Alexander Davis

For the architect (1803-1892), see Alexander Jackson Davis.
Alexander David
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 5th district
In office
March 4, 1873  March 5, 1874
Preceded by Richard T.W. Duke
Succeeded by Christopher Thomas
Member of the Virginia Senate from Grayson, Carroll and Wythe Counties
In office
1869–1871
Preceded by District established
Succeeded by Abner Nowlin
Personal details
Born January 17, 1833
Old Mount Airy, Wythe County, Virginia
Died September 25, 1889(1889-09-25) (aged 56)
Independence, Virginia
Political party Democratic
Other political
affiliations
Conservative Democrat (1869–1871)
Alma mater Emory and Henry College
Profession lawyer
Military service
Allegiance Confederate States of America
Service/branch Confederate Army
Years of service 1861–1865
Rank Lieutenant colonel
Unit 45th Virginia Infantry
Battles/wars American Civil War

Alexander Mathews Davis (January 17, 1833 September 25, 1889) was a nineteenth-century politician and lawyer from Virginia.

Biography

Born in Old Mount Airy, Virginia, Davis attended the old field schools and was privately tutored as a child and went on to graduate from Emory and Henry College. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1854, commencing practice in Wytheville, Virginia, later moving to Independence, Virginia.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Davis served in the Confederate Army as captain of Company C of the 45th Regiment, Virginia Infantry in 1861, later promoted to major in 1862 and lieutenant colonel in 1864. He was captured near the end of the war and was held prisoner on Johnson's Island.

After his release, Davis served in the Virginia Senate from 1869 to 1871 and was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives in 1873, serving until 1874. Afterward, he resumed practicing law until his death in Independence, Virginia on September 25, 1889. He was interred in Davis Family Cemetery.

Election of 1872

Davis was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives with 50.55% of the vote, defeating Conservative Christopher Yancy Thomas; however, Thomas successfully contested the result and was seated.

External links

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Richard T. W. Duke
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 5th congressional district

1873–1874
Succeeded by
Christopher Thomas


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