Vertical File Biographies

This is an individual biography from the vertical file of biographical information, primarily newspaper clippings, created by the Kansas State Histocial Society Library and Archives division. This is a concise version--there may be more information in this or other sources.

Clyde O. Davidson

In 1966 at the age of 83, Clyde O. Davidson of Columbus, Kansas had his first novel published. Davidson, a retired teacher and school administrator, worked on the book for twenty years before completing it. Entitled “Neosho,” it’s the story of Neosho Valley, Kansas, during the last third of the 19th century and tells of roving bands of outlaws who rode into the area from the Indian territory to steal and murder the settlers.

Mr. Davidson was considered the wonder of Columbus in 1966 for even at his advanced age, he gave piano and voice lessons, did oil painting and was writing addition novels.

His wife had died several years before, but he stayed much too busy to be lonesome.

He was born on a farm near Columbus in 1882 and in his youth, often heard stories from early settlers about life in Kansas when it was a territory and during early statehood. He used many of these stories in his novel. Although all of the places and characters in his book were real, he has given them fictitious names.

Clyde Davidson was expected to follow in his father’s footsteps and run the family farm and therefore entered Kansas Agricultural College after high school. But other interests emerged - music, drawing, writing - and in 1910 he finished college with a degree in music. He returned to Columbus where he taught music and later became high school principal and ultimately superintendent of schools. During this time, he also ran the family farm!

He was a great proponent of the arts, bring concerts and art exhibits to the community and directing civic orchestral and coral groups. He continued to be in the forefront of art in Columbia after his formal retirement in 1953, giving private music lessons, entering his paintings in art exhibits and writing novels.

Source: “Novel Published By Kansan, 83,” Wichita Eagle-Beacon, 16 January 1966.

The vertical file is on forty-three microfilm reels arranged alphabetically by name. These reels are available through interlibrary loan, or you may contact the reference staff . Please note that many of the clippings had yellowed and it may be impossible to produce a readable photocopy.

Completion of this biography was made possible by volunteer Frank Sotrines.