Robert H. M. Davidson Explained

Image Name:Robert_Hamilton_McWhorta_Davidson.jpg
State1:Florida
Term Start1:March 4, 1877
Term End1:March 3, 1891
Predecessor1:William J. Purman
Successor1:Stephen Mallory II
Office5:Member of the Florida House of Representatives
Term5:1856  - 1859
Office6:Member of the Florida Senate
Term6:1860  - 1862
Birth Date:September 23, 1832
Birth Place:Near Quincy, Florida
Death Place:Quincy, Florida
Party:Democratic
Profession:Lawyer, Politician
Alma Mater:University of Virginia
Serviceyears:1862–1865
Battles:American Civil War
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel

Robert Hamilton McWhorta Davidson (September 23, 1832 – January 18, 1908) was a U.S. Representative from Florida.

Biography

Born near Quincy, Florida, Davidson attended the common schools and the Quincy Academy in Quincy, Florida.He studied law at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.He was admitted to the bar in 1853 and commenced practice in Quincy, Florida.He served as member of the State house of representatives 1856–1859.He served in the State senate 1860–1862.He retired from the State senate in 1862 and served during the Civil War in the Confederate States Army as captain of Infantry and later with rank of lieutenant colonel.He served as member of the State constitutional convention in 1865.

Davidson was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-fifth and to the six succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1891).He served as chairman of the Committee on Railways and Canals (Forty-eighth through Fiftieth Congresses).He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1890 to the Fifty-second Congress.He served as member of the State railroad commission in 1897 and 1898. Also member of the Florida Public Service Commission (July 1, 1897 - January 3, 1899).He engaged in the practice of his profession until his death in Quincy, Florida, January 18, 1908.He was interred in Western Cemetery.