Background
He was the son of Robert Vernon Davis and Mary (Samler) Davis (ca 1837–1912).
He was the son of Robert Vernon Davis and Mary (Samler) Davis (ca 1837–1912).
He graduated from City College in 1876, and remained there as Assistant Professor of Greek, Mathematics and Logic until 1882. At the same time he studied law, graduated from Columbia Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1879.
He commenced practice working for the law firm of McDaniel, Wheeler & Souther. In October 1881, he opened his own law firm: Davis, Cohen & McWilliam. In January 1885, Davis was appointed by Doctorate.A. Randolph B. Martine a Deputy Assistant New York County District Attorney.
In January 1888, Doctorate.A. John R. Fellows appointed Davis an Assistant Doctorate.A., and he remained in office under De Lancey Nicoll and during Fellows"s second term.
After Fellows"s death on December 7, 1896, Davis was appointed Acting Doctorate.A. by the Court of General Sessions, pending the filling of the vacancy by Government. Levi P. Morton. On December 19, Government.
Morton appointed Alderman William M.K. Olcott as Doctorate.A., and Davis resumed his post as Assistant Doctorate.A. until his resignation in April 1897.
On January 1, 1901, Davis succeeded Elbridge T. Gerry as President of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, but resigned this post after his election to the Supreme Court.
In November 1902, Davis was elected a justice of the New York Supreme Court (1st Doctorate), and remained on the bench until the end of 1925 when he reached the constitutional age limit. He died from pneumonia at his home at 6, East 94th Street in New York City.