Alachua County FlArchives Deaths.....Memorial for Robert W. Davis (1849-1929)
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/fl/flfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jim Powell, http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00030.html#0007445 Jul 2000

Judgment Docket and Circuit Court Minutes 23
Page 27

In Memorium

Robert W. Davis was born near Albany, in Lee County, Georgia, on March 15th, 1849.  
As did many others of his time, he only had opportunity of a common school education.  
He did, however, leave home for the purpose of attending Mercer University, but before 
registering in the university he enlisted in the Confederate States Army at the tender 
age of 14 years.  He served in the 5th Georgia Regiment under General Joseph E. Johnston 
until the surrender of Johnston on April 26, 1865.

After leaving the army he took up the study of his chosen profession and was admitted to 
practice law in 1869, commencing his practice in Blakely, Georgia.  In 1879 he moved to 
Florida and commenced the practice of law in Gainesville.  He later moved to Green Cove 
Springs, Florida, and was elected a member of the House of Representatives from Clay 
County in 1884.  In 1885 he was elected and served as Speaker of the House of 
Representatives.

Col. Davis was a number of years a member of the Board of Trustees for the East Florida 
Seminary which was located in Gainesville.  On March 4, 1897, he was elected to Congress 
and served in the 55th, 56th, 57th and 58th Congress of the United States.

Resigning from Congress on march 3, 1903, he resumed the practice of law in Palatka, 
Florida, and later moved to Tampa, Florida.

On December 26th, 1912, he returned to Gainesville, Florida, to take up the duties of 
Register of the United States Land Office.  This appointment was made under President 
Woodrow Wilson.  After his term of office had expired and the Republican Party again came 
into power he became Editor of the Gainesville Sun: was Mayor of the City of Gainesville 
in 1924 and 1925; was appointed Tax Assessor for Alachua County, Florida, under Governor 
John W. Martin.  At the expiration of his term in 1928, feeling the desire to practice 
Law again, he returned to his chosen profession and established a Law Office in 
Gainesville, Florida, with his son, Robert W. Davis, Jr.

WHEREAS, in the mercy and wisdom of God, on September 14, 1929, our esteemed and beloved 
friend and fellow member of the Bar was called to his eternal reward; And
WHEREAS, The members of the Alachua County Bar Association and representatives and 
Officers of the Court desire to give expression of our grief and sense of loss in the 
passing of this most lovable character and valuable citizen, and desire to perpetuate 
and keep forever a record of his life and of our esteem and appreciation of him;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That in the passing of Honorable Robert W. Davis this Bar 
and the State of Florida have been deprived of a most lovable member and Citizen -- a man 
who merited the truest devotion of friendship and companionship, of love and respect -- 
and, while recognizing the supremacy of the Devine Hand in all things, we feel the keenest 
sorrow and grief and sense of affliction in the loss of our fellow member.
Be it further Resolved, That these Resolutions be spread upon the minutes of this Court, 
a copy sent to the family of the deceased, a copy furnished to the press of Alachua County 
for publication.

Fred J. Hampton
Fred D. Bryant
H. L. Gray
Committee
November 12th, 1929