Biography of 	Davis, Capt. Lemuel Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by 	Mike Miller September 2000

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Capt. Lemuel Davis, of the Parish prison of New Orleans, La., was born in this city January 14,
1858, and the son of James Davis, a native of England.  He came to the United States as captain
of an ocean vessel and made the Crescent City his home.  Here he resided until his death in
1860, at the age of thirty-five years.  His wife died in l861.  They were the parents of two
children:  Samuel and  Anna.  Samuel received his education in the public schools, but through
the death of his parents was compelled to take a position when quite young.  His first position
was through the influence of William B. Kleinpeter, as messenger boy for the cotton house of
Carl L. Brauer & Co., 75 Carondelet street, and remained with them until 1872, until the
failure of the house.  His second position was with Beals & Lane, coal merchants, and with them
he remained two seasons.  After that he held many positions, until finally, when he was
twenty-five years of age, he went on the police force as court officer, Second Recorder's
court.  During the world's fair in New Orleans Mr. Davis was sergant of city police, and later
captain of police, and was connected with a great many important arrests.  In June, 1888, he
was appointed captain of the Parish prison by Sheriff Villire, and has held the position since,
giving great satisfaction.  In 1878 he married Miss Jane McLaughlin of this city, and this
union has been blessed with three sons and two daughters.  Captain Davis is a foreman of Hope
Hook & Ladder company No. 3, also a member of the Olympic club, Arnoult Rifle team, Progressive
lodge I. 0. 0. F., and in politics is a democrat.  Captain Davis held his position at the time
of the riot there in 1891, when the Italians were taken from the prison and hung by the mob.

Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, (vol. 1), p. 372.  Published by the
Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, 1892.