For Dysart’s Centennial in 1973, the Dysart Reporter published a special edition documenting the history of the town. This article was a part of that publication.
“Saturday morning, August 15, 1913, an elderly gentleman got off the train and started toward town. This writer came up behind him and heard the remark, ‘Well the old town still stands.’ Upon inquiry, we learned that the gentleman was William Davidson, well known to the older people of this vicinity.
In the book, ‘Dysart and Vicinity’, published by Joseph Dysart in the years 1886-1887 we find the following paragraph about Mr. Davidson: ‘Wm. Davidson,a Canadian by birth, now a Dakota banker, set the mercantile business on foot in Dysart. On the southeast corner of Main and Wilson Streets (present location of the Brick-a-Brack store), he opened a general assortment store in January 1873. He vacated his first stand after doing a profitable business there for several years and in 1877 established himself on the opposite side of the junction of the same streets (current location of the Dysart State Bank) in the first substantial business house in town. Mr. Davidson left here about 1880 and moved to South Dakota. Now he is a resident of the state of California. He came back east this summer to look after interests in a farm he still owns in South Dakota. From there he came here and spent several days visiting with the Meekers north of town, relatives and with his many friends. From here he went to Canada for a visit at his boyhood home. Mr.Davidson and Mr. Krambuehl lived in the same vicin
ity in Canada when young and they have quite a visit last Saturday talking over many incidents.’
Additional Information:
William Davidson moved to Tama County in 1870 from Canada. The “Iowa Biographies Project” states he located first in Buckingham which at that time was a settlement just north of Traer (see Buckingham Cemetery for location), not the current day location of Buckingham. In 1871, he established a business in Mooreville. When the railroad was located at Dysart, he moved his business to that town. Referring to Mr. Davidson as the first merchant in Dysart may not be entirely accurate. According to the book “History of Tama County” by J.R. Caldwell, Mr. J.A. Durand of Belle Plaine also sold dry goods at that same time. So, it would seem Mr. Davidson and Mr. Durand were likely the first merchants. The book further details that almost simultaneously to those two businesses, Johansen and Paulicek, also of Belle Plaine, operated a third mixed merchandise store in Dysart. They sold their business to Feddersen and Dethlefsen who remained in business until 1877 when Mr. Dethlefsen sold out to Mr. Fedderson who remained in business for many years. In 1881 Fedderson built the large brick building on the southeast corner of Wilson and Main now known as the Brick-A-Brack Building.
In February 1873, Mr. Davidson became the first postmaster in Dysart and mail services were moved from Ettie to his store in town. He maintained this post until April of 1875. He was a member and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Dysart.
In 1874, William purchased land in Clark County, sections 11 and 12 from John T. Converse and his brothers, Enoch and Sterry.At that time, the land included “commodious and conveniently designed residence, a capacious barn and the necessary outhouses for a large farm”. He paid $9,000. In early 1875, railroad service to Dysart was disrupted as a result of the Panic of 1873 and the bankruptcy of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Minnesota Railway. Mr. Davidson attempted to sell his business but was not successful in finding a buyer and ultimately remained in business until 1880 when he moved on to South Dakota.
From: History of Tama County Iowa by Samuel D. Chapman 1879
“Wm. Davidson, Dry Goods and Groceries
This gentleman is proprietor of the leading dry goods and grocery house of the place, which was established in the year 1873. Mr. Davidson has been a resident of Tama County since 1870, coming here from Canada , and locating at Buckingham. In 1871, he established a business at Mooreville, a small village and post office in the northeastern part of Geneseo township, remaining until moving to Dysart. Since the latter date he has carried a full line of dry goods, boots, shoes, hats, caps, staple and fancy groceries, etc., and has taken the lead in trade. Call and see him and he will sell you goods cheap, as his long business experience enables him to buy goods at bottom figures; this together with his good judgment in selecting enables him to offer his patrons superior inducements.