An Illustrated History of Central Oregon, Western Historical Publishing Company, Spokane, WA., 1905, page 420. PAYTON S. DAVIDSON, secretary and treasurer of the Lost Lake Lumber Company at Hood River, is one of the leading business men of this part of Oregon. He is an active business man and has acquired wealth and prominence through his own endeavors. He was born at LaCrosse, Wisconsin, in December, 1867, the son of Payton S. and Addie E. (Johnston) Davidson, natives of Ohio. The father was born on September 27, 1837, and died at Hood River, in 1901. The mother was born in 1837 and died in 1887. The Johnston family is an old and prominent one in American affairs, especially in Wisconsin. Mrs. Davidson's father was judge of Lawrence county for many years and a man of excellent education. Our subject's father was raised at Southpaw, Ohio, and with his brother, William F. Davidson; for many years was prominent as a steamboat man on the Ohio and upper Mississippi. In 1890, they sold their interests and the year previous our subject's father came on to Oregon, where he was engaged in lumbering, boat building and so forth. After completing the high school at LaCrosse, the subject of this article was associated with his brothers and father in the steamboat business until they moved to Oregon. After arriving here, he erected one of the finest sawmills in the west, it being located at Hood River, and having a capacity of one hundred and fifty feet of lumber for each ten hours. In March, 1903, they sold the entire plant to the Mt. Hood Lumber Company. Now Mr. Davidson, with his brother, owns eighty acres of fine orchard which they are putting in a high state of cultivation. They also own very much city property and other real estate. On April 8, 1897, at LaCrosse, Mr. Davidson married Miss Alena Price, a native of California and a daughter of Jacob and Augusta (Bennette) Price. Mr. Davidson has four brothers, William F., Arthur J., Frank L. and Barton G. Mrs. Davidson has two brothers, Lester F. and William B. In fraternal affiliations, Mr. Davidson is allied with the A. F. & A. M. and the R. A. M. He is a good stanch Republican and takes a lively interest in campaign work. For four years he was a member of the city council and is one of the reliable, capable and popular men of this part of the city. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2005 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.