Walter Davidson

Second of the Davidson brothers and president of the company, Walter had previously been a machinist in the rail shops of Milwaukee. It was he who built up the first motorcycle that his younger brother, Arthur, and William S. Harley designed. Often described as the most reserved of the four Founders, he turned out to be a highly competent rider, and did well in early endurance race events. Walter was still president of Harley-Davidson when he died in February 1942.