William Columbus Davis, of Jasper, was born August 5, 1867, at Iuka, Tishimingo County, Miss. He was the son of Samuel McGee and Sarah (Laycey) Davis, the former a native of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Ga., a farmer and Confederate Soldier. Mr. Davis' mother was Emily, daughter of Judge Abner Wise and Martha Lacey, who lived near Cropwell, St. Claire County, Ala. The paternal great-grandparents were Jesse and Zilpha (Walker) Davis, the former a native of Gwindon, England, where he was born March 28, 1770, but while still a small boy came to America and settled in Laurens County, S.C.

Mr. Davis was educated in the public schools of his native state and studied law in the office of Judge Harvey Murphy, Aberdeen, Miss., at which place he was admitted to the bar. He taught in the public schools of Miss. until 1890 when he located to Hamilton, Ala., to practice law. In 1899, he removed to Jasper where he now resides. He was a member of the House of Representatives of the Alabama Legislature from Marion County, 1891-1899, and from Walker County in 1915. He was Solicitor of the 14th Judicial Circuit, 1907-1911, inclusive. He was a Democrat and served his party as a member of the State Commmittee and as Chairman of the Congressional Committee and was active in numerous political campaigns. He was a Baptist, a Mason, and Woodsman.

He was married at DeSotoville, Ala., July 24, 1895, to Maud Elizabeth, daughter of A. L. (this is Alanson Jefferson Gray, son of Lesley and Rebecca Farrow Dean-Gray) and Elizabeth Gray, of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Davis were the parents of two children, William C., Jr., and Elizabeth.

William Columbus Davis died on October 4, 1934.

Authorities:
Alabama Department of Archives and History, Official and Statistical Register, 1927, 22.
ADAH Surname Clippings File.