Alexander Davis (politician)

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
Branch/service	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 Congress. "Alexander Davis (id: D000091)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2008-09-27