Arthur Davidson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arthur Davidson
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| Born | February 11, 1881 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
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| Died | December 30, 1950 (aged 69) Wisconsin Highway 59 near Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States
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| Cause of death | Car accident |
| Resting place | Forest Home Cemetery |
| Occupation | Secretary and Sales Manager of Harley-Davidson |
| Years active | 1901–1950 |
| Known for | Co-founder of Harley-Davidson |
| Home town | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Spouse(s) | Clara Beisel |
| Children | Margaret Davidson (daughter) Arthur Davidson Jr. (elder son) James Davidson (younger son) |
| Parent(s) | William C. Davidson (father) Margaret Adams McFarlane (mother) |
| Relatives | William A. Davidson (eldest brother) Walter Davidson Sr. (older brother) |
Arthur Davidson Sr. (born February 11, 1881 – died December 30, 1950) was an American businessman. He was one of the four people who started the famous motorcycle company, Harley-Davidson.
Contents
Early Life and Inspiration
Arthur Davidson was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His father, William C. Davidson, was born in Scotland. His mother, Margaret Adams McFarlane, also had Scottish family roots. Arthur was one of five children. His grandparents moved from Scotland to the United States in 1858, eventually settling in Wisconsin.
In 1903, Arthur teamed up with his friend, William S. Harley, to build motorcycles. They started their business in a small shed in Arthur's family backyard.
Arthur loved fishing in the wild areas of Wisconsin. This hobby gave him an idea: he wanted to create a motorcycle that would "take the hard work out of pedaling a bicycle." He was known as a great storyteller and a good salesman. He was also a strong supporter of the United States.
Supporting the Troops
During World War I and World War II, Arthur and his company stopped making motorcycles for regular customers. Instead, they made them to help the US troops. This was a very important decision. When the soldiers came home, many of them had learned to ride and fix Harley-Davidson motorcycles. This made them want to buy their own, which helped the company grow even more.
The "Honey Uncle" Story
There's a famous family story about Arthur Davidson and how the Harley-Davidson company got its start. One day, Arthur found that the money he had saved to begin the company was missing. It had been hidden under his mattress!
Luckily, Arthur was able to borrow $500 to start the business from an uncle. This uncle owned a bee farm in Madison, Wisconsin. Because he helped the company get off the ground, the uncle became known as the "Honey Uncle." The bee farm where he lived was later sold to the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Today, it is a beautiful area called Picnic Point.
Arthur Davidson is also known for the slogan, "Take the Work out of Bicycling." This idea motivated him and his 21-year-old friend, William S. Harley, as they worked hard in their small 10 by 15-foot shed.
Later Life and Legacy
Arthur Davidson passed away at the age of 69. He was in a car accident on December 30, 1950, near his dairy farm in Wisconsin. His wife, Clara, and two other people also died in the accident. Arthur was survived by his three children: Margaret, Arthur Jr., and James.
Labor Hall of Fame
Arthur Davidson, along with his brothers William A. Davidson and Walter Davidson, and their friend William S. Harley, were honored for their work. They were put into the Labor Hall of Fame. This was because they not only used and believed in their own motorcycles, but they also trusted their employees to build high-quality bikes.
