James O. Davidson

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Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Script error: No such module "infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters". James Ole Davidson (February 10, 1854Template:Spaced ndashDecember 16, 1922) was a Norwegian American immigrant, tailor, merchant, and progressive Republican politician from Crawford County, Wisconsin. He was the 21st governor of Wisconsin, serving from 1906 to 1911; he was initially elected as lieutenant governor under governor Robert M. La Follette, and ascended to the gubernatorial office after La Follette resigned, but then won two full terms as governor in the 1906 and 1908 elections.

Before becoming lieutenant governor, Davidson served as the 13th state treasurer of Wisconsin from 1899 to 1903, and represented Crawford County in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1893 to 1899.

Early life

Davidson was born in Årdal, Sogn og Fjordane County, Norway, and emigrated in 1872 to the United States when he was 18 years old.[1][2] In Boscobel, Wisconsin he worked as a farmhand and as a tailor.[3] Davidson began a successful mercantile business and established his own tailor business in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin.[4]

Political career

He held several political positions in Wisconsin, and was twice elected village president in Soldiers Grove.[5] Davidson was also elected as a Republican candidate to the Wisconsin State Assembly, serving three terms from 1893 to 1899. He was elected Wisconsin state treasurer in 1898 and 1900.[6]

In 1902, Davidson was elected the 19th Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin alongside governor Robert M. "Fighting Bob" La Follette. Davidson and La Follette were re-elected in 1904, and in early 1905 La Follette was elected United States senator. La Follette delayed accepting the new office, overseeing a productive session of progressive legislation in the 47th Wisconsin Legislature before resigning on January 1, 1906. At that time, Davidson ascended to the office and became the 21st governor of Wisconsin.[7] He was then elected governor in 1906 and reelected in 1908.[6] He served from January 4, 1906, to January 3, 1911; and during his tenure, state regulation of the railroads was extended to include public utilities, telegraph, telephone, electricity, water companies, and the insurance industry.[8] After retiring from office, he was appointed by his gubernatorial successor to a five-year term as president of the State Board of Control.[9]

Death

Davidson died in Madison, Wisconsin, on December 16, 1922,[1][3] due to pneumonia and heart complications. He is interred at Madison's historic Forest Hill Cemetery.[10]

Family life

Davidson was the son of Ole Davidson and Ingabor (Jenson) Davidson.[10] On February 19, 1883, Davidson married Helen Bliss and they had two daughters, Mabel Elsie and Grace.[1][11]

See also

References

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  1. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Template:Open access
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Jens Davidson at NRK Sogn og Fjordane County Encyclopedia Template:In lang
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
  6. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

Party political offices
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check Republican nominee for State Treasurer of Wisconsin
1898, 1900 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin
1902, 1904 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check Republican nominee for Governor of Wisconsin
1906, 1908 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check State Treasurer of Wisconsin
January 2, 1899Template:Spaced ndashJanuary 5, 1903 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin
January 5, 1903Template:Spaced ndashJanuary 1, 1906 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check Governor of Wisconsin
January 1, 1906Template:Spaced ndashJanuary 2, 1911 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by

Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:Lieutenant Governors of Wisconsin Template:Authority control

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