jldavenport.html

Portland, Oregon - Its History and Builders, S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago-Portland, 1911
Page 551-2

JOHN LEWIS DAVENPORT

While John Lewis Davenport is numbered as a pioneer of the Pacific coast and a successful business man of Oregon, that which causes his memory to be most highly revered and honored is the ready and generous help which he extended to the emigrants who came to this country without means. Many a family has reason to hold him in grateful remembrance for timely assistance in the hour of need.
Mr. Davenport came to America at the age of thirteen years, residing first in San Francisco. About four years later he removed to Carson City and a. year later, in 1855, settled at The Dalles, where he engaged in the livery business and also ran a packet train between The Dalles and Portland until about 1860. Through the succeeding twenty years lie was engaged in stock-raising. In 1880 he went from The Dalles to the John Day country, but there suffered heavy losses, his stock being largely killed in the severe winters. In 1882 he removed to Mosier, where he gave his attention to raising stock and fruit, continuing in the business until his death, which occurred in 1904 when he was sixty-eight years of age. For many years he purchased horses for the government and also supplies. He was always ready to help those who came to the northwest without capital or means to secure the necessities of life, and he was one of the most prominent of the early pioneers of The Dalles.
Mr. Davenport was married at The Dalles to Miss Mary Heintz, whose father came from Neiderweiser, Buchbach, Germany. Mrs. Davenport survived her husband for about five years and passed away in May, 1909. In their family were ten children of whom eight are living: Rose E., the wife of P. H. Robinson, of Portland; Caroline, who wedded F. S. Gunning, of The Dalles; George Lewis, of Portland; John T., residing at Mosier, Oregon; Mary Frances, deceased; Catherine, the wife of Harry Kemp, of Hood River, Oregon; Charles H., of Portland; Nellie L., who married F. B. Wood and has recently passed away; Alice, who is single; and Gertrude May, the wife of Ray Sturgis, of Mosier, Oregon.
In his political faith Mr. Davenport was a republican where national issues were involved, but cast an independent local ballot. Fraternally he was connected with the Odd Fellows and his religious belief was with the Catholic church. His word was indeed of large worth to his fellowmen and his energy and business ability made him a valuable factor in promoting the material development of this state.