This lawyer, state legislator, and congressman, who played leading role in preventing 1861 secession of Kentucky, lived 1 block north. Davis represented Bourbon Co. in legislature. In Congress, 1839-47, 1861-72; Ky. Const. Conv., 1849. A Whig ally of Henry Clay, he joined the American (Know-Nothing) party but refused their nomination for pres., 1856; later a Democrat.