HON. ROBERT H. DAVIS was born in Mercer county, Ky., now known as Boyle county. He came with his parents, Cyrus A. and Diana R. (Montague) Davis, to Greene county, Ill., in 1832, and here grew to manhood, being educated principally in private schools. He subsequently removed to St. Louis, and for six or seven years was a clerk in a wholesale dry goods house, after which he entered into a large wholesale grocery and commission business, under the firm name of R. H. Davis & Co., which he vigorously continued until 1867. At that time he returned to Carrollton, and in 1869, with J. B. Nulton, as partner, and under the firm name of Davis & Nulton, engaged in the grain trade. When Col. Nulton withdrew, Mr. Davis continued alone until 1883, when he became manager of the grain trade of D. R. Sparks & Co., and also associated D. M. Fishback as partner, and under the firm style of Fishback & Davis, engaged in the sale of flour, feed, fuel and all kinds of grain, except wheat. Feb. 4, 1867, Mr. Davis was united in marriage with Mary C. Newson, of Petersburg, Va., whose death occurred Feb. 18, 1872, leaving four children - Anna M., Cornelia, Lizzie and Roberta L. Politically, Mr. Davis is a democrat. In 1872, Mr. Davis was selected by a non-party vote to serve the city of Carrollton as mayor. On retirement from that office, he attended quietly to his large interest in the grain trade until again called upon to serve as mayor in 1877, receiving a large majority of the votes cast. In 1885 Mr. Davis was honored with the election to succeed Frank M. Bridges, as state senator, whose death occurred in March of this year, and was the unanimous choice of the voters of this district, there being no opposing candidate. Of Senator Davis' short term in the senate the Missouri Republican paid him the following compliment at the close of the 34th general assembly: "This general assembly contained many good and reputable men, and none more so than Senator Davis, of Greene, who was elected to fill the unexpired term of late Senator Frank Bridges, of that county. Mr. Davis, although a new member, and taking his seat long after the work of the session had begun, proved a most careful and efficient legislator, always at his post and always on the right side of those questions in which the people are most interested. he has done so well for the short term, his constituents would render a deserved compliment to a good democrat and a faithful senator by giving him a long term." While a resident of St. Louis Mr. Davis was four years a director of the Mercantile Library Association, and two years vice-president. he always manifested an active interest in the same, and is still an energetic worker in literary affairs. Mr. Davis is a courteous, sociable and agreeable gentleman, is a warm advocate and supporter of the temperance cause, but not a prohibitionist. he manifests a great deal of interest in anything pertaining to educational matters and its advancement, and is now serving his sixth year as a member of the board of education, and the third year as president of the same. He is a forcible and fluent speaker and always commands attention.