The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-03-20
JOHN JAMES Davis
DIES AT GLARK k
Was Dean of Harrison Co.
Bar And Lawyer of
. Great Ability.

cLARKsBURG, March 2O.-Hon:
John J. Davis, pioneer resident of this
city, and one of the prominent men OF
the south, died at his home here yes
terday. The end was not unexpected
for he had been critically Ill for a mum
her of weeks and for seven weeks had
been confined to his bed. Last might
1t was announced that the funeral Will
be held on Wednesday.
The end came yesterday afternoon
at 3.45, when practically every mem
Der of the family surrounded his bed
side. ~ s,..
John James Davis was born May 5.
1885, in Clarksburg. Virginia, CHOW
west virginia) the son OF John and
Elizabeth a. (Steen) Davis. He was
a membe1S Of one of the Oldest and
most noted families Of Harrison coun-
ty. His paternal grandfather, Caleb
Davis, was a native Of Maryland and a
descendant Of English and Welsh an
cestors who, in their day and genera
ton, were esteemed for their sterling
qualities and strength Of character,
rather than for their worldly posses.
sions, though these were always Of
magnitude sufficient to place them in
comfortable circumstances.
John and Elizabeth A. Davis were
the parents OF the following child
rem: Mary Catherine, who died In IN
fancy; Jane Steen, who died at the
age Of 20; Sarah Elizabeth. who also
died while but child; John James.
whose death Clarksburg now mourns !;
Rein c., who became one OF the most
noted 5urists Of Kentucky and who
died in 1910 at his home in Louis.
Vile; Anna e., who was married 10
the Rev. r. A. Blackford, and is still
living at Baltimore. All these child
rem were trained by their parents in
those principles OF Christianity 70
which they so devoutly adhered. me
date OF Mrs. Davis death was May 3,
1866, and that of MIR. Davis November
3, 1863. They left to their children
not only comfortable patrimony, but
the priceless heritage OF q good name.
John James Davis received his pre-
paratory education at the old North.
western Virginia academy. in this city,
which stood on the site of.the present
Tower school. His professional train
ing was Obtained at the law school
of Judge John w. peterborough.
which afterwards became the law de-
partment Of the, Washington and Lee
university, at Lexington, Virginia.
Immediately after he was graduated
INT. Davis entered upon q career OF
active practice which has onlybeen in.
terrupted by his service in the legts-
1ature OF Virginia and West Virginia,
his two terms in Congress and which
was brought to a close only by his last
illness. When compelled by illness to
leave his office, Mr.. Davis was senior
In the aw firm or Davis, swartZ and
Templeman, and was the Oldest pract
ticing lawyer, both in age and In NUM-
Der OF years of practice, In the state
OF West Virginia. His legal career
was one Of continuous success. 4
Possessing as he did the judicial
Temperament; an aptitude for crap.
pling with detail, a broad and icompre-
hensive grasp of every question sub.
mitted for his consideration, and u
style OF argument ever logical. forci-
BILE and clear, Mr.. Davis made him
self q legal power to be feared by op.
posing council at the bar and to be
trusted implicitly by his clients. At the
Harrison county bal. which for three
generations has ranged higher Id abiI.
itys and power than perhaps any other
in the state, Mr.. Davis has long been
regarded as one of the lead erss In.
deed, Sits iss doubt fd1 IL here is living in
West Virginia tod o. 1aWyer who has
saE etrongers grasp of the 4prtneip Of
Z Observation-Disclosures WI NET nile