James Ole Davidson (February 10, 1854 – December 16, 1922) was a Norwegian American immigrant and the 21st governor of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. He also served as lieutenant governor of Wisconsin and state treasurer.

Early life

Davidson was born in Årdal, Sogn og Fjordane County, Norway and immigrated in 1872 to the United States when he was 18 years old. In Boscobel, Wisconsin he worked as a farmhand and as a tailor. Davidson began a successful mercantile business and established his own tailor business in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin.

Political career

He held several political positions in Wisconsin, and was twice elected village president in Soldiers Grove. Davidson was also elected as a Republican candidate to the Wisconsin State Assembly, serving three terms from 1893 to 1899. He was elected Wisconsin state treasurer in 1898 and 1903. Elected the 19th Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin alongside governor Robert M. La Follette, Sr., Davidson served until January 1, 1906, when La Follette resigned to join the United States Senate, making Davidson acting governor. He was elected governor in 1906 and reelected in 1908. He served from January 4, 1906, to January 3, 1911; and during his tenure, state regulation of the railroads was extended to include public utilities, telegraph, telephone, electricity, water companies, and the insurance industry. After retiring from office, he was appointed by his gubernatorial successor to a five-year term as president of the State Board of Control.

Death

Davidson died in Madison, Wisconsin, on December 16, 1922, due to pneumonia and heart complications. He is interred at Madison's historic Forest Hill Cemetery.

Family life

Davidson was the son of Ole Davidson and Ingabor (Jenson) Davidson. On February 19, 1883, Davidson married Helen Bliss and they had two daughters, Mabel Elsie and Grace.