Westmoreland "Morley" Davis (/ˈwɛstmɔːrlənd/; August 21, 1859 – September 2, 1942) was an American lawyer, politician, and the 48th Governor of Virginia, serving from February 1, 1918 to February 1, 1922.
Davis was born to a wealthy and prominent family on August 21, 1859. He was born on a boat in the Atlantic Ocean. The Davis family lost much of its wealth during the American Civil War. Davis and his mother, Annie, left a widow, struggled financially after the war, but he was able to attend the Virginia Military Institute on a scholarship. He was the youngest Cadet to ever attend at the age of 14. After graduating in 1877, he taught for 2 years then went to work as a clerk for the railroad company. Later, he "completed a year of post-graduate study at the University of Virginia in 1883,"[1] and studied at Columbia Law School from 1884 until graduating in 1886.[2] He joined an elite New York City law firm and became wealthy.
In 1903, Davis purchased Morven Park, in the heart of Virginia's horse country. He and his wife Marguerite were avid equestrians and he soon founded the Loudoun Hunt, becoming the Master of Foxhounds for the club. He also planned to take up farming, despite his lack of experience. Davis advocated reform in farming, especially the use of science to improve productivity and sanitation. In 1912, he bought the magazine Southern Planter, one of the most popular magazines in the South. He used his position to advocate his ideas on farming and for political aid to farmers.
Davis was a presidential elector in 1916.[3]Virginia elected him governor in 1917 on a "wet," or anti-Prohibition, platform. As governor, Davis sent increased funding to Virginia's colleges and universities. He also pressed for aid to farmers and funding for scientific farming research. In general, he reformed and modernized the Virginia government. While governor, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention of 1920.
Davis died on September 2, 1942,[4] in a Baltimore hospital after suffering a stroke and was buried at Morven Park.[5][6] His executive papers from his time as Governor of Virginia can be found at the Library of Virginia.[7]
ElectionEdit
In 1917, Davis was elected Governor of Virginia with 71.47% of the vote, defeating Republican Thomas J. Muncy and Socialist Frank Smith.
ReferencesEdit
^. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
^"Davis, Westmoreland (1859–1942)". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
^The National Cyclopædia of American Biography. Vol. C. New York, N.Y.: James T. White & Company. 1930. p. 100 – via HathiTrust.
westmoreland, davis, westmoreland, morley, davis, ɔːr, august, 1859, september, 1942, american, lawyer, politician, 48th, governor, virginia, serving, from, february, 1918, february, 1922, 192148th, governor, virginiain, office, february, 1918, february, 1922l. Westmoreland Morley Davis ˈ w ɛ s t m ɔːr l e n d August 21 1859 September 2 1942 was an American lawyer politician and the 48th Governor of Virginia serving from February 1 1918 to February 1 1922 Westmoreland DavisWestmoreland Davis in 192148th Governor of VirginiaIn office February 1 1918 February 1 1922LieutenantBenjamin Franklin BuchananPreceded byHenry Carter StuartSucceeded byElbert Lee TrinklePersonal detailsBorn 1859 08 21 August 21 1859At seaDiedSeptember 2 1942 1942 09 02 aged 83 Baltimore Maryland U S Political partyDemocraticSpouseMarguerite InmanAlma materVirginia Military Institute Columbia Law SchoolOccupationFarmerProfessionLawyer politician planterBiography EditDavis was born to a wealthy and prominent family on August 21 1859 He was born on a boat in the Atlantic Ocean The Davis family lost much of its wealth during the American Civil War Davis and his mother Annie left a widow struggled financially after the war but he was able to attend the Virginia Military Institute on a scholarship He was the youngest Cadet to ever attend at the age of 14 After graduating in 1877 he taught for 2 years then went to work as a clerk for the railroad company Later he completed a year of post graduate study at the University of Virginia in 1883 1 and studied at Columbia Law School from 1884 until graduating in 1886 2 He joined an elite New York City law firm and became wealthy In 1903 Davis purchased Morven Park in the heart of Virginia s horse country He and his wife Marguerite were avid equestrians and he soon founded the Loudoun Hunt becoming the Master of Foxhounds for the club He also planned to take up farming despite his lack of experience Davis advocated reform in farming especially the use of science to improve productivity and sanitation In 1912 he bought the magazine Southern Planter one of the most popular magazines in the South He used his position to advocate his ideas on farming and for political aid to farmers Davis was a presidential elector in 1916 3 Virginia elected him governor in 1917 on a wet or anti Prohibition platform As governor Davis sent increased funding to Virginia s colleges and universities He also pressed for aid to farmers and funding for scientific farming research In general he reformed and modernized the Virginia government While governor he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention of 1920 Davis died on September 2 1942 4 in a Baltimore hospital after suffering a stroke and was buried at Morven Park 5 6 His executive papers from his time as Governor of Virginia can be found at the Library of Virginia 7 Election EditIn 1917 Davis was elected Governor of Virginia with 71 47 of the vote defeating Republican Thomas J Muncy and Socialist Frank Smith References Edit National Governors Association Archived from the original on June 28 2011 Retrieved February 12 2011 Davis Westmoreland 1859 1942 Retrieved July 2 2016 The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography Vol C New York N Y James T White amp Company 1930 p 100 via HathiTrust Virginia Heritage The History of Morven Park in Leesburg VA Archived from the original on July 27 2011 Retrieved January 30 2011 Virginia Famous virginians Retrieved July 2 2016 A Guide to the Executive Papers of Governor Westmoreland Davis 1918 1922 Virginia Heritage Retrieved May 8 2014 Party political officesPreceded byHenry Carter Stuart Democratic nominee for Governor of Virginia1917 Succeeded byElbert Lee TrinklePolitical officesPreceded byHenry Carter Stuart Governor of Virginia1918 1922 Succeeded byElbert Lee Trinkle Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Westmoreland Davis amp oldid 1126368721, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
