Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-07-12
Story of His Life One of Sue
cess Following on Success,
Has Always Been ''Sought
by the Job"

NEW YORK, July 10.-John Will
liam Davis, the Democratic nominee
for president. was born in Clarks-
burg, w. Va, in 1873, the only son
in a family of six children. His IA
Their, John j. Davis, also a native of
Clarksburg, was an attorney and
was constantly active in civil enter
prises. He served in the legisla-
ture of the state and was twice elect
ed to congress. Mrs. Anna Kennedy
Davis, the mother of John w. Davis,
was a native of Baltimore~
Mr.. Davis was an alert student,
being graduated from Washington
and Lee university at the age of 10.
After receiving his bachelor of arts
law and won the law degree at the
age of % in 1895. He was admitted
ITO the bar the same year.
The following year he returned to
the university to become professor
of law. He taught one year, then
began the practice of law in Clarks-
burg In partnership with his IA
ther.
Pressed into Politics
When in 1898 the Democrats of his
town sought to send him to the
house of delegates, the lower house
OF, the legislature, he was reluctant
to interrupt his professional prac-
tlce and refused the nomination. He
finally acceded, however, and was
elected easily. He was made chair
man of the judiciary committee of
the house and later floor leader of
i,o I,
legislature he returned to his law
office and chung to his determination
to eschew politics. Between 1899
and 1910 the only political offices
he had were those Of county chair
man, member of the state executive
committee Of his party in 1908, and
delegate to the national conventions
of 1904 and 1908.
When in 1910 the Democrats of
his district chose him for represen-
tatVe in congress, he was again re-
luctant to accept. A unanimous
vote of the convention won him over,
hoover, and he conducted a Wig
orous campaign and was elected in
district that had been Republican
for 20 years. He was reelected in
1912.
In the national house, as in the
legislature, Mr.. Davis was made
chairman Of the judiciary commit
tee. He took an active part in the
Impeachment and trial of Judge Rob
ert w. Archibald.
AT a result of his service on this
committee President Wilson selected
him as solicitor general in 1913, and
Nv 70 L.
to accept that office.
Made Envoy to Britain
In the summer of 1918, Mr.. Davis
went to Europe as a member of the
commission of three Americans to
treat with Germany as to the eX-
change of prisoners Of war. He was
in Berne on this mission when, upon
the resignation of Walter Hines
Page, Mr.. Wilson made Mr.. Davis
the American ambassador to Great
Britain. Mr.. Davis returned to this
country for a conference with the
president and took up his work in
London in November, just as the war
came to an end In his capacity of
ambassador he was present in Yer
sa1lles during the peace conference
Mr.. Davis name as a candidate for
president was placed before the
Democratic national convention in
San Francisco in 1920 by Governor
John ]. Cornwell. of West Virginia.
He received a vote which reached
maximum of seventy six on the thir-
ty-ninth ballot. Mr.. Davis at that
time was busy as ambassador in
London.
Mr.. Davis was married in 1899 to
Miss Julia 7. Mcdonald. of Jeffer-
son county, West Virginia. After
her death he married Miss Ellen G.
Basel, daughter of John Basel, a
West Virginia attorney. He has
one child, Mrs. William Macmillan
Adams, who lives in Copenhagen.
Three years ago Mr.. Davis bought