D. W. Davis

David William Davis ( born April 23 1873 in Cardiff, Wales; † August 5, 1959 in Boise, Idaho ) was an American politician and 1919-1923 Governor of the State of Idaho.

Early years and political rise

David William Davis came in 1875 with his parents to the United States. The family settled in Rippey, Iowa. At the age of twelve he began to work in coal mines to support his widowed mother. He then worked for a farmer association and as a bank cashier. In the meantime, he was a member of the U.S. Navy for a short time. He was stationed in the Philippines. After his military service, Davis moved to American Falls, Idaho, where he founded the First National Bank of American Falls.

Davis became a member of the Republican Party. In 1912 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention. From 1913 to 1915 Davis was a member of the Senate from Idaho. In 1916, he competed unsuccessfully for the governorship. Two years later he succeeded but then the leap into the highest office of Idaho.

Governor of Idaho

After a re-election in 1920, D. W. Davis could reign as governor between 6 January 1919 and 1 January 1923. During this time, an independent financial management was established in Idaho. For the veterans of past wars a welfare program was developed and a new pension system for teachers has been introduced. The expansion of the road was pushed against the background of increasing traffic volume. The administration has been simplified by merging some agencies. Some laws have been revised and the state constitution received three new additions.

Further CV

After the end of his governorship Davis worked until 1932 for the Ministry of Interior of the United States. In 1931 he was one of the advisers of President Herbert C. Hoover for some time. D. W. Davis died in August 1959, and was buried in Boise. He was married twice and had three children.