Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-11-26
DEATH OF MAJOR JOHN II.
DAVIS,
Late Of Memphis and Father-in-
Law Of Gov. Marks.
Nashville Banner. 2l.l

Nashville Banner, 24.l
We have the sad duty to announce
the death Of Major j. Il. Davis, near
Winchester, Franklin county, which
occurred on the night of the 22nd, at
IL o'clock pm, at the residence Of
Gov. Marks, who was his son-in- law.
He was born on the 22d ofSeptember,
1920, near LaGuardo, Wilson county,
Tennessee. Ills grandfather was in
the battle Of Kings Mountain, and
died, while on his way from North
Carolina to Tennessee, in 1895. His
widow, with her children, prosecuted
their journey aud located at French
Lick, now Nashville. She then re
moved near the Hermitage, and there
reared her family, Her son, Captain
Thomas Davis, settled near La
Guardo, in Wilson county, Tennessee,
where she lived until his death,
to an advanced age. He was prosper
GUS, and left a good estate. Major
John R, Davis was the son of Captain
Tom Davis. He was educated at
Princeton, Kentucky, aud Lebanon,
Tennessee. Up to the beginning Of
the war he was engaged in agriculture,
and in 1880 be represented Wilson
county in the lower branch Of the
legislature. In 1861 he entered the
army as captain Of a company il
Starnes regiment Of cavalry. In 1862
he recruited a battalion Of cavalry and
took command of It with the rank oil
major. He continued in active
service until his health broke DOVE IN
1863. From that time up to his death
his health remained %precarious. He
was q member OF the Cumberland
Presbyterian church from his boy
hood, and was an elder in that church
Tor a number OF years.
Major D Wis vas a man Of unusual
character and ability. A man o.
splendid physique, he attracted attsn
ton wherever he went. lie was o
remarkably handsome man physically,
and his mental qualities fulfilled the
promise Of his cOuntenaDce. Cour-
ieous to all, courtly in his manners.
eloquent and refined. he was the Gym
osure of all eyes wherever he went
before broken down bylong continued
ill health. In the legislature q
lS50r6o he stood pre-eminent, and
was one Of the acknowledged leaders
of that collection Of young men.
That was one Of the most extraordi
nary sessions ever held in I n
nessoe. The sectional troubles were
then shaping themselves into war, and
Gov. Harris brought the legislature
together three time. in one year in ex-
traordinary session. The first meeting
continued six months, so that il m:y
be said thai it lasted all the year.
During all that time Major Davis was
never absent from his seat when a vote
was taken. 1t was the habit Of the
younger men Of hat body during the
delivery Of a long and prOsy speech, TO
adjourn TO a committe room to smoke
and haye a good time generally. At
the call of the speaker, they would
rush in and get the cue for a vote from.
either Major Davis or Woodward, of
Robinson, both OF whom always sat l.
out. He was a great favorite with
the younger members, being young
himself, but possessed Of more steadi-
ness than others Of his age. 1t vas
during that session when the Louis
vslle and Nashville railroad was fin
ished and the Kentucky legislature
invited them TO a banquet in Louis
vile to celebrate the event. They
there met the legislature Of Kentucky
and had a splendid time, as we are in-
formed BY Governor Porter,
from whom we get these facts.
While still there enjoying the
Inequalities OF the city, a
committee came from Columbus, Ohio,
to deliver an address to the two as
sembled legislatures. Mr.. Garfield, a
young member Of the Ohio legislature.
delivered the address, aud invited
them to Columbus, where the Ohio
legislature vas then in session. The
invitation was accepted aud they re-
paired to Columbus, where they re.
ceiyed every attention Of the Buckeye
slate, and then after a few days Of IN
alleged pleasure, all three legislatures.
in a ~body-eKcept the dead and
wounded, who we're left by the way
side-repairea 70 Cincinnati and spent
another day or tive in banqueiing apd
excursions. 1t was in Cincinnati that
Major Davis delivered an address to
the Buckeyes that, for IFS eloquence
and good taste, was surpassed by no
speech of the occasion.
Every one forgot during those days
Of free and happy intercourse that in
q few months they would be arrayed
against each other in deadly conflict.
When the tocsin Of war sounded
Major Davis was ready to sustain the
cause By bis sword he had so often
upheld with his voice. But, like
many others, his health soon gave
way. His spirit was too great for bis
strength, and he soon contracted a
disease, thct though slow, never left
him until it has compassed his death.
With his failing strength he sue
esmbed % the ills and d~esolation Of
the war. he, the bold and eloquent
SPEAKER, the gallant aud chivalrous
soldier, felt that he had lost all for
which ho had lived and labored.
Though, often besieged to re,enter
the arena Of public life, said Governor
Porter, he could never DO prevailed
on to do so. His fine mind and great
powers were Indifferent to arouse him
from the depression Of defeat.
He loayes a family noted for the in
telligent and suayity Of their manners
TO mourn his loss. Such men do not
live egery day. They seem to come
nov and then TO ralive our poor hu-
man nature from tho reprosch Of de-
generscy. The Banner sends its sin
eerest condolences 70 them in their
bereavement.