Jonathan M. Davis

Jonathan M. Davis
22nd Governor of Kansas
In office January 8, 1923 – January 12, 1925
Lieutenant	Benjamin S. Paulen
Preceded by	Henry J. Allen
Succeeded by	Benjamin S. Paulen
Member of the Kansas Senate
In office 1915-1917
Member of the Kansas House of Representatives
In office 1905-1913
Personal details
Born	April 27, 1871 Bourbon County, Kansas
Died	June 27, 1943 (aged 72) Bourbon County, Kansas
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Mary Purdom
Profession	farmer, postmaster, politician
Religion	Methodist

Jonathan McMillan Davis (April 27, 1871 – June 27, 1943) was an American politician and the 22nd Governor of Kansas.

Biography

Davis was born in Bronson, Bourbon County, Kansas to Jonathan McMillan and Eve (Holeman) Davis.^[1] His education was in the public schools and the University of Kansas and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He left college without graduating due to the death of his father. He married Mary "Mollie" Purdom on September 26, 1894 and they had Russell, Eva, Mary, and Lola.^[2] Mollie died in 1926 and he married Mary E. (Winston) Raymond on December 16, 1931.

Career

Davis served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 1905 to 1913; and then in the Kansas State Senate from 1915 to 1917.^[3]

Winning the 1922 gubernatorial race, Davis was sworn into the office on January 8, 1923. During his tenure, taxes were cut, prohibition and women's suffrage were endorsed, increased funding secured for veteran's pensions, banking procedures were limited, an improved road bill was authorized, utilities were controlled, and the chancellor of the University of Kansas was fired.^[4]

Davis was arrested the day after his term ended. He was indicted twice for bribery, tried twice and acquitted both times.^[5]

Death

Davis died on June 27, 1943 following a lengthy illness and several repeat visits to a Fort Scott hospital. He is interred at Bronson Cemetery in Bronson, Kansas.^[6]

References

1. "Jonathan M. Davis". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
2. "Jonathan M. Davis". Find A Grave. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
3. "Jonathan M. Davis". National Governors Association. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
4. "Jonathan M. Davis". National Governors Association. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
5. "Jonathan M. Davis". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
6. "Jonathan M. Davis". Find A Grave. Retrieved 30 September 2012.

External links

• Find-A-Grave profile for Jonathan M. Davis
• The Political Graveyard
• National Governors Association