James P. Davis papers
Overview
The papers of James P. Davis are those of a Kansas City, Kansas attorney who served in the State House of Representatives and as County Commissioner for the 2nd District of Wyandotte County.
Dates
- Creation: 1952 - 1983
Creator
- Davis, James P., 1927-1979 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
No access restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.
Biography of James. P. Davis
James Parker Davis was born July 21, 1921 in Memphis, Tennessee. After attending school in Memphis, Davis received his Bachelor of Science degree from LeMoyne College (Memphis) and his LL.B. degree from Washburn University. After settling in Kansas City, Kansas, Davis served as an Assistant County Attorney from 1951-1969. During that time he also was the special attorney for the Kansas Highway Department (1966-1969) as well as for the Urban Renewal Agency in Kansas City, KS (1969). In 1959, Davis was elected to the Kansas State House of Representatives from the 8th district, which became the 6th district after redistricting, the 30th and the 34th districts. He served as a Representative until his resignation in 1973. That year Davis was appointed County Commissioner of the 2nd District of Wyandotte County; he was then elected to the position in 1974 and reelected in 1978. He served as Commissioner until his death on 22 October 1979.
Davis was active in a number of organizations including the NAACP, Omega Psi Phi, Trouveurs Social Club, and Our Lady St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. He was a member of various bar associations in Kansas. Davis was also a US Army veteran, having served in World War II.
Davis married Marita Burnett in 1947. The couple had three children, Je Parker, Daphne, and Lezlie.
Extent
.75 Linear Feet (2 document cases + 7 folders, 1 oversize folder, 1 oversize box)
Language of Materials
English
Scope and Contents
The Papers of James P. Davis date from 1952-1983 and are arranged in two series: Career Papers and Personal Papers. Career Papers include clippings, correspondence, and election materials. The Personal Papers includes correspondence and clippings. Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic within each series. Photographs from the James P. Davis Collection are located at RH MS-P 662 and RH MS-P (f) 662. Oversize materials are at RH MS R136.
Series List
The Papers of James P. Davis date from 1952-1983 and are arranged in two series: Career Papers and Personal Papers.
Physical Location
RH MS 662
Physical Location
RH MS-P 662
Physical Location
RH MS-P (f) 662
Physical Location
RH MS R136
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift, Marita Davis, 1988, 1993.
Subject
- Davis, James P., 1927-1979 (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the James P. Davis Collection
- Subtitle
- James P. Davis papers
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by mbw, 2006; revised by, cl 2010; revised by skt, 2010; Finding aid encoded by mbw, 2006; revised by skt, 2006
- Date
- 2006
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Finding aid written in <language encodinganalog="language">English.</language>
- Sponsor
- Support for the processing of this Collection was provided by the Dana and Sue Anderson African American Collecting Program Endowment Fund.
- Finding aid permalink
- http://hdl.handle.net/10407/3959044391
- Preferred citation
-
James P. Davis Collection, Kansas Collection, RH MS 662, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas Libraries
Repository Details
Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository