McDAVID, EDMUND RICHARDSON, businessman and Secretary of State; was born February 2, 1870, at Huntsville; son of John Jackson and Mary Jane (Patton) McDavid, and brother of Robert Patton McDavid. His early education was received in private schools, and from a tutor; attended Florence State Normal School, and Bingham School, Ashville, N.C., one year each; and at the University of Alabama, 1886-87. He became an employee of the Alabama National Bank in 1887; later engaged in the insurance business; removed to New Orleans, La., in 1894, where he was cashier for the Standard Oil Co.; three years later transferred to Charleston, S.C., and after one year's residence there resigned his position to again engage in the insurance business in Birmingham; was secretary of the Southern Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and of the Birmingham Underwriters' Agency, which positions he held until appointed Secretary of State by Gov. Wm. D. Jelks to fill the unexpired term of J. Thomas Heflin, who had been elected as representative in Congress.

Upon the expiration of his term of office in 1907 he returned to Birmingham where he engaged in the real estate and insurance business. He was a Democrat; and an Episcopalian. Married: June 30, 1891, at Birmingham, to Mittie, daughter of Rose W. and Sarah E. (Smith) Owen; grandaughter of Dr. Joseph R. and Margaret (Jordan) Smith. Children: 1. Rose Owen, m. Lonnie R. Munger; residence, Birmingham; 2. Edmund Richardson, jr.; 3. John Jackson, jr.; 4. Mitylene Owen. Residence: Birmingham.

Authorities:
Owen, Thomas McAdory, History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography. Spartanburg: The Reprint Company Publishers, 1978 (1921), 1108.