Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-08-15
DEATH OF WOODBURY. DA VIS.

DEATH OF WOODBURY. DA WIS.
We are panied to announce the death, on
Sunday evening, of Hon. Woodbury. Davis of
Portland. 1t has been known for some time
that his days were nearly numbered. His
health has been feeble many years, but re-
Gently his disease, which was an internal
cancerous affection, developed more rapidly,
| SO that his decease was not unexpected. The
Portland Press of yesterday published the
following sketch of Mr.. Davis:
Judge Davis was born in Standish, in this
county, July %, 1918, AID was therefore lit
tie over SO years of age When he was three
years old his father removed to Brooks, Waldo
county, where he grew up, laying the founda-
ton of his education at the public schools, as
opportunity allowed him to enjoy their advan
tages. He studied law with Nehemiah Abbott
of Belfast, and entered upon the practice of
his profession in that city. In 1913 he mar
ried. In January, 1855, he was chosen State
Treasurer, and March following, removed
from Belfast and made Portland his residence.
In September of the same year he was ap-
pointed by Gov Morrill,, one of the Judges of
the Supreme Court of Maine, and resigned
the State Treasurership. At the annual cleo
ton of that year the people adopted an
amendment to the State Constitution, which
made certain officers. heretofore appointed
by the Governor elective by the people
and the question arose as to when it went
into effect and its operation upon the APP
pointing power of the Governor in the
interim. Gov. Wells held the opinion that it
did not take away the appointing power, and
he removed certain officers, among them the
late Seward M. Baker, then Sheriff of Cum
berland County, and nominated Daniel c.
Emery of Gorham, in his stead. Mr.. Baker
refused to yield and Mr. Emery took possess
ion OF the Jail by force. This brought the
question before the Supreme Court in such a
manner that Judge Davis was obliged to give
an opinion and he decided in favor of Mr..
Baker. For this Judge Wells, on an address
of the Legislature. removed Judge Davis from
office. His defence before the Legisla-
tive convention will long be remembered
as one of the most exciting incidents in our
legislative history. The novelty of the ques-
ton and the great ability of Judge Davis
counsel-Rufus Choate, Henry w. Paine and
+. o. J. Smith-gaye this trial, if itcan be so
designated, remarkable degree of promi-
nence, and attracted the attention of poll
tcans and jurists in all parts of the country.
The next year, it will be remembered. the
political character Of the State was changed,
and Gov. Hamlin re-appointed Judge Davis
to the Supreme bench. He performed the
duties of the office in such manner as to be
re-appointed in 1864 with the concurrence OF
members of the bar of all parties. The salary
of the office was then $500, and in Dec,
1865, Judge Davis resigned in consequence
Of its inadequacy and resumed practice, form.
ing co-partnershp with Moses M. Butler
In the spring of 1866, on the resignation Of
Mayor A. T. Dole, Judge Davis was appoint
e ed Postmaster of Portland, and relinquished
the law. After the great fire, finding that the
duties of the Office would leave some time
for the practice of his profession, and as Mr.
Butler had temporarily retired on account OF
i'll health, a copartnership was formed Hon.
e Josiah H. Drummond, which lasted until the
d present time. In the summer of 1870 Judge
), Davis received his commission for second
VI term of Office. He was also one of the Com.
l. missioners of the Building Loan, in conjunc
d ton with A. X. Shurtleff and the late Eber
Steele.
10 Judge Davis always took an active part il
the temperance reform, and was instrumental
vi to large degree in shaping the Legislation
T. of the State upon that question He was ais
re- an original Anti Slavery man, and one of tn,
founders of the Republican party, for tina
~ radical political movement had its birth il
IS Maine, as did compulsory temperance legisla
an ton. He was graceful and forcible writer
He wrote much for the newspapers of his ma
'e tive State and for the N Y. Independent, an
he contributed frequently to the pages of maya
M zines and religious periodicals. A few year
ago he published volume of religious char
IL acter entitled The Beautiful City, but it neve
n tcame under the writer's notice. In his thee
st logical views Judge Davis was Congrega
tionalist amember of the State St., Church an
c for number of years one of the deacons. ii
n lived faithfully up to his professions, an
N there are few among us who have maintane,
a purer record. We must leave the work G
- presenting his inner life and character to som
i, one who knew him intimately. We speak c
him as we have known him, as public ma
y and citizen for more than fifteen years II
e has left reputation bright and unsullied.