|
Davis, Jefferson, Confederate President
The following data is extracted from Counties Of Todd And Christian, Kentucky - Christian.
Mr. Davis was born June 3, 1808, in the village of Fairview, just over the line in the present County of Todd, but in what was then Christian County. His father, Samuel Davis, removed to Mississippi when the future great states-man was but a child. The latter soon returned to Kentucky, and was for a time a student in Transylvania University at Lexington. He entered West Point Military Academy in 1824, and graduated from it in 1828, and served in the army until 1835, when he resigned. He participated in the Black Hawk war, and in other campaigns against the Indians. His political career commenced in 1844 as Presidential Elector for Mr. Polk; he was elected to Congress in 1845, but resigned the next year to take command of a Mississippi regiment in the Mexican war; he was promoted Brig - Gen. for his gallant conduct at Buena Vista, where it was claimed his regiment, by its valor and steadiness, turned the tide of battle and won a great victory. Mr. Davis entered the United States Senate in 1847, by appointment, to fill a vacancy, and upon the expiration of the term was unanimously elected by the Legislature his own successor. He resigned in 1853 to accept the position of Secretary of War under President Pierce. In 1857 he was again elected to the United States Senate, but withdrew in January, 1861, in consequence of Mississippi having seceded from the Union. Since then, Mr. Davis' public career is so well known to the American people as to require no mention here.
A few years ago Mr. Davis, through a special invitation, visited Hopkinsville, and delivered an address at the opening of the agricultural fair, to the largest assemblage of people, perhaps, ever seen in Christian County, on any public occasion. While here he visited his old homethe house in which he was born-in Fairview. The old house is still standing, and Mr. Davis went and took a look at it. A large number of people had congregated to see the great Southern statesman. While in the house with a number of his friends, an old lady stepped up to him, and shaking him by the hand, said, " Mr. Davis, I am glad to see you. I knew your mother. Do you see that bed? " pointing to a bed in the corner of the room, " just where that bed stands, there stood one then, and upon it you were born, for I was present." Mr. Davis, with a courtly bow and a benignant smile, replied, " No doubt, my dear madam, what you say is true; you remember the event far more vividly than I do." His visit here, and at Fairview, are well remembered, and all who came in contact with him were charmed with his courtesy and dignity, and his kindliness of manner.
Source: Counties Of Todd And Christian, Kentucky - Christian
Go Back
|
|
