HON. RICHARD BEALE DAVIS
Was born in Norfolk county, Virginia, on February 5, 1845, the son of
Williams T. Davis, who was born in Gloucester county, Virginia,
February 6, 1817, and died July 17, 1888. His mother, born in Westmoreland
county, Virginia, in 1815, died January 21, 1851, was
Elizabeth T. C. Beale. His wife, born in Lynchburg, Virginia, is Nannie
W., daughter of Charles H. Hall who was born in North Carolina, and
died in August, 1872. Her mother was Annie S. Duffey, born in
Alexandria, Virginia, now living in Petersburg. Richard B., first-born
of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Davis, died in 1877. Their remaining
children are: Nannie H., Charles H., Robert B. and John W.
At the age of seventeen years, in May, 1862, Mr. Davis entered the
Confederate States Army, Company E, 12th Virginia Infantry, with
which he served until the close at Appomattox. He was slightly
wounded in the battle of Seven Pines, and again wounded at Petersburg
(battle of the Crater). Returning home he resumed his studies, and
took the academic course in the University of Virginia, then studied
law in the same university, and was graduated in June, 1870. He
settled in Petersburg, and has since been engaged in practice in that
city and adjoining counties. He was a member of Virginia legislature
from Petersburg in 1875-77.
