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Descendants of Benjamin (Frank) Franklin Davidson

Generation No. 3


      14. Benjamin Franklin3 Davidson (Benjamin Franklin2, Benjamin (Frank) Franklin1) was born 22 Mar 1907 in Oklahoma Territory, and died 16 Sep 1963 in Los Angeles, California. He married Avis Wheat 25 Nov 1937 in Butte, Siver Bow County, Montana, daughter of Earl Adelbert Wheat. She was born 28 Oct 1906 in Ada, Henry County, Kansas.

Notes for Benjamin Franklin Davidson:
ANOTHER BENJAMIN FRANKLIN DAVIDSON AND HIS FAMILY

      To continue the B.F.D. name from grandfather Frank to his son, and now to his grandson, also Ben (known as Franklin). He was born 22 March 1907, O. T. (Oklahoma became a state in November that year) the oldest child of Ben and Eliza.

      After graduating from Taloga High School he went to Trenton, Missouri where his Uncle Jim and some of the Frame famiy lived. He wanted to be an airplane pilot and enrolled in a flying school there.

      The Great Depression had hit the country, his funds were dwindling so he went to St. Louis, Missouri in 1926 to enlist in the Army. The next year he was honorably discharged because of his minority. Then 30 July 1930 he enlisted in Oklahoma City, was honorably discharged 3 November 1931, by reason of purchase, his father had "bought him out." A year later, in November 1932, he again enlisted, 20 August 1934 by reason of desire to re-enlist for foreign service.

      He chose Military Police, he wanted to go the China, and Tientsin was his destination. By the time his tour of duty was completed, China was having trouble with Japan. Tientsin was badly damaged in the fighting in 1937, and was held by the Japanese until World War II.

      Ben (Franklin) and Avis Wheat were married in Butte (Silver Bow County), Montana, 25 November 1937. Soon after, they came to Bell Gardens, California and lived in Jesse's home a few weeks. He found work with George Howard, a cement contractor and while working various parts of Los Angeles he found a lot at 1907 Seigneur Avenue, on a hill, across the highway from City Terrace. They had $1,500.00 savings between them, they would borrow the same amount from Avis' parents and Ben would build a home on this hill.

      He tried a team of horses to clear and grade the lot, but the soil was deep and hard adobe, he had to use a small tractor.

      Occasionally, he worked for Mr. Howard, but he also worked on the house many, many days by himself. Jesse helped him on week-ends, and brother Jimmy helped when he was in California.

      He wanted to become a Los Angeles policeman and from time to time he took the various tests, including "brush up" courses at night school in Math and English. The last test was the agility test in the huge Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. At age 33 he jumped the high hurdles along with many younger than he, but he passed. He was on the waiting list, to be called at any time.

He was appointed on 6 January 1941. Three months of rigorous training, mentally and physically at the Police Academy in Elysian Park, then he found himself, a rookie, on the Metro Squad, a foot beat in a not -so-desirable 7th and Central district, in a squar car in Highland Park and finally a desk job in Communication Division in Parker Center, downtown Los Angeles.

      Ben completed 22 years on the Los Angeles Police Department and received many commendations for faithful service over the years. He was a conscientious policeman, not so prevalent these days. One night after a football game Frank took two players with hin for tour of the communications system, and the lieutenant in command told hin he wondered how his father could stand the stress on the phones. He died 16 September 1963, age 56. He was buried in Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier, California.

By Avis Wheat Davidson
May 1985


The Tibbets family lived on an adjoining farm.
      Graduating from Missoula County High School in 1925, I worked all that summer in the Missoula Public Library as an apprentice (no pay). I continued working there part-time the five years I attended the University of Montana. The Great Depression had hit Missoula, jobs were scarce, so going to school seemed to be the best thing to do. Besides, I was earning 35 cents an hour (later, 40 cents)!
      Later, I worked in an Office Supply store which I had haunted from the time I was a small girl, buying drawing pencils, anything for an excuse to look around. The owner, Claude Elder, moved to a larger location, added a gift and book department of which I was in charge. On day Ben, (my future husband-to-be), came in the store looking for a birthday gift for his father, preferably in Pearl S. Buck book. We had "The Good Earth" in stock, so I wrapped it for mailing to Taloga, Oklahoma and that week-end we went to the movie to see "The Good Earth" for our first date!
      November 25, 1937, Ben and I were married in Butte (Silver Bow County) Montana. We came to Los Angeles and I lived in the house that Ben built for also 36 years. We sold the house and I moved six miles to a one-bedroom apartment in Alhambra where I have live for ten years.
      About the time I moved, in 1975, I attended my 50th High School Class Reunion in MNissoula. I can't believe that was t0 years ago!

