John J. Davis (congressman)
Encyclopedia
John James Davis was an attorney and politician in West Virginia
who served as a United States Representative in Congress from that state.
(now West Virginia), he attended the Northwestern Virginia Academy at Clarksburg, and was graduated from the Lexington Law School (now the law department of Washington and Lee University
) in 1856; was admitted to the bar in 1856 and commenced practice in Clarksburg, Virginia.
in 1861 and was a member of the first convention looking toward the formation of a new State loyal to the Union, from counties of western Virginia, held April 22, 1861.
Davis was a delegate from Harrison County
to the Wheeling convention June 11, 1861 and also to the Democratic National Conventions in 1868, 1876 and 1892. He served as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
in 1869 and 1870.
and re-elected as an Independent Democrat to the 43rd Congress
, he was not a candidate for renomination in 1874.
, Harrison County
on March 19, 1916 and was interred in Odd Fellows Cemetery.
, who followed in his father's footsteps as a lawyer and congressman.
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
who served as a United States Representative in Congress from that state.
Early life
John James Davis was born in Clarksburg, VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
(now West Virginia), he attended the Northwestern Virginia Academy at Clarksburg, and was graduated from the Lexington Law School (now the law department of Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University is a private liberal arts college in Lexington, Virginia, United States.The classical school from which Washington and Lee descended was established in 1749 as Augusta Academy, about north of its present location. In 1776 it was renamed Liberty Hall in a burst of...
) in 1856; was admitted to the bar in 1856 and commenced practice in Clarksburg, Virginia.
State politics
Davis became a member of the Virginia House of DelegatesVirginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
in 1861 and was a member of the first convention looking toward the formation of a new State loyal to the Union, from counties of western Virginia, held April 22, 1861.
Davis was a delegate from Harrison County
Harrison County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 68,652 people, 27,867 households, and 19,088 families residing in the county. The population density was 165 people per square mile . There were 31,112 housing units at an average density of 75 per square mile...
to the Wheeling convention June 11, 1861 and also to the Democratic National Conventions in 1868, 1876 and 1892. He served as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
West Virginia House of Delegates
The West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
in 1869 and 1870.
National politics
He was elected as a Democrat to the 42nd Congress42nd United States Congress
The Forty-second United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1871 to March 3, 1873, during the third and fourth...
and re-elected as an Independent Democrat to the 43rd Congress
43rd United States Congress
The Forty-third United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1873 to March 4, 1875, during the fifth and sixth...
, he was not a candidate for renomination in 1874.
Later years
His political years over, Davis resumed the practice of law in Clarksburg, West Virginia.Death
Davis died in ClarksburgClarksburg
Clarksburg may refer to some places in the United States of America:*Clarksburg, California**Clarksburg AVA, an American Viticultural Area*Clarksburg, former name of Clarksville, California*Clarksburg, Indiana*Clarksburg, Maryland...
, Harrison County
Harrison County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 68,652 people, 27,867 households, and 19,088 families residing in the county. The population density was 165 people per square mile . There were 31,112 housing units at an average density of 75 per square mile...
on March 19, 1916 and was interred in Odd Fellows Cemetery.
Personal life
He was the father of John W. DavisJohn W. Davis
John William Davis was an American politician, diplomat and lawyer. He served as a United States Representative from West Virginia , then as Solicitor General of the United States and US Ambassador to the UK under President Woodrow Wilson...
, who followed in his father's footsteps as a lawyer and congressman.