Elmer David Davies (January 12, 1899 – January 7, 1957) was an American lawyer and politician. He served as a member of the Tennessee State Senate and later served as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.

Elmer David Davies
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
In office
1954–1957
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byWilliam Ernest Miller
Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
In office
July 12, 1939 – January 7, 1957
Appointed byFranklin D. Roosevelt
Preceded byJohn J. Gore
Succeeded bySeat abolished
Personal details
Born
Elmer David Davies

(1899-01-12)January 12, 1899
Magnolia, Arkansas
DiedJanuary 7, 1957(1957-01-07) (aged 57)
Nashville, Tennessee
Cause of deathHeart attack
EducationVanderbilt University Law School (LL.B.)

Education and career edit

Davies was born on January 12, 1899, in Magnolia, Arkansas.[1] He received a Bachelor of Laws from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1922. Davies joined the Ku Klux Klan in Louisiana and attended a meeting while he was a student at Vanderbilt; however, he later claimed he was disillusioned and stopped going.[2] Davies was in private practice in Nashville, Tennessee, from 1922 to 1939, and served as a member of the Tennessee Senate from 1935 to 1939.[1][3]

Federal judicial service edit

Davies was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 19, 1939, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee vacated by Judge John J. Gore. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 12, 1939, and received his commission the same day. He served as Chief Judge from 1954 to 1957.[3] His service terminated on January 7, 1957, due to his death of a heart attack in Nashville.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Funeral Scheduled for Judge Davies". Kingsport Times. Kingsport, Tennessee. January 8, 1957. p. 2. Retrieved September 7, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "DAVIES OPPOSITION GROWS IN SENATE. Confirmation of Tennessean For U.S. Judge Recalled By Committee". Kingsport Times. July 13, 1939. pp. 1, 16. Retrieved September 7, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b Elmer David Davies at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.

Sources edit

Legal offices
Preceded by Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
1939–1957
Succeeded by
Seat abolished
Preceded by
Office established
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
1954–1957
Succeeded by