Governor Phil M. Donnelly Name Walter Davis Party Democratic Party Profession Attorney Education Vanderbilt University | Political party Democratic Died September 16, 1951 Preceded by Frank G. Harris Role Politician Succeeded by James T. Blair, Jr. | |
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Born November 29, 1876
St. Louis County, Missouri ( 1876-11-29 ) | ||
Walter Naylor Davis (November 29, 1876 – September 16, 1951) was a Democratic politician from the state of Missouri. He was the state's 34th Lieutenant Governor and a former commissioner of the Missouri Supreme Court.
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Personal history
Walter N. Davis was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Judge Alexander Davis and Alice (Edwards) Davis. He had two brothers and three sisters. Davis' father had been a Colonel in the 5th Division of the Missouri State Guards during the Civil War. and later a judge in the Montana Territory before returning to St. Louis and practicing law. Walter Davis received his secondary education at Smith Academy (St. Louis), graduating in 1894. He received his college degree from Vanderbilt University in 1898, and law degree from Saint Louis University in 1900. In 1901 he married Roberta Randolph Morrison. Walter Davis practiced law as a partner in the firm of Bates, Blodgett, Williams & Davis. Walter N. Davis died September 16, 1951 and is buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis.
Political history
Walter Davis made his first foray into electtive politics in 1916 by running for a circuit judge position in St. Louis County. However he was soundly defeated by his Republican opponent. He served twice as a commissioner of the Missouri Supreme Court, first in 1923, then again from 1927 to 1931 In 1944 Davis won a narrow victory to become Missouri's 34th Lieutenant Governor.