Title: James O. Davidson Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1885-1919

Creator:

• Davidson, James O., 1854-1922

Call Number: Wis Mss FQ

Quantity: 8.8 c.f. (36 archives boxes and 5 flat boxes)

Repository:

Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Abstract:

Papers of James O. Davidson, a Wisconsin state treasurer, 1899-1903; lieutenant governor, 1903-1906; governor, 1906-1911; and president of the state board of control, 1915-1919. The bulk of the collection comprises correspondence, speeches, and letter books, and deals with state political affairs for the years 1906-1910.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-wis000fq

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The bulk of the James O. Davidson collection deals with state political affairs for the years 1906-1910, including political relations between Davidson and Robert M. La Follette in 1905-1906 and the complicated campaign of 1906, the John Dietz “battle” at Cameron Dam in 1906 and reverberations in years following, patronage, campaign funds raised by game wardens in 1908, routine matters of state administration, complaints, pardon and parole matters, and civil service policies. There are numerous letters from local political leaders, and occasional letters relating (in 1909) to the governor's political future, to a proposed state park in Door County, the career of former Mayor David S. Rose of Milwaukee, the campaign of 1912 in Wisconsin, and personal matters. Among occasional correspondents are William D. Connor, John M. Nelson, and Isaac Stephenson.

Material on legislative issues for the gubernatorial years is scanty. The collection contains an occasional veto message and opinions of the attorney general on pending legislation, and in 1907 touches upon several rural schools bills, telegraphers eight-hour bill, two-cent fare bill, and bills regulating insurance companies.

Material for years preceding 1906 relates to Davidson's campaign for state treasurer, patronage, and routine matters connected with administration of the state treasury. Among occasional correspondents for this period are William D. Hoard, Atley Peterson, Joseph W. Babcock, Albert R. Hall, and Samuel Harper. Letters after 1910 relate to efforts of Davidson to obtain a federal appointment, to several business propositions, and beginning in 1915 to pardon and parole matters and an investigation of the Wisconsin School of the Deaf.

Acquisition Information

Presented by Mrs. Mabel Davidson Lewis, April 1925. Fourteen items, including land deeds, naturalization certificates, and other miscellaneous items were added by Mr. Olie Tuhus, Madison, Wisconsin, November 10, 1958.

Wis Mss FQ	Boxed Correspondence
Box   1	1885-1899
Box   2	1900 March-1902 August
Box   3	1902 September-1905 August
Box   4	1905 September-1906 January 25
Box   5	1906 January 26-April
Box   6	1906 April-May
Box   7	1906 June
Box   8	1906 July
Box   9	1906 August
Box   10	1906 September 1-9
Box   11	1906 September 10-30
Box   12	1906 October-November 7
Box   13	1906 November 8-30
Box   14	1906 December
Box   15	1907 January
Box   16	1907 February
Box   17	1907 March
Box   18	1907 April-May
Box   19	1907 June
Box   20	1907 July
Box   21	1907 August
Box   22	1907 September-October
Box   23	1907 November-December
Box   24	1908 January-March
Box   25	1908 April-May
Box   26	1908 June-September
Box   27	1908 October-December
Box   28	1909 January-October
Box   29	1909 November-December
Box   30	1910 January-March
Box   31	1910 April-June
Box   32	1910 July-December
Box   33	1911-1914
Box   34	1915-1919, undated
	Letter books
Box   37 Volume   12	1899 January 21-1902 December 18
Box   37 Volume   13	1902 December 15-21
Box   38 Volume   1	1905 July 5-February 1
Box   38 Volume   2	1906 February 2-May 11
Box   39 Volume   3	1906 May 11-July 2
Box   39 Volume   4	1906 July 2-August 1
Box   40 Volume   5	1906 August 1-September 19
Box   40 Volume   6	1906 September 19-November 10
Box   41 Volume   7	1906 November 10-1907 January 15
Box   41 Volume   8	1907 January 15-May 16
Box   41 Volume   9	1907 May 16-August 22
Box   41 Volume   10	1907 August 22-1908 February 4
Box   41 Volume   11	1908 February 4-May 29
Box   35-36	Speeches, undated
Box   36	Land deeds, stock certificates, probate of will, naturalization certificate