A Highly Respected Citizen of Pendleton Township Passes Over the Dark River

Lorenzo Dow DAVENPORT, postmaster at Belle Rive, died at his home in that village shortly after 6 o'clock yesterday afternoon, of congestion of the stomach, after a brief illness.

Deceased was one of the most influential and best known citizens of Pendleton township, and leaves a host of warm personal friends to mourn his death.

Mr. DAVENPORT was born in Indiana November 14, 1838, consequently aged 59 years, 5 months and 6 days.

He was of English descent and his father, Edmund DAVENPORT, who was born in Virginia, came west when a young man and settled in Indiana and afterward came to this county where he engaged in farming and where he died in 1848.

The mother of the deceased, Mary DAVENPORT, was born in Kentucky and reared a large family of children.

Mr. DAVENPORT was chiefly educated in the schools of Jefferson county. In his early life he worked on a farm and afterwards learned the blacksmith's trade which he followed for twenty-five years.

In 1882 he formed a partnership with William HUNTER and engaged in lumbering and agricultural implement business which was jointly conducted for several years when Mr. HUNTER sold his interest to Mr. DAVENPORT and moved to northern Illinois.

He was twice married. His first wife, Mary C. ESTES, died October 27, 1873, leaving five children.

Mr. DAVENPORT'S second marriage was to Miss Louise S. BUNNELL, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse BUNNELL.

There were six children in the second marriage. In addition to his prominence in business and social matters he was an old soldier and took an active interest in Grand Army affairs and everything relating to those who served their country on Southern battlefields.

The funeral was held at 11:30 this morning with interment at Belle Rive. The obsequies were conducted by Rev. W. A. BROWDER, assisted by Rev. J. C. KINNISON.

The following officers and members of the Masonic lodge of this city left on the L & N train this morning to attend the funeral: Dr. Walter WATSON, S.H. WATSON, Joe V. BAUGH, D.H. WISE, Thos. JONES, Morris EMMERSON, R.J. BOND, J.H.MITCHELL, F.E. PATTON, Jo HOWARD and J.W. BAUGH.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: April 21, 1898
Submitted By: Sharlet Bigham LaBarbera - Jan 22, 1998

Lorenzo D. Davenport

Lorenzo D. Davenport, more familiarly known as Rube Davenport, was born in Posey county, Indiana November 14, 1839 and died after less than one weeks illness at his home in Belle Rive, Jefferson county, Illinois.

He was united in marriage August 5, 1860, with Mary C. Estes.

To this union six children were born Emma L. died in infancy, Minnie E, the widow of C. C. Kniffln, Nellie T, the wife of S. T. Laird, Maggie, Josie the wife of Chas Rogers, Kate the wife of Quince Wilbanks, Jr.

After the death of his first wife he was married to Miss Louisa Bunnel, Dec. 24, 1874.

To this union six children were born: Jessie, Otis, Evalou, Fannie, Flossie and Bessie. Jessie and Fannie died in infancy; Leaving five children of the first marriage, four married and one single, and four of the last, all single, with their mother to survive their loss.

Mr. Davenport was a soldier in the last war, a member of the G A. R. and a prominent Mason. His brethern of Bell Rive Lodge No. 696, having such confidence and respect for him, honored him many times by electing him Worshipful Master. He was prominent in polities, being a staunch republican, and has been elected by his party as supervisor of Pendelton township, and other minor offices. He was appointed postmaster under Harrison's administration and again under McKinley's, being postmaster at his death. He was always found on the side of morlity and temperance, a man that was respected by his neighbors and acquaintances.

His funeral was preached by Rev. W. A. Browder, assisted by Rev. J. C. Kinnison in the M. E. Church in Bell Rive, April 21, 1898, to a very large audience of relatives and friends. He was then buried under the auspices of the Masonic Lodge of Bell Rive, assisted by Masons from Mt. Vernon, Opdyke and Dahlgren lodges, and his body laid to rest in the cemetery north of Belle Rive.

Source: Mt. Vernon area Newspaper/found on
Date: April 21, 1898
the back of an old picture.
Submitted by: Kathryn Coatney