Sessums, Davis, Rt. Reverend

Submitted by Mike Miller

Sessums, Davis, Rt. Rev., bishop of Louisiana, was born in Houston, Tex., July 7, 1858. His parents were Alexander and Mary (Runnels) Sessums. He was educated at the University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn.; from which institution he received the degree of Master of Arts in July, 1878. For a short while in 1878 and 1879 he pursued the study of law at the University of Virginia. He became a candidate for holy orders in the Episcopal church in the Diocese of Texas, in 1879. For 2 years, July, 1879, to July, 1881, he held the position of head-master of the grammar school of the University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn., and pursued at the same time his theological studies as a special student in the theological department of the university. He was ordained deacon by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Alexander Gregg, bishop of Texas, Feb. 5, 1882, and ordained priest by Bishop Gregg, Aug. 13, 1883. He held 3 parishes: Grace church, Galveston, Tex.; Calvary church, Memphis, Tenn.; Christ church, New Orleans, La. He was consecrated assistant bishop of the Diocese of Louisiana, June 24, 1891; and upon the decease of the Rt. Rev. Dr. J. N. Galleher, bishop of Louisiana, Bishop Sessums became bishop of the diocese. He received the honorary degree of D. D. from the University of the South. He married Miss Alice Castleman Galleher, oldest daughter of Rt. Rev. Dr. John N. and Charlotte Barbee Galleher, Dec. 18, 1890. There are 4 children: Mrs. Alice Sessums Leovy, Miss Charlotte Galleher Sessums, A. Cleveland Sessums, Davis Sessums, Jr. Bishop Sessums is ex-officio member of the board of trustees of the University of the South, a member of the board of trustees of the Howard Memorial library, New Orleans, La.; a Mason, member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Writings: Addresses before Diocesan Council; Sermons, Addresses, Lectures on special occasions.

Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), p. 392. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.