Vernon M. Davis

Vernon Mansfield Davis (January 29, 1855 – April 17, 1931) was an American lawyer and politician from New York.

Early life Davis was born on January 29, 1855, in New York City. He was the son of Robert Vernon Davis (1830–1913) and Mary (née Samler) Davis (1837–1912). A descendant of "old New York" families, his maternal grandparents were Jane Ogden (née Mansfield) Samler and Nicholas Samler, a grandson of Casper Samler, who owned land that today comprises the greater part of Fifth Avenue from Madison Square to 31st Street.

After attending public and private schools in New York, he graduated from City College in 1876. 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 known as Davis, Cohen & McWilliam. In January 1888, D.A. John R. Fellows appointed Davis an Assistant D.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 D.A. by the Court of General Sessions, pending the filling of the vacancy by Gov. Levi P. Morton. On December 19, 1896, Gov. Morton appointed Alderman William M.K. Olcott as D.A., and Davis resumed his post as Asst. D.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 D.), and remained on the bench until the end of 1925 when he reached the constitutional age limit.

Personal life On June 17, 1885, Davis was married to Harriet Lobdell (1863–1920). She was a daughter of the Rev. Dr. Francis Lobdell and Julia Almira (née Danforth) Lobdell, both from Connecticut.

After a four-month illness, he died from pneumonia at his home at 6 East 94th Street in New York City.