by those 
who know him most intimately.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly