John W. Davis (governor)
John William Davis ( born March 7, 1826 in Rehoboth, Bristol County, Massachusetts, † January 25, 1907 in Pawtucket, Rhode Iceland ) was an American politician and 1887-1888 and 1890-1891 Governor of the State of Rhode Iceland.
Early years and political rise
John Davis attended the public schools in Rehoboth and a private school in Pawtucket. After that he worked as a bricklayer, teacher and grain traders. He was also a member of the City Council of Pawtucket, whose president he should be for two years. John Davis was a member of the Democratic Party and was elected for several terms of office in the Senate of Rhode Iceland. During the Civil War he served in the National Guard of his state. President Grover Cleveland appointed his party colleague as expert for foreign trade in the customs district of Providence.
Governor of Rhode Iceland
In 1887, Davis was elected governor of his state. He was able to defeat the incumbent, George P. Wetmore also with the help of some disaffected Republicans. In his first one-year term of office between May 31, 1887 to May 29, 1888, women's suffrage was enshrined in the constitution. The boundary between Rhode Iceland and the neighboring state of Connecticut has been set. New laws should not hinder fraudulent activities. In addition, laws were enacted for the treatment of orphans. In 1888, Davis defeated in the gubernatorial election against Royal C. Taft, the candidate of the Republican Party; In 1889 he failed to Herbert W. Ladd. After he was elected but then again into the highest office in his country in 1890, he was able to complete a second term between 27 May 1890 to 26 May 1891. During this time a commission to revise the laws of the state was used and provided funds for a soldiers' home. In the elections of 1891, Davis succumbed again to Herbert Ladd.
Further CV
After the end of his governorship Davis returned once in the state Senate before he became mayor of Pawtucket in 1897. John Davis died in January, 1907. He was married three times and had a total of two children.