WILLIAM W. DAVIDSON.  

	When William W. Davidson, ex-assistant inspector of the Canadian
income tax of Moose Jaw, first came to western Canada as a young boy,
fifty-one years ago, the common mode of transportation was the ox-cart.
Today speeding, smooth-running express trains are transforming miles
into minutes, while by automobile one can reach rural points in a mar-
velously short space of time. This transformation in the means of com-
munication is but symbolical of the development the entire west has
undergone in the last half century, a development unparalleled in all his-
tory. It has been the rare privilege of a few persons living today to wit-
ness the change that has been wrought by the onward march of modern
civilization and among them Mr. Davidson is included.
	In 1872 William W. Davidson moved with his parents to' a homestead
in Manitoba, coming from Lakeside, Ontario, where he was born on No-
vember 30, 1858. His father, Isaac Davidson, was born in the eastern
province and was married in Ontario, where he lived prior to moving
west. In Manitoba he proved up on a homestead and bought additional
land, which he put under cultivation, remaining a resident of that province
to the time of his demise. He was a member of the Methodist church and
invariably supported the Conservative party in political contests. Only
two of his eight children are living: William W., of this review; and Mrs.
C.P. Brown of Winnipeg, who is the widow of a former Minister of
Public Works.
	As he left Ontario for the frontier regions of Manitoba at an early age,
William W. Davidson's educational opportunities were limited to a few
years schooling obtained before the family moved west.  In later years he
supplemented this early training by study along various lines that inter-
ested him.  Until early manhood Mr. Davidson remained on the home
farm, where he was of assistance with the work as he grew older and
stronger. His first business position was that of general agent for the
Massey-Harris Company, in whose interests he traveled all over western
Canada, going as far as Calgary and Edmonton, which at one time were
considered the outposts of civilization.  He remained with the Massey-
Harris Company for seventeen years a term of employment that is in
itself an evidence of able service.  In 1905 Mr. Davidson located in Moose
Jaw, where he was actively engaged in the lumber business until 1912.
In that year occurred his election to the provincial legislature from this
district and for the ensuing five years he sat in this body, where he rep-
resented the interests of his constituents. In 1916, 1917 and 1918 he held
the office of mayor of Moose Jaw, being twice elected to succeed himself
in that important position. He was appointed assistant inspector of the
Canadian income tax in the fall of the latter year.  He was reelected
mayor of Moose Jaw for the year 1924. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity and both he and Mrs. Davidson belong to the Methodist church.
	Mr. Davidson was married on the 7th of November, 1893, to Miss
Maudo M. Stevenson, daughter of John Stevenson, a pioneer settler of
Barrie, Ontario.  She was born in that place, and there spent her girl-
hood. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Davidson: Gordon
C., who is now practicing law in Kelliher, Saskatchewan; W. Howard, of
Weyburn, an employe of the customs service; Mrs. Berry, a widow of
Moose Jaw; and Miss Grace, who lives at home.  The elder son was in the
Canadian army during the Great war and spent two years overseas as a
lieutenant in the Two Hundred and Tenth Battalion, Canadian Expedi-
tionary Forces.

         
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