John Warren Davis, From Pasquotank Farm to U.S. Court of Appeals, Aug. 20, 1920

 From the front page of The Independent, Elizabeth City, N.C., Friday, August 20, 1920. Photo from Ballotpedia

From the Farm to Greatness. . . Former Pasquotank Boy Now Judge of Supreme Court of Appeals

John Warren Davis, judge of the United States Circuit Court of Appeals of the circuit comprising the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, was a visitor to this city and section last Friday, Saturday and sunday. Judge Davis was born and raised on a farm in the Berea neighborhood of Providence township, and his recent visit brings to mind the entertaining story of his rise from a farm boy to a judge of the Supreme Court, covering many years, in which courage, persistence and determination were factors which helped raise him to his present prominence.

As a boy, John Warren Davis made up his mind that some day he would be great. The boy realized that the man would need a thorough education if he would rise to eminence, and so he proceeded to get it as best he could. When a very young man, the present judge made arrangements which permitted him to attend the University of Pennsylvania, and after graduation from that institution, he attended Crozier Theological Seminary, later going to the University ofLekipsic, Germany, long considered the educational center of the world.

Upon the completion of his college and univesity work, John Warren Davis was duly ordained as a minister, and succeeding years found him holding important pastorates in various cities in the North. Meanwhile his brother James had completed a law course, and in due time he induced John Warren likewise to take up the legal profession. So John Warren Davis gave up the ministry and became a lawyer, practicing in New Jersey. In due time he entered politics and when Woodrow Wilson became governor of New Jersey, State Senator Davis early was chocen as one of the intimates of the future president of the United States.

A few years later, John Warren Davis was appointed United States district attorney for the State of New Jersey. then came his elevation to the Supreme Court bench, the position which he now holds. Literally, the distinguished judge has risen from farm boy to a position of nationwide prominence, large by dint of tireless energy judiciously expended.

Though his features bear the mark of the passing years, Judge Davis has the cheerful outlook of a boy. He took great pleasure in looking up old friends while here, particularly in the Berea section where he was raised, and during his short visit he became a familiar figure at the revival meetings at Berea church, as he walked from group to group, his hat under his arm, exchanging cheerful greetings with all. The two brothers of Judge Davis have likewise made good in the world. Q.C. Davis is a Baptist minister now holding a pastorate at Albemarle, N.C., and James M. Davis is a prominent attorney of Philadelphia. Judge Davis now resides at Trenton, New Jersey, and the court over which he presides holds its sessions just across the Delaware river in Philadelphia.