The following has been submitted by the Logan County History Center:
By: Mary E. Mortimer
The F.N. Davidson Jewelry & Gift Shop was in operation on W. Columbus Ave. in Bellefontaine for over sixty years. They offered fine jewelry, specialty gifts, clocks, watches, and watch repair.
Originally from Brown County, Florenz Newton Davidson began his watchmaking and repair career in Bellefontaine in 1909. He was first associated with A.P. Humphrey Jewelers, Coleman and Hines Co., and Millers Jewelers. Davidson operated a jewelry store in West Liberty for a couple of years, and then in October 1915, he opened a jewelry and gift store at 143 W. Columbus Ave.
After serving in WWI, Davidson attended and graduated from the Bradley Polytechnic Institute of Peoria, Illinois, in 1924. He received letters of commendation from its president for his watchmaking skills. Davidson was also certified by the Horological Institute of America Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC. After receiving his degrees, Davidson worked at the Hoffman-Green Jewelry Co. in Springfield, Ohio, doing watch repair until mid-1929.
In September 1929, he returned to Bellefontaine and opened the F.N. Davidson Jewelry & Gift Shop at 138 W. Columbus Ave. His store offered fine jewelry, watches, clocks, silverware, cut glass, and various novelties. In February 1939, he moved his store to 109 W. Columbus Ave, where he ran the business until his death in 1953. Davidson’s son, George, and his wife, Thelma, then took over the business and ran it until they retired and sold the business to Patricia Callahan in 1990. She continued to run the store for a couple of years.
One of the most notable features of the F.N. Davidson Jewelry and Gift Shop was the grandfather-style clock that was handcrafted by F. N. Davidson between the years 1925 and 1939. “The large dial of the clock gives the minutes of the hour on Roman Numerals around its edge, the hour is given on the bottom of the two smaller dials, and the seconds are given on the upper of the two small dials. The clock runs for eight days as the weight descends once. The weight is returned to the top by a key winding mechanism.” Davidson received a letter of commendation from the Elgin Watchmakers College for his clock. His Precision Clock is now located in the Bellefontaine Masonic Temple
Visit the Logan County History Center to learn more interesting aspects of Logan County History. The History Center is open for tours Wednesday – Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Admission is free.
