John W. Davis (politician, 1826)

John William Davis

John William Davis (born March 7, 1826 in Rehoboth , Bristol County , Massachusetts , † January 25, 1907 in Pawtucket , Rhode Island ) was an American politician and governor of the state of Rhode Island from 1887 to 1888 and from 1890 to 1891 .

Early years and political advancement

John Davis attended public schools in Rehoboth and a private school in Pawtucket. He then worked as a bricklayer, teacher and grain trader, among other things. He also became a member of the Pawtucket City Council, of which he was to become President for two years. John Davis was a member of the Democratic Party and was elected to the Rhode Island Senate for several terms . During the Civil War he served in the National Guard of his state. President Grover Cleveland named his fellow party member a foreign trade appraiser in the Providence Customs District .

Governor of Rhode Island

In 1887, Davis was elected the new governor of his state. He was able to defeat incumbent George P. Wetmore with the help of some dissatisfied Republicans . In his first one-year term between May 31, 1887 and May 29, 1888, women's suffrage was enshrined in the state constitution. The border between Rhode Island and the neighboring state of Connecticut was established. New laws should make fraudulent activities more difficult. Laws on the treatment of orphans were also passed. In 1888 Davis lost the gubernatorial election to Royal C. Taft , the Republican Party candidate; In 1889 he failed because of Herbert W. Ladd . After he was re-elected to the highest office in his state in 1890, he was able to complete a second term of office between May 27, 1890 and May 26, 1891. During this time, a commission was set up to revise the state laws and funds were made available for a soldiers' home. In the elections of 1891 Davis lost again to Herbert Ladd.

Another résumé

After the end of his governorship, Davis returned to the State Senate before he became mayor of Pawtucket in 1897. John Davis died in January 1907. He was married three times and had two children.

literature

• Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 4, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

• John Davis in the National Governors Association (English)
• John W. Davis in the database of Find a Grave (English)