James O. Davidson

James Ole Davidson (February 10, 1854ndash December 16, 1922) was the 21st governor of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. [ [http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=2318&keyword=davidson Davidson, James O. 1854 - 1922 ] ]

Davidson was born Jens [ [http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/nrk_sogn_og_fjordane/fylkesleksikon/1517627.html Jens Davidson] at NRK Sogn og Fjordane County Encyclopedia no icon] Ole Davidson in Årdal, Norway, and emigrated to the United States when he was 18 years old. Having established his own taylor business in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin, he was twice elected village president there, which led him to the Wisconsin State Assembly, serving three terms as a Republican from 1893 to 1899. He was elected Wisconsin state treasurer in 1898 and 1900. In 1902, and again in 1904, Davidson was elected lieutenant governor alongside governor Robert M. La Follette, Sr. On January 1, 1906, La Follette resigned to join the United States Senate, making Davidson acting governor. He was elected governor in 1906 and reelected in 1908.

Davidson died in Madison, Wisconsin, at age 68 due to pneumonia and heart complications.

References