John W. Davis (governor)

Infobox Governor
honorific-prefix =
name = John W. Davis
honorific-suffix =


state_senate = Rhode Island
district =
term_start =
term_end =
preceded =
succeeded =
order2 = 38^th & 41^st
office2 = Governor of Rhode Island
term_start2 = 29 May, 1887
term_end2 = 29 May, 1888
27 May, 1890 - 26 May, 1891
lieutenant2 =
predecessor2 = George P. Wetmore
Herbert W. Ladd
successor2 = Royal C. Taft
Herbert W. Ladd
birth_date = Birth date|1826|3|7
birth_place = Rehoboth, Massachusetts, USA
death_date = Death date and age|1907|1|26|1826|3|7
death_place =
restingplace = Riverside Cemetery, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA [cite news |first= |last= |coauthors= |title=Davis, John William (1826-1907) |date= |publisher= |url=http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/davis5.html#RKK0YGHMI |work=The Political Graveyard |pages= |accessdate=2008-09-18 |language=]
restingplacecoordinates =
birthname = John William Davis
nationality = American
party = Democratic
otherparty =
spouse = Lydia W. Kenyon, Emily P. Goffe
partner =
relations =
children =
residence = Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA
alma_mater =
occupation = Mason, teacher
profession =
net worth =
cabinet =
committees =
portfolio =
religion = Episcopalian


website =
footnotes =
nickname =
allegiance = United States of America
branch = National Guard
serviceyears = 1861–1865
rank =
unit = Rhode Island National Guard
commands =
battles = American Civil War
awards =

John William Davis (March 7, 1826 - January 26, 1907) was a United States Democratic politician, who served as Governor of Rhode Island for two occasions (1887-1888 and 1890-1891).

Early life

Born in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, Davis attended public schools in Rehoboth and a private school in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Before entering politics, he was engaged in various occupations, like mechanical masonry, teaching, and grain dealing.

Civil War

During the American Civil War, he served in Rhode Island National Guard.

Political career

His first public office was a seat in the Pawtucket Town Council, over which body he presided for two years.

For a number of years he was a Rhode Island State Senator, before he was appointed by fellow Democratic President Grover Cleveland as an Appraiser of Foreign Merchandise for the Providence U.S. Customs District.

Davis became Democratic gubernatorial nominee in 1887 and defeated incumbent Republican George P. Wetmore. In his bid Davis was supported by many Republicans, who were dissatisfied.

During his first term as chief executive, Rhode Island approved the Women’s Suffrage Amendment to the state constitution. Also he presided over establishment of the boundary line between Rhode Island and Connecticut and reform of election law to eliminate frauds. Despite these record, Davis was defeated for re-election in 1888 by Republican candidate Royal C. Taft. His comeback attempt in 1889 was also failed.

Davis, however, was elected Governor again in 1890 and served until 1891. During his second administration the governor was given authorization to appoint a commission to revise and codify general statutes, and funds were appropriated for completion of a Soldiers’ Home.

Governor Davis was defeated for re-election once again in 1891, but didn't retire from active politics, being elected to the State Senate and Mayor of Pawtucket in 1897.

Personal life

Davis was married three times: to Lydia W. Kenyon (died 1859); Emily P. Goffe, two children; and Marietta P. Pearse.

Religion

He was raised as Methodist, later became Episcopalian.

References

*Mohr, Ralph S. "Governors for Three Hundred Years (1638-1954): Rhode Island and Providence Plantations". State of Rhode Island, Graves Registration Committee, August 1954.
*"The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Vol. 9". New York: James T. White & Company.
*Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. "Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 4". Westport, CT: Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.

External links

* [http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.29fab9fb4add37305ddcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=6a0dc2da2484b010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e449a0ca9e3f1010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD NGA Biography]