By Avis Wheat Davidson
May 1985


More About Benjamin Franklin Davidson:
Burial: Rose Hills Cemetery, Whitter, California
     
Children of Benjamin Davidson and Avis Wheat are:
+ 66 i.   Benjamin Earl4 Davidson, born 14 Jun 1940 in White Memorial Hospital in Boyed Heights.
+ 67 ii.   Frank Adelbert Davidson, born 26 Jul 1943 in Queen of Angels Hospital, Los Angeles, California.
+ 68 iii.   John Edward Davidson, born 15 Sep 1946 in Queen of Angels Hospital, Los Angeles, California.


      15. Robert Martin3 Davidson (Benjamin Franklin2, Benjamin (Frank) Franklin1) was born 1909.
     
Children of Robert Martin Davidson are:
+ 69 i.   Fern4 Davidson.
  70 ii.   Helen Davidson. She married Ellsworth.
+ 71 iii.   Linda Davidson.


      16. Joseph Chester3 Davidson (Benjamin Franklin2, Benjamin (Frank) Franklin1) was born 1911, and died 1955 in Bell Gardens, California. He married Estell.
     
Child of Joseph Davidson and Estell is:
+ 72 i.   Benita4 Davidson.


      18. Kenneth Arthur3 Davidson (Benjamin Franklin2, Benjamin (Frank) Franklin1) was born 1914. He married Melody.
     
Child of Kenneth Davidson and Melody is:
  73 i.   Daughter4 Davidson. She married Hudgins.


      19. Laura M.3 Davidson (Benjamin Franklin2, Benjamin (Frank) Franklin1) was born 1916, and died 1982 in Visalia, California. She married Haggard.
     
Child of Laura Davidson and Haggard is:
+ 74 i.   Darlene4 Haggard.


      21. Eva Nancy3 Davidson (Benjamin Franklin2, Benjamin (Frank) Franklin1) was born 1919. She married Demos.
     
Children of Eva Davidson and Demos are:
  75 i.   Phil Davis4 Demos. He married Ella.
  76 ii.   Gary Davis Demos. He married Jeannine.
  77 iii.   Gene Davis Demos. He married Kathy.


      25. Frank Randall3 Dean (Frances Malinda (Fannie)2 Davidson, Benjamin (Frank) Franklin1) was born 08 Jan 1904. He married Beulah Almeda Kerns 1923 in Clinton, Oklahoma.
     
Children of Frank Dean and Beulah Kerns are:
  78 i.   Earl4 Dean. He married Elaine.
  79 ii.   Frank Dean. He married Bonnie.
  80 iii.   Ralph Dean. He married Jean.
  81 iv.   Doris Dean. She married Pat Thomas.


      29. Dale3 Davidson (James (Jim) Jesse2, Benjamin (Frank) Franklin1) He married (1) Dora Ellen Allen. He married (2) Dora.
     
Children of Dale Davidson and Dora Allen are:
  82 i.   Cherly4 Davidson.
  83 ii.   Carole Davidson.
  84 iii.   Lyndale Ranae Davidson.


      38. Agnes3 Frame (Daisy Paige2 Davidson, Benjamin (Frank) Franklin1) She married Cross.
     
Child of Agnes Frame and Cross is:
  85 i.   Elizabeth4 Cross.


      42. Trueman Alfred3 Davidson (Thomas (Tom) Jefferson2, Benjamin (Frank) Franklin1) was born 24 Jul 1919 in Eldorado, Kansas, and died 1996 in Doctors Memorial Hospital, Modesto, California. He married Bessie Fern Showalter 24 Jul 1940 in Thomas, Oklahoma, daughter of Edward Showalter and Ethel Brubaker. She was born 02 Aug 1920 in Thomas, Ok, Mon. 7:35 AM per fam Bible.

More About Trueman Alfred Davidson:
Burial: Turlock Memorial Cemetary, Turlock, California
     
Children of Trueman Davidson and Bessie Showalter are:
+ 86 i.   Eletha Fern4 Davidson, born 20 Jul 1941 in Thomas, Oklahoma.
+ 87 ii.   Katherine Darlene Davidson, born 02 Jul 1943 in Modesto, California.
+ 88 iii.   Rayford Eugene Davidson, born 31 Oct 1945 in Modesto, California.
+ 89 iv.   Kenneth Leon Davidson, born 07 Dec 1946 in Modesto, California.

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