Quick Facts
Biography
John James Davis (May 5, 1835 – March 19, 1916) was an attorney and politician in West Virginia who served as a United States Representative in Congress from that state.
Early life
John James Davis was born in Clarksburg, Virginia (now West Virginia), he attended the Northwestern Virginia Academy at Clarksburg, and graduated from the Lexington Law School (now the law department of Washington and Lee University) in 1856 and was admitted to the bar that same year and commenced practice in Clarksburg, Virginia.
Personal life
He was the father of John W. Davis, who followed in his father's footsteps as a lawyer and congressman.
Political career
State politics
Davis became a member of the Virginia House of Delegates in 1861 and was a member of the first convention looking toward the formation of a new State loyal to the Union, from counties of western Virginia, held April 22, 1861.
Davis was a delegate from Harrison County to the Wheeling convention June 11, 1861 and also to the Democratic National Conventions in 1868, 1876 and 1892. He served as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1869 and 1870.
National politics
He was elected as a Democrat to the 42nd Congress, and was re-elected as an Independent Democrat to the 43rd Congress. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1874.
Later years and death
His political years over, Davis resumed the practice of law in Clarksburg, West Virginia.
Davis died in Clarksburg, Harrison County on March 19, 1916 and was interred in Odd Fellows Cemetery.