Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-08-02
Judge John Davenport.

Judge John Davenport.
Died, at his Sons residence IN Barnesville on
Wednesday the 18th ult, Hon. JOHN DAvEN-
PORT, aged 81 years.
Mark the perfect man, and behold the uprighi for
the end OF that man 10 peaco.-Ps 81 81.
Mr.. DAvENPoaT ives born at the White
House, Jefferson Co., Virginia, January 9th,
1888. His father was farmer, but Mr.. D.,
being of delicate constitution was placed
ih store at the age Of Ia. Three years
after at the early age of II, he embraced rei.
gion, and united himself with the Methodist
Church, sect at that time poor and despised.
In the year 1908 he was married to Miss
Martha Coulson, Of Cecil CO., Nd, who sur
wives him. His domestic life was one Of un-
interrupted happiness up to the day Of his
decease. Shortly after his marriage he was
appointed superintendent CT Opequon Manu-
factory which he managed to the entire salts.
faction Of the Company until 1917. when it
was sold, and passed into other hands.
His life at the factory he looked upon ss
the happest part Of his pilgrimage. While
there he was very active in the duties of re-
ligion, and many of the employees were con.
vertei. He was their class leader, and thus
enjoyed their confidence. Many of those
hands are still living and continue to be
"burnng and shining lights" IN church of
their choice. During his residence here he
wus licensed to exhort.
Alter leaving the Opequon Mandatory
heremoved tc Winchester, Va. In the sum
mer Of 1918, he and his wife visited Ohio on
horseback, and leaving her with her mother
and brother at Barnesville, he visited the
western part of this state, anI Kentucky
He returned home, and the same fall moved
to Barnesville, bringing with him stock Of
merchandise, with which he commenced busi-
ness. As an evidence Of his active benevo-
lence at this early period Of his life, we in.
stance the fact Of his having al this time
brought with him n widowed aunt and four
hildren, who needed assistance.
In 1870, in company with Bishop Nc.
Kendree, he visited the Wyandotte Indian
Mission, and in the fall Of :he same year he
was elected member of the House of Re-
presentatives Of this state. While there he
was no drone, but took an active part in
many public measures. He was also actively
engaged in the election of Judge Ruggles 20
the U. s. Stnate. In 1894 he was elected
to the State Senate, in 1896 he was elected
to Congress, and he was reelected to the
House of Representatives, in 1929, and while
there took an active part in the election OF
Thos. EWing to the U 8. Senate. He was
shortly after appointed Associate Judge for
Belmont County. In ls4l he removed to
Monroe County, and vas twice appointed As
sociate Judge fo' that County.
The foregoing Is but brief outline OF the
trusts rennsed in him by HE fellow eitinens.
He held many Offices Of trust, but to him {.
fee was no sinecure, fr in all his positions
20 public servant his peculi ar characteristic
was fidelity, and always striving to do right,
regardless of present consequences, well
knowing that the anal reward was sure.
From 1871 To 1925 he was extensively en-
gagged In cattle droving, for the purpose Of
invigorating his naturally feeble constitution
and he was at this time also instrumental in
introducing the culture Of Tobacco, at q time
when the ordinary products of a farm would
not command money; a large number Of men
procured comfortable shomes by this means.
AZ his children arrived at manhood he estab-
lisheS them In business, besides aiding many
other relatives and friends In business. In
is4s he was licensed as local preacher by
the III Z. Church.
AS public officer, In the halls of legisla.
ton, upon the bench and in the social circle
he was ever the same, honorable, and high
minded. commanding the respect, the sdmira.
sion and the regard Of oil with whom he was
acquainted.
But it is In the light Of hs religious charac.
ter that his public life 10 eclipsed. The
most admirable feature in his character 10
found in the fact that he loved and feared his
God; and though many and distinguished
were the honors he had hsapsd upon him by
This fellow men. yet honors, influence, talents,