The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-03-24
DEATH OF PROF. DAVIS
Famous South Carolina Educator
Passes to His Reward.

Famous South Carolina Educator
Passes to His Reward.
The death last week Of Prof. R.
Means Davis, of the South Carolina
College. was a severe loss to the
State of South Carolina. He was an
educator of the highest rank: and
gentleman of the old Southern school.
The loss will be felt keenly by all the
people OF South Carolina.
A USEFUL LIFE.
Robert Means Davis was born in
Fairfield district, April 9, 1S49. being
the eldest son of Isabella Harper and
Henry C. Davis, whose grandfather
came from Maryland to Laurens dis
trict He received his early educa-
tion from private tutors, and after
wards attended the noted school con-
Quoted by Mr.. Octavius 7. Porcher
at Wellington in Abbeville district.
His preparation for college was
had at the Mt. Zion Collegiate Insti-
tute. then under the charge Of Mr.. G.
A. Woodward, a teacher of rare abili-
ty and eminent success. Entering
the University of South Carolina, the
immediate successor of the old col
lege, in 1867 he graduated therefrom
with the degree of bachelor of arts.
After two years spent in teaching in
California. he returned to South Caro-
lima, and re-entering the University
pursued the law course and took the
degree OF bachelor of law.
After a short time spent in teach
ing Mr.. Davis became editor of the
News and Herald, the Fairfield coun-
ty paper. In 1876 he served on the
editorial staff of the News and Cour-
ier. but relinquished that connection
to do service as secretary Of the
State Democratic executive commit
tee, charged with the campaign
which resulted in the election OF
Wade Hampton as governor.
In January. 1877, Mr.. Davis re-
sumed the editorship Of the Winns-
boro News and Herald, and continued
in that work until his election to
professorship in the South Carolina
College. Early in 1877, the Mount
Zion Institute losing its principal by
death, Mr. Davis was placed in charge
of that institution. and there contin-
ued until he took his chair in the col
lege faculty.
On his suggestion, heartily second
ed by the community, the Mount Zion
school was converted into a graded
school supported by special tax. the
first Of it's kind outside the city OF
Charleston.
For several years he was a mem
Der of the county board Of examiners
for Fairfield county. and served on
the State board of education from
1882 to 1890. He was for several
terms president of the South Carolina
Teachers Association. and taught in
the first State teachers institute.
held in Spartanburg in 1880.
In 1882 Prof. Davis was elected to
the chair Of history and political
economy in the South Carolina Col
lege. and was in the active work OF
that position when his last illness
came on.
Prof. Davis was married January
-. 1877. to Miss Sallie LeConte,
daughter of Prof. Joseph LeConte, for
some years a professor in the South
Carolina College. later in the Univer-
sity of California, and a man Of ma
tional reputation in the department
OF science. or this union there have
been six children. all living-Mr. JOS.
LeConte Davis. of the General Electri-
cal Works, of Schenectady. \. V;
Prof. H. c. Davis. of the University
of Washington at Seattle: Mr.. r.
Means Davis. Jr.. now with E. W. Sci
bells & Son of this city. and three
daughters. Misses Isabel, Bessie and
Salle. OF his generation there are
two brothers, James O., Of Winns-
boro. and Capt. Henry c., of the Uni
ted States army. and two sisters. Mrs.
Gailard, wife of Col. David d. Gail
lard, u S. A.. and Mrs. w. Herbert