Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-07-01
4 Historical SIlclcn Of tbc Lifc Of Davis.

a Historical sketch of the Life of Davis
Judge Davis was one of the most distin-
gui-hed ana learned Of our public men.
He first saw the light of day in Cecil
county. Maryland, March 9, 1873, and was
educated at Kenyon college Ohio. lie
studied law with Judge Bishop in Lenox,
Mass and in the law school at New Ha-
veun, Conn. In 1895 he settled az Bloom
ington, H., where he has since resided,
He began active political life in lSl5, be
ing elected member of the lower house
of the Illinois legislature lie was a
member alse Of the constitutional con
veution which framed a new constitution
for the state in 1877 aud in lSiS was
elected Judge of the eighth Judicial cir
cult of IllilOis and reelected in 1856 and
again in 1861.
Judge Davis was q warm personal
friend OF Abraham Lincoln long before
that distinguished man was named for the
presidency and be was one of the most
ardent supporters of Mr.. Lincolus cleo
ton TO that office. As a lawyer Mr. Davis
stood at the head of the bar in Illinois
before he became a Judge, and President
Lincoln, recognizing his gre0t abilities,
appointed him in 1852 an associate jus
tice of the supreme court of the United
States
In 1872 the Judge was strongly urged AZ
a liberal republican candidate for the
presidency, and was nominated by the
labor reform party but the liberal con
ventiOn. which met later, nominated ilor
ace Greeley, and the democratic conyen-
ton endor- I'd him so Judge Davis WAS
Il T-ss a.. sl.4.N B.
was greatly disappointed at the failure Of
the liberal republicans and democrats TO
nominate him for the presidency.
He was though a Republican, favorable
TO the Liberal movement, which was led
by such men o. the late OK GOV FenlOn,
Horace Greeley. Murat Halstead Carl
Schurz, and others, yet h3 predicted that
the movement would fell, because Mr..
Greeley was not the available candidate.
Judge Davis took no part in the campaign
a. matter Of course, holding as he did.
q judicial office, set hc was looked upon
always as n future presidential candidate.
After serving an honorable career Of
fifteen years on the supreme court bench
than which had no more popular member,
Judge Davis resigned 10 accept a seat ~
the United states Senate. He was for
six years one of the most conspicuous
members Of that body. Physically Judge
Davis was the largest man who ever occu-
pied a seat Ia the senate. It was neces
sary. on his admission 70 that body, to
have q chair made large enough for him.
he was elected 20 the senate as an indie
pendent. and acted as one while a mem
Der Mr. Malone. Of Virginia was the
other Independent in the senate. ard the
balance Of power rested with him auo
Judge Davis. After the death of President
Garfield Judge Davis was houored by be-
ing chosen president of the senate, posi-
ton which made him virtually yiee-presi-
dent Of the United States, Mr.. Arthur
having been sworn into the presidency.
As presiding officer be was very popular
Soon after retiring from the presidency
in lss3 the Judge was married in second
nuptials, 70 niece of Judge Green,
member OF congress from an eastern
North Carolina district o lady Of beauty
and culture.
-iuce that time he has resided quietly
1t III. home, Bloomington. IT'D. The iudge
il said 10 have been worth million "