Born in Giles County, Tennessee, Joseph Peter Davidson moved to Texas and settled in Palo Pinto County about 1856. He established a trading post near this site, and in 1865 he started a ranch in present Eastland County and later helped organize the county. He served as official surveyor of the Palo Pinto Land District and as Eastland County surveyor. He also helped establish a Methodist church and Masonic lodge. Married three times, he had 14 children. Davidson and many of his descendants are buried in the family cemetery near his Palo Pinto County homestead.