Leon Davidson was born April 20, 1920 in LaCrosse, Arkansas, the son of Conrad and Lucy Gardner Davidson. He came to Beloit seeking more education than was available in Arkansas and stayed with two aunts. They could not afford to pay his tuition at Beloit High School because he was not a legal resident here.

Eager to learn, Leon studied at the Vocational and Adult School, learning carpentry, woodworking and welding. He got a job at a downtown dry cleaning establishment and found a second job in Rockford. In between work hours, he studied.

After a series of part-time jobs in his early years, Leon became employed by Fairbanks Morse where he worked for 24 years before the entrepreneurial spirit propelled him into his first business venture. He peddled fresh fish up and down the streets of Beloit, an experience that taught him much about business, and earned him many faithful friends because of his honesty and customer service.

Leon built houses in the Athletic Avenue area during the 1950’s and opened D&W Grocery Store in 1962. That led to Davidson Variety Store which was the forerunner of Davidson Square, an east side business complex which included Mr. D’s Den (formerly the Socialite Club).

For more than 50 years Leon was a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church. He became active in numerous organizations, serving on many boards including area economic development organizations in Rock, Boone and Winnebago counties. He was on the Governor’s Committee for Minority Business, the Opportunities Industrialization Committee, Neighborhood Housing, NAACP, Optimist Club, W.B. Kennedy Masonic Lodge, Taurus Club, the Elks Lodge and other organizations.

In leisure hours, Leon was on a local bowling ream and became known as “The Killer” for his outstanding, yet comical bowling skills.

Leon married Lillian Bandy and they had four children, Steven Davidson, Cherie Brownlee, Peggy Humphrey and Jo Marie Golden.

Leon died August 28, 2004 at the age of 74.