Alexander Davis

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For the architect (1803-1892), see Alexander Jackson Davis.

Alexander Mathews Davis (January 17, 1833 – September 25, 1889) was a nineteenth century politician and lawyer from Virginia.

Born in Old Mount Airy, Virginia, Davis attended the old field schools and was privately tutored as a child and went on to graduate from Emory and Henry College. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1854, commencing practice in Wytheville, Virginia, later moving to Independence, Virginia.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Davis served in the Confederate Army as captain of Company C of the 45th Regiment, Virginia Infantry in 1861, later promoted to major in 1862 and lieutenant colonel in 1864. He was captured near the end of the war and was held prisoner on Johnson's Island.

After his release, Davis served in the Virginia Senate from 1869 to 1871 and was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives in 1873, serving until 1874. Afterwards, he resumed practicing law until his death in Independence, Virginia on September 25, 1889. He was interned in Davis Family Cemetery.

[edit] External links

Alexander Davis at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

Preceded by Richard T.W. Duke	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 5th congressional district March 4, 1873 – March 5, 1874	Succeeded by Christopher Thomas