Daniel Franklin Davis (September 12, 1843 – January 9, 1897) was an American politician and the 37th Governor of Maine.
Early life
Davis was born in Freedom, Maine, on September 12, 1843.[1] He entered the East Corinth Academy in 1863 but after a few weeks he enlisted in the Union Army to fight in the Civil War.[1]
Davis served in the 1st District of Columbia Cavalry Regiment and the 1st Maine Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, and attained the rank of corporal in the 1st Maine Cavalry's Company F.[2]
He then studied at the Corinna Academy, and at the Wesleyan Seminary in Kents Hill, Maine.[1] He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1869, and established his law career in East Corinth.[1]
Politics
Davis became a member of the Maine House of Representatives in 1871.[1] He held that position for four years.[1] He then became a member of the Maine Senate in 1875.[1] He held that position until 1879.[1] In 1879, he was nominated for the governorship by the Maine Republican Party.[1] In the general election no candidate received a majority of the vote, so the election moved to the Legislature, which selected Davis.[1] He served from January 17, 1880, to January 13, 1881.[1] During his administration, the enforcement of the prohibition law was contested. Davis was not successful in his re-election bid.[1]
Later life
After leaving office, Davis served as the federal collector of customs for the port of Bangor from 1882 to 1886.[1] He died in Bangor on January 9, 1897, and was buried at Corinthian Cemetery in Corinth.
Family
In 1867, Davis married Laura B. Goodwin of East Corinth; they were the parents of eight children, five of whom lived to adulthood.[1]
References
Sources
Books
- History of Penobscot County, Maine: With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches. Cleveland, OH: Williams, Chase & Co. 1882. p. 823.
External sources
- Sobel, Robert and John Raimo. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978. Greenwood Press, 1988. ISBN 0-313-28093-2
- Daniel F. Davis at Find a Grave
- "Biography, Daniel Franklin Davis". www.nga.org/. National Governors Association. 5 January 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
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