James O. Davidson was born in 1854 in Norway, where he received little formal education, emigrated in 1872, worked as a farmer and tailor, and came to Soldiers Grove in 1877. A leading merchant there for twenty-three years, "Yim" served as village president, village treasurer, assemblyman, state treasurer, and lieutenant-governor before becoming governor from 1906 to 1911. As governor, he introduced the law providing for bank examiners and promoted legislation giving the railroad commission jurisdiction over most public utilities. He was regarded as visionary and popular without being spectacular, and was known for strong convictions, cool judgment, and keen administrative ability. He died on December 16, 1922 and was buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison.