Alexander Davis
Encyclopedia
Alexander Mathews Davis (January 17, 1833 – September 25, 1889) was a nineteenth century politician and lawyer from Virginia
.
. 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.
Virginia
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...
.
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 CollegeEmory and Henry College
Emory & Henry College, known as E&H, Emory, or the College, is a private liberal arts college located in Emory, Virginia, United States. The campus comprises of Washington County, Virginia, which is part of the mountain region of Southwest Virginia...
. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1854, commencing practice in Wytheville, Virginia
Wytheville, Virginia
Wytheville is a town in Wythe County, Virginia, United States. The population was 8,211 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Wythe County. The town is home to a Chautauqua Festival, held the third weekend in June every year since 1985...
, later moving to Independence, Virginia
Independence, Virginia
Independence is a town in Grayson County, Virginia, United States. The population was 971 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Grayson County. Independence is home to a major town celebration on July 4 every year, held in front of the 1908 courthouse. It features bluegrass and old-time...
.
At the outbreak of the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Davis served in the Confederate Army
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
as captain of Company C of the 45th Regiment
45th Virginia Infantry
The 45th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment raised in the Commonwealth of Virginia for service in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War...
, Virginia Infantry in 1861, later promoted to major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
in 1862 and lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
in 1864. He was captured near the end of the war and was held prisoner on Johnson's Island
Johnson's Island
Johnson's Island is a island in Sandusky Bay, located on the coast of Lake Erie, 3 miles from the city of Sandusky, Ohio. It was the site of a prisoner-of-war camp for Confederate officers captured during the American Civil War. Johnson's Island was the only Union prison exclusively for Southern...
.
After his release, Davis served in the Virginia Senate from 1869 to 1871 and was elected as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
to the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in 1873, serving until 1874. Afterward, he resumed practicing law until his death in Independence, Virginia
Independence, Virginia
Independence is a town in Grayson County, Virginia, United States. The population was 971 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Grayson County. Independence is home to a major town celebration on July 4 every year, held in front of the 1908 courthouse. It features bluegrass and old-time...
on September 25, 1889. He was interred in Davis Family Cemetery.