Francis R. Dovey, later known as Francis R. Davis, was a mulatto man born in Alabama around 1846. Although little is known about his parents, records indicate that his father was born in North Carolina and his mother in Virginia.

According to the 1910 United States Federal Census, Mr. Davis was 64 years old and lived in Huntsville’s 4th Ward in Madison County, Alabama, where he resided with his wife, Lou A. Davis, as the head of the household. Over the course of his career, Mr. Davis worked as a college professor and eventually rose to the position of principal at his school, Sherman Industrial Institute.

A respected community member and devoted Christian, Mr. Davis was described as a "thorough Christian gentleman always working for the church and its enterprises." In one of his sermons based on Psalm 119:1-36, Mr. Davis emphasized the importance of trusting in God rather than placing faith in worldly power. His powerful delivery deeply resonated with the congregation at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of America.

Professionally, Mr. Davis was highly regarded and known for his contributions to education. He was appointed, along with Miss A. Kyte and Professor Peter H. Clark, to create a daily exercise program for rural school students, a role assigned by the Madison County Teacher's Institute on March 31.

Mr. Davis was involved in many civic and business activities in the community. He was the President of the Huntsville Gazette's stockholders, worked in real estate, served as chairman of a group who worked in the interest of laborers, served as a juror in federal court, was chair of the Convention of the Eighth District in Decatur, among other activities.

Mr. Davis was also deeply committed to the city’s youth, especially young men, and served as President of the Young Men's Home Circle, where he played a vital role in their development and support.

“Federal Court – Grand Jurors,” Huntsville Independent, Huntsville, AL, Thu, Oct 9, 1894, p. 3

1910 U.S. Federal Census, Francis R. Dovey, Huntsville, Madison Co, AL, age 64, Ancestry.com.

“Teacher’s Institute,” Huntsville Gazette,” Huntsville, AL, Sat, Apr 7, 1888, p. 3.

“Mr. Francis Davis,” Huntsville Gazette,” Huntsville, AL, Sat, Jul 30, 1887, p. 3.

“Madison County Teacher’s Institute,” Huntsville Gazette,” Huntsville, AL, Sat, Feb 19, 1887, p. 3.

“Labor Meeting,” Huntsville Gazette,” Huntsville, AL, Sat, Jan 28, 1888, p. 3.

“Resolutions of Sympathy and Respect,” Huntsville Gazette,” Huntsville, AL, Sat, Aug 12, 1882, p. 3.

“Young Men’s Home Circle,” Huntsville Gazette,” Huntsville, AL, Sat, Jun 3, 1882, p. 3.

“Resolutions Adopted, Speeches and other Proceedings,” Huntsville Gazette,” Huntsville, AL, Sat, Sep 8, 1883, p. 3.

“Sherman Institute,” The Journal,” Huntsville, AL, Thu, Oct 17, 1901, p. 3.

“Sherman Institute,” The Journal,” Huntsville, AL, Fri, May 8, 1896, p. 3.

“Sherman Institute Burned,” The Journal,” Huntsville, AL, Fri, Jun 15, 1900, p. 3.

“Officers of the Gazette Company,” Huntsville Gazette,” Huntsville, AL, Sat, Feb 4, 1882, p. 3.

“The Ticket Ratified,” Huntsville Gazette,” Huntsville, AL, Sat, Jul 15, 1882, p. 3.

“Mr. Davis to Raise Funds,” The Journal,” Huntsville, AL, Thu, Oct 9, 1902, p. 3.