Walter Naylor Davis (November 29, 1876 – September 16, 1951) was an American Democratic politician from the state of

Missouri Missouri (''see #Etymology and pronunciation, pronunciation'') is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it border ...

. He was the state's 34th

Lieutenant Governor A lieutenant governor, lieutenant-governor, or vice governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction. Often a lieutenant governor is the deputy, or lieutenant, to or ranked under a governor — a "second-in-comm ...

and a former commissioner of the

Missouri Supreme Court The Supreme Court of Missouri (SCOMO) is the highest court in the state of Missouri. It was established in 1820 and is located at 207 West High Street in Jefferson City, Missouri. Missouri voters have approved changes in the state's constitutio ...

Personal history

Davis was born in

St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an Independent city (United States), independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi River, Mississippi and the Miss ...

, the son of Judge Alexander Davis and Alice (Edwards) Davis. He had two brothers and three sisters. Davis' father had been a Colonel in the 5th Division of the Missouri State Guards during the Civil War. and later a judge in the

Montana Territory The Territory of Montana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 26, 1864, until November 8, 1889, when it was admitted as the 41st state in the Union as the state of Montana. Original boundaries ...

before returning to St. Louis and practicing law. Davis received his secondary education at Smith Academy (St. Louis), graduating in 1894. He received his college degree from

Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt University (informally Vandy or VU) is a private university, private research university in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, it was named in honor of shipping and railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provide ...

in 1898, and law degree from

Saint Louis University Saint Louis University (SLU) is a private university, private Society of Jesus, Jesuit research university in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1818 by Louis William Valentine DuBourg, it is the oldest university west of the Missi ...

in 1900. In 1901 he married Roberta Randolph Morrison. Davis practiced law as a partner in the firm of Bates, Blodgett, Williams & Davis. He died September 16, 1951, and is buried in

Bellefontaine Cemetery Bellefontaine Cemetery is a nonprofit, non-denominational cemetery and arboretum in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1849 as a rural cemetery, Bellefontaine has several architecturally significant monuments and mausoleums such as the Louis Su ...

in St. Louis.

Political history

Davis made his first foray into elective politics in 1916 by running for a circuit judge position in St. Louis County. However he was soundly defeated by his Republican opponent. He served twice as a commissioner of the Missouri Supreme Court, first in 1923, then again from 1927 to 1931 In 1944 Davis won a narrow victory to become Missouri's 34th Lieutenant Governor.

References

Lieutenant governors of Missouri Missouri Democrats Vanderbilt University alumni Saint Louis University alumni 1876 births 1951 deaths Politicians from St. Louis Burials at Bellefontaine Cemetery {{Missouri-politician-stub