The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-07-14

afflicted with the carbuncle. His last hours
were calm and peaceful.
David Davis, formerly an Associate JUS
tice of the United States Supreme Court, and
Senator from Illinois, was a native Of
Maryland. He was born in 1885, and at the
date of his death was in the seventy-second
year Of his age. His father was wealthy
farmer. Mr.. Davis received an academical
education, and graduated from the we'll
known Episcopal college of Kenyon. He then
studied law, and after his admission to
the bar, moved to Bloomington, I'LL !,
where he has ever since resided. MIR. Davis
entered on practi:e, and early obtained, for
the times, a lucrative professional success.
He devoted himself very largely to real es-
tate law, in which he was always esteemed q
great authority. Like most young and ca
pable attorneys of the period and region, he
soon entered on public life. He identified
himself with the Wing party, and
served several terms in the State Leg
islature He was an early friend and
associate Of Mr.. Lincoln. Mr.. Davis was
elected to- the State Constitutional Conven-
ton of 1S47 and therein held a leading place.
Shortly after, he was elected District Judge
and retired from active politics, though dur
ing the early years of the Republican
organization he became identified there
with Judge Davis was good busi-
mes, man, and from his early
settlement at Bloomington became q large
owner of land. His real possessions have
teen estimated at &c., QUO acres. He owned
a considerable amount of property in the en-
terprising city where he lived and in Chi
cago He was always known as public
sni,ited citizen, as we'll as man of kindly
disposition.
Une OF Mr.. Lincoln's earlier appointments
was Of Judge Davis, who, in 1862, was nom-
mated and confirmed as Associate Justice Of
the Supreme Court Justice Davis served
fourteen years. or until 1876, when he re-
signed his seat on the bench to take the posi-
ton of Senator from Illinois in the United
States Senate He was elected as an Inde-
pendent through the votes Of the DEM
ocrats and number Of anti-Logan Republi-
cans. In 1872 Judge Davis was nominated at
Columbus as the Greenback Labor Reform
candidate for President. 1t will be remem-
bered that though Judge Davis had dexpressed
decided Greenback views, he never definitely
accepted or declined the nomination rendered
him.
On March 4, 1888, Judge Davis was sue
ceeded in the Senate by Ex-Governor Shelby
W. Cullom Judge Davis's appearance in
the Senate has been thus described:
He weighs about 2i0 pounds. He usually
walks to and from the Capitol, and moves
around the Sanate chamber like an over
grown schoclboy. He has q Roman cast
of features. His eyes are blue, and are
shaded by bushy iron-grey eyebrows.
His cheeks are tringed with gray whiskers,
and his lip is clean shayen. His
head is thatched with straight gray hair: He
smokes a meerschaum pipe with long
cherry stem and All amber mouthpiece.
He is courteous in manner and a genial
conversationaliSt. No man is surrounded
by more attached friends. He is plainly
dressed, and has the appearance Of
a well-to do farmer His favorite novel is
sDavid Copperfield," though he has great
fondness for Thackeray and Walter Scott
He is not church member, but he usually
attends Presbyterian services.
Asa United States Senator his position
was an anomaly. During portion of his
term he held the balance Of power. He was
elected President pro tenn of the Senate, and
served as such for about four years Mr..
Davis did not take o very active
part as O dehater, but was vigI-
endeavored to secure reorganization Of the
federal judiciary, and his plan is still being
considered. The Senator was nau of strik-
ing physique, being tall of stature, large
frame and very corpulent
After his retirement to private life in 1881
Mr. Davis devoted himself to the care Of his
large estate. In 1882 he surprised the country,
as we'll as his friends, by marrying again, he
having been for a number of years a
widower. After his marriage the ex-senator
and bride travelled extensively, visiting
Europe and the Orient. Judge Davis, as
a jurisprudent, was we'll read and scholarly
with wide grasp Of legal principles and
keen, logical, judicial power Of statement. AS
q Senator he showed the same traits. Per-
sonally, he was man of attractive disposi-
tion, an excellent conversationalist,a a dry wit,
and, like most Western lawyers Of promi-
nence, an excellent story teller.
Messages of condolence were received at
Bloomington from ex-President Arthur, Sem
ators Sherman, Edmunds and Logan, e1-
Senator Conkling, Attorney General Garland
and others. ell speaking in the highest terms
of the ability and honesty of the dead jurist.