The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Lincoln Township, page 660
Benjamin O. Davison was born Oct. 2, 1833, in Hamilton County, Ohio, a son of Robert and Mary Davison, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Kentucky. In 1837 they came to Hendricks County, Ind., from Ohio, settling near Brownsburg where his father entered 160 acres of uncultivated land. Here they experienced some of the discomforts of pioneer life. Seven children were born to them of whom four are living--Sarah A., Margaret E., John W. and our subject. The latter was reared on a farm in this county. He was married April 10, 1856, to Theressa Shirley, daughter of William P. Shirley, an early settler of Hendricks County. They have three children--William P., Thomas J. and Carrie E. Mr. Davison lived on his farm, one mile north of Brownsburg, until the fall of 1881, when he retired to Brownsburg. He owns a good farm of 125 acres, all under a high state of cultivation. For several years he has served as Elder in the Christian church. Politically he is practically independent.