Vernon M. Davis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vernon Mansfield Davis
Vernon M. Davis 1902.jpg
New York County District Attorney
Acting
In office
December 7, 1896 – December 19 1896
Preceded byJohn R. Fellows
Succeeded byWilliam M. K. Olcott
Personal details
Born(1855-01-29)January 29, 1855
New York City, U.S.
DiedApril 17, 1931(1931-04-17) (aged 76)
New York City, U.S.
Resting placeWoodlawn Cemetery
Spouse(s)
Harriet Lobdell
​
​
(m. 1885; died 1920)​
Parent(s)Robert Vernon Davis
Mary Samler Davis
Alma materCity College of New York
Columbia Law School

Vernon Mansfield Davis (January 29, 1855 – April 17, 1931) was an American lawyer and politician from New York.

Early life[]

Davis was born on January 29, 1855 in New York City. He was the son of Robert Vernon Davis (1830–1913) and Mary (née Samler) Davis (1837–1912).[1] A descendant of "old New York" families, his maternal grandparents were Jane Ogden (née Mansfield) Samler and Nicholas Samler, a grandson of Casper Samler, who owned land that today comprises the greater part of Fifth Avenue from Madison Square to 31st Street.[2]

After attending public and private schools in New York, he graduated from City College in 1876.[3]

Career[]

After graduating from City College, Davis remained there becoming Assistant Professor of Greek, Mathematics and Logic until 1882. At the same time he studied law, graduated from Columbia Law School,[4] and was admitted to the bar in 1879. He commenced practice working for the law firm of McDaniel, Wheeler & Souther. In October 1881, he opened his own law firm known as Davis, Cohen & McWilliam.[3]

In January 1885, Davis was appointed by D.A. Randolph B. Martine a Deputy Assistant New York County District Attorney.[5] In January 1888, D.A. John R. Fellows appointed Davis an Assistant D.A., and he remained in office under De Lancey Nicoll and during Fellows's second term.[6] After Fellows's death on December 7, 1896, Davis was appointed Acting D.A. by the Court of General Sessions, pending the filling of the vacancy by Gov. Levi P. Morton. On December 19 1896, Gov. Morton appointed Alderman William M.K. Olcott as D.A.,[7] and Davis resumed his post as Asst. D.A. until his resignation in April 1897.[8]

On January 1, 1901, Davis succeeded Elbridge T. Gerry as President of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children,[9] but resigned this post after his election to the Supreme Court.[10]

In November 1902, Davis was elected a justice of the New York Supreme Court (1st D.), and remained on the bench until the end of 1925 when he reached the constitutional age limit.

Personal life[]

On June 17, 1885, Davis was married to Harriet Lobdell (1863–1920).[11] She was a daughter of the Rev. Dr. Francis Lobdell and Julia Almira (née Danforth) Lobdell, both from Connecticut.[12] Her father was rector of St. Andrew's Church in New York City before moving to Buffalo, New York where he was at Trinity Church and became Archdeacon of Buffalo.[12]

After a four-month illness, he died from pneumonia at his home at 6 East 94th Street in New York City.[3] After a funeral in St. Agnes's Chapel of Trinity Parish on 92nd Street, he was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ Genealogical Record of the Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York. Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York. 1916. p. 17. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  2. ^ "Mrs. MARY SAMLER DAVIS" (PDF). The New York Times. March 29, 1912. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d MacDonald, Pirie (18 April 1931). "EX-JUSTICE DAVIS DIES OF PNEUMONIA; Eminent Jurist, Who Lately Had Acted as Official Referee, Was 76 Years Old. NOTED EPISCOPAL LAYMAN He Won National Fame as District Attorney--Led in Welfare and Educational Activities. A Graduate of City College. Prosecuted Bands of Incendiaries. Presided at Nan Patterson Trial. Ran on Non-Partisan Ticket" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  4. ^ Officers and Graduates of Columbia University: Originally the College of the Province of New York Known as King's College : General Catalogue, 1754-1900. Columbia University. 1900. p. 597. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  5. ^ "The District Attorney's Aids | The Associates Selected by Randolph B. Martine" (PDF). The New York Times. December 31, 1884. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  6. ^ "MR. NICHOLL'S ASSISTANTS -- MEN WHO WILL HELP IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE" (PDF). The New York Times. January 1, 1891. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  7. ^ "OLCOTT TAKES HIS OFFICE -- NEW DISTRICT ATTORNEY SWORN IN BY JUSTICE PRYOR -- Immediately Reappoints Several Assistant District Attorneys and Announces His Policy for Future Distribution of Patronage" (PDF). The New York Times. December 20, 1896. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  8. ^ "PRESENT TO LAWYER DAVIS -- The Former Assistant District Attorney a Guest of Judges and Attorneys--Gets a Loving Cup" (PDF). The New York Times. April 25, 1897. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  9. ^ "VERNON M. DAVIS TAKES CHARGE. He Succeeds Mr. Gerry as the Head of the Children's Society" (PDF). The New York Times. January 2, 1901. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  10. ^ "REACTION AGAINST MUCKRAKING, SAYS JUDGE V. M. DAVIS. The Method of Attacking Man and Things Will Never End, But People Are Turning in Disgust from Extreme and Unjust Criticism--A Defense of the Courts" (PDF). The New York Times. April 30, 1911. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  11. ^ Leonard, John William (1914). Woman's Who's who of America: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporary Women of the United States and Canada, 1914-1915. American Commonwealth Company. p. 232. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  12. ^ a b May, John Joseph (1902). Danforth Genealogy, Nicholas Danforth of Framlingham, England and Cambridge, N.E. (1589-1638) and William Danforth, of Newbury, Mass. (1640-1721) and their Descendants. Boston, Mass.: Charles H. Pope. p. 189. ISBN 9785877066076. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
Legal offices
Preceded by New York County District Attorney
Acting
1896 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from ""