Willson, Davis, 1841-1915

Davis Willson (1841-1915) was a Presbyterian minister, newspaperman, merchant, land office agent, and early Montana pioneer. He came to the territory in 1866 from Canton, New York and became one of the first residents of the town of Bozeman. He wrote a series of articles for the Montana Post at Virginia City during the 1860s and 1870s describing Indian and mining activities in the area. After serving as register of the U.S. Land office at Bozeman he prepared for the ministry and was ordained in 1889. Willson organized churches at Hamilton and Springhill, Montana.

From the guide to the Davis Willson Papers, 1861-1915, (Montana State University-Bozeman Library, Merrill G Burlingame Special Collections)

Davis Willson was a Presbyterian minister, newspaperman, merchant, land office agent, and early Montana pioneer. He came to the territory in 1866 from Canton, N.Y., and became one of the first residents of the town of Bozeman. He wrote a series of articles for the Montana Post at Virginia City during the 1860s and 1870s describing Indian and mining activities in the area. After serving as register of the U.S. Land office at Bozeman he prepared for the ministry and was ordained in 1889. Willson organized churches at Hamilton and Springhill, Mont.

From the description of Davis Willson diary and papers, 1861-1915. (Montana State University Bozeman Library). WorldCat record id: 70924591

Merchant, land office agent, Presbyterian minister in Hamilton and Springhill, Mont.

From the description of Davis Willson papers, 1861-1915. (Montana State University Bozeman Library). WorldCat record id: 42929093

Davis Willson was born on July 17, 1841 in St. Lawrence County, New York, the son of Ambrose S. and Julia Ann (Hill) Willson. He attended local schools and worked on the family farm. In 1859 Davis traveled to California and returned two years to attend St. Lawrence University. After three years there he transferred to Oberlin College in Ohio. After finishing school he worked in Washington, D.C.

In 1866 Willson moved to Bozeman, Montana Territory, where he taught school and became a bookkeeper for Rich and Willson, general merchandise. In 1876 he was register of the land office and agent for Gilmer, Salisbury and Co., a stage and express line, as well as an agent for the Northern Pacific Railroad. In addition around the turn of the century he served as a Presbyterian minister in several rural churches.

Davis Willson married Martha A. Van Allen of Canton, New York, in 1874. The couple had one child, Frank Willson, who became a professor at the University of Illinois. Mrs. Willson died in 1906 at the home of her son in Urbana, Illinois. Davis Willson died April 2, 1915.

From the description of Davis Willson papers, 1876-1884. (Montana Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 252059551