Barbour County AlArchives Biographies.....Judson Davie April 17 1851 - ?
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ann Anderson alabammygrammy@aol.com May 12, 2004, 2:51 am

Author: Brant & Fuller (1893)
    JUDSON DAVIE, M. D., the subject of this sketch, is a leading physician and
planter of Barbour county, and also its present representative in the upper
house of the state legislature. The doctor's father, Marshall C. Davie, was a
native of Georgia, born in Columbia county, in the year 1817, and a descendant
of the noted family of that name in North Carolina. He was an extensive planter,
lived in different counties of his native state, and became a resident of
Alabama in 1848, purchasing a plantation in Barbour county, in the vicinity of
what is now Spring Hill Station, where he died in 1876. His wife, whom he
married in 1839, was Jane E. Bass, whose family were prominent in Georgia for
generations, and many of the name are still classed among the leading people of
that and other of the southern states. The following are the living children
born to Marshall C. and Jane E. Davie: Ruby, wife C. J. Jones, of Spring Hill,
Ala.; Mercer, practicing physician at Ozark, Ala.; Judson, the subject of this
sketch; Bunyan, merchant of Clayton, Ala.; Jesse, in the mercantile business, at
Blocton, Ala.; Stella, teacher of music at Clayton, Ala.; Luna, teacher in
public schools at Eufaula, Ala.; and Meigs, messenger for Southern Express
Company running between Americus and Lyons, Ga. The mother is still living,
making her home with the subject of this sketch. Dr. Judson Davie, was born in
Barbour county, Ala., on the 17th day of April, 1851. After receiving an
academic education he began the study of medicine in 1870, under the instruction
of Dr. J. B. Pouncey, at Spring Hill, and in the fall of the same year entered
the medical department of the university of Georgia, situated at Augusta, from
which institution he graduated in March, 1872.

   Receiving his degree, the doctor began the practice of his profession at
Cowikee, Barbour county, and has since resided at the same place, giving his
attention, at this time, largely to agriculture, having abandoned his large
general practice about five years ago. Dr. Davie has been a potent factor in
local politics for several, years and is recognized as a leader of his party,
the democratic, in Barbour county. Prior to 1888 he contented himself with
attending the party conventions, both county and state, but in the fall of that
year he was elected representative from Barbour county, to the state
legislature, in which body he served one term. While in the legislature, the
doctor was instrumental in bringing about much needed legislation for his
constituency, among which was the present law in force in Barbour county, for
the regulation of the whisky saloons, which he contended should not be allowed
to exist except under police surveillance, and he also took the lead in all
matters pertaining to the sanitary condition of the state, having served with
marked ability as chairman of the "committee on public health." In 1890, the
doctor was honored by an election to the state senate, in which body he has
distinguished himself as the author of a number of important bills, one of which
became the present efficient law controlling the practice of medicine in the
state of Alabama. Previous to the passage of this bill the law relating to
medical practice was so defective that the penalty for its violation could not
be enforced, consequently any body so disposed could enter the practice of the
profession without examination; but under the present law, every physician is
compelled to obtain a certificate of qualification from the county board of
medical examiners before he is allowed to engage in the practice of his
profession, in such county. The effect of this law and others relating to the
practice of medicine has been very salutary in ridding the state of a large
number of quacks and charlatans and elevating the profession to a very high
plane of efficiency and excellence. To the doctor is also largely due the credit
of introducing an admendment to the legislation relative to the public schools,
which eventually became embodied in the state school law and which is now in
full force and effect. Before the law went into effect the school funds were
distributed "per capita” among the schools of the white and colored children
alike, in consequence of which certain districts predominated very largely by
colored children received monthly all the funds, while the whites, who paid
nearly all the taxes, enjoyed but limited educational advantages. The reverse of
this condition (except the payment of taxes) also existed where there were few
colored children and many whites. Largely through the doctor's efforts, the law
was so amended that the apportionment of the funds to the schools of the two
races is entrusted to boards of township trustees, whose duty it is to make a
"just and equitable" distribution - giving as nearly as possible as many days in
school to the children of one race as the other. He was also interested in other
important legislation and earned the reputation of being one of the ablest, as
well as one of, the most industrious, members of the legislature, and his future
course in the body is being watched with a great degree of interest by his
constituents who seem to repose its greatest confidence in his integrity and
ability. Personally the doctor is prepossessing in manners and appearence; of
dignified presence, and he is a fine specimen of vigorous physical and
intellectual manhood; as a public speaker he is earnest and impressive. He
enjoys life in a very beautiful and comfortable home, and his popularity is
great among all classes of the community irrespective of political affiliations.
He was married December 8, 1874, to Lula Hillman, and is the father of two
bright children, namely: Annie, a recent graduate of Huntsville female college,
and Rutledge an intelligent boy of twelve years. The doctor's companion in life
is indeed a lovely and talented woman - and is from a large and extensively
connected family - was born April 1st, 1857. In religious belief the family are
Baptists. If long spared the future, no doubt, holds in store further honors and
distinctions for their bright and interesting family.



Additional Comments:
from "Memorial Record of Alabama"

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/

File size: 6.7 Kb