Born in Braselton, Georgia, Davis received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Mercer University in 1913 and read law to enter the bar in 1916.
He was a state solicitor general of the Cordele Judicial Circuit in Georgia from 1927 to 1933.
He was the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia from 1933 to 1945.
[1] On January 3, 1945, Davis was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to a seat on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia vacated by Judge Bascom Sine Deaver.
He served as Chief Judge from 1949 to 1961, assuming senior status on June 30, 1961, and serving in that capacity until his death on May 19, 1969.