Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 803.
 
THOMAS LUTHER DAVIDSON

      who has so acceptably filled the office of Judge of Marion county, Oregon, is a native of Greene county, Illinois, born November 14, 1833. His father was James Davidson, a native of the Blue-grass State, and a soldier in the war of 1812, for which service he was pensioned by the Government. He was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Ament, also a Kentuckian by birth; her father emigrated to this country from Holland; he had been educated for the priesthood, but was converted to Protestantism, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church; he was married in Kentucky, to Miss Metcalf, a relative of Governor Metcalf, of the same State. To James Davidson and his wife were born nine children, four of whom survive. Judge Davidson is the youngest born; he removed with the family to the State of Iowa in 1836. March 1, 1847, they started across the plains for Oregon, making the journey with ox teams; their company formed the first large emigrant train from the States, and consisted of fifty wagons; at Fort Hull they divided, twenty-five going by the southern route. They arrived October 6, of the same year.
     Salem had just been platted, and a few little houses built. Mr. Davidson settled on Government land near Salem, and the first year of their residence there, their food consisted principally of boiled wheat, venison, and coffee made of pease. They improved the land, and the Judge still owns and occupies the portion of land which his father took up forty-four years ago. He was sent to the first school in Salem, and finished his education at Willamette University.
     Judge Davidson has devoted the greater portion of his life since arriving at man's estate to the pursuit of agriculture. He has been very successful in breeding and raising fine sheep; and in 1876, at the Centennial Exposition, he was awarded a medal for the best Merino wool in competition with the world. He was one of the organizers of the State Agricultural Society, and has always taken an active part in its affairs; he has filled the office of president with great satisfaction to the membership.
     He was married July 6, 1868; to Miss Mary S. Melson, a native of Missouri, and a daughter of S. D. Nelson, a resident of this State for a quarter of a century. There have been born to Judge and Mrs. Davidson three children: Julia Lauretta, a beautiful child, died at the age of five and a half years; Thomas L, and Lester M., survive. In his political convictions the Judge has affiliated with the Democratic party, having cast his first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas. He has been prominently identified with local politics, and in 1891 was appointed County Judge to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Waldo. His rulings have been governed by a conscientious desire to carry out the spirit of the law and mete out justice. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging both to the blue lodge and chapter. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for years, and has aided in all its work, contributing freely of his means to all movements requiring financial support.
He has lived a life above reproach, and is justly proud of the result he has assisted in accomplishing in the development of the county of Marion.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in May 2007 by Diana Smith.  Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.