in the Plumbing and Heating Industry
.
0
The oriqinal shop with the first car. Left—Jas., Sr.: right—Eber Leek, helper; in
the doorway—John & James. Jr. Photo was taken 1910
OWEN E. DAVIDSON
JOHN DAVIDSON
JAMES DAVIDSON. JR.
For complete sales, installation and service of all plumb
ing, heating and air conditioning equipment, contact a
firm experienced and capable of giving you the best instal
lation of the newest equipment.
r Standard Sanitary, Crane and Kohler of Kohler
Plumbing Fixtures
★ Electric, Gas Fired and Oil Burning Water Heaters
★ American Radiator Corporation Products
★ Lennox Furnaces and Winter Air Conditioning Units
★ Iron Fireman Stokers
★ Chrysler - Air Temp Refrigeration
★ Coleman Space Heaters and Stoves
★ Jaden Air Conditioning
★ Youngstown Kitchens by Mullins
★ Sheet Metal Fabrication of Any Nature
★ Hallmack Accessories
★ Williams Oil-O-Matic Oil Burners
and Units
The present shop and showrooms on East Douglas Street. Employees, left-to-right
—James Bean. Lawrence F. Urban. Wm. S. Buck. Donald D. Adamson, Charles L.
Havranek and Owen LaPrath
*
One of the oldest business firms of O'Neill. Davidson's
Plumbing and Heaiinq firm, was established in 1901 by James
E. Davidson. Sr., who had been formerly employed by the
John J. McCafferty Hardware.
The firm was owned and operated by Mr. Davidson until
his death in 1942 when ownership passed to three sons_
John. James. Jr., and Owen JE.. who have carried on in the
same manner and under the same firm name of James David
son & Sons.
The senior Mr. Davidson, at the age of five, came to O'
Neill with his parents in 1876 and was a continuous resident
here. He was married on November 17, 1892 to Miss Anna
Hansen and to this union were born 11 children—eight sons
and/ihree daughters.
Mr. Davidson was a pioneer in the plumbing and heating
field and the business developed with the years, extending
into related lines which now includes air conditioning, sheet
metal work, awning installation, steel kitchens, etc.
The original plumbing business was started in a small
frame building located on the lot on the North side of Doug
las street where McCartney's Style Shop now stands. In later
years this frame building was moved to the lots where the
business is now located and numerous sheds and additions
were built on to house the growing business. In 1928 the first
of the present brick and tile buildings was erected—later the
HISTORY OF OUR FIRM . . .
original frame slrucfure was moved fo lhe rear of the lots
(where it still stands as a warehouse) to make way for a com
plete and modern shop.
As new equipment has been developed and methods have
been improved, the Davidson firm has kepi pace. Steam, hot
water, warm air, forced air. Winter air conditioning, hand-fir
ed, stoker-fired, oil-fired and gas-fired heating units, togeth
er with the finest and newest lines of plumbing fixtures are
their pride.
There are few business buildings as well as residences in
the city where this firm has not done some work—the trade
territory includes North-Central Nebraska and South-Central
South Dakota.
From a business operated by the senior Mr. Davidson
and one helper, the firm has grown to an establishment head
ed by the three sons, John, who is now business manager and
in charge of healing work; Owen E., in charge of plumbing,
and James, Jr., in charqe of service work, assisted by six full
time men, each specialists in their line and all trained in the
Davidson shop. These men are; Owen LaPrath, William S.
Buck, Chas. L. Havranek, Donald D. Adamson, Laurence F.
Urban and James Bean, whose terms of service with the firm
vary from two to eight years.
Original tools were meager—now replaced with labor
James Davidson & Sons
saving and modern equipment including electric pipe cutting
and threading device, electric drills, electric shears, electric
lockformer, spot welder, etc.
Transportation of tools from job to job was effected with
a bicycle in the days of early business. Mr. Davidson, how
ever, keeping abhreast of the limes, was the owner of one
cf the first cars to come to O'Neill. Now the firm operates a
fleet cf six trucks, pickups and panel deliveries.
1
All of the eight sons were trained in the plumbing and
healing business, and in addition to the three who own the
present firm, Edward operates a plumbing business of his
own in Casper, Wyo.; Frank O. and Lloyd E. are employed as
plumbers in Culver City, Calif. Only two, Clyde, of Roscoe.
Calif., and Ralph, custodian at the local post office, did not
follow the family trade.
Mother Davidson, to whom a great deal of credit is due
for the success of the business, still resides in the home in
South O'Neill, where she went as a bride 56 years ago and
where all of her 11 sons and daughters were born.
Progress of the business was interrupted by loss of man
power when five sons were called to serve their country dur
ing two World Wars—John in the Army. Clyde and Ralph in
the Navy during World War I, and Frank O. and Owen E. in
the Navy during World War II.
Res. Phones: SHOP PHONE
John ... _264 jm
Janies _ 155
Owen E._193-J
