The New York herald., 1877-09-02
OBITUARY..
e. L. DAVENPORT, TRAeEDIAN.


Mr. E. L. Davenport, the eminent tragedian, died at
his residence at Canton, Pa, yesterday, at nine min
utes 10 twolve O'Clock. His disease was rheumatic
fever, eliminating in rheumatism OF the heart His
last appearance IN May last under engagement
with jarrett Palmer. but on account Of
bad health obliged to retire TO his
home. which time he has been a
great sufferer. He attended during his last sick.
ness principally by Dr.. Smith, OF Canton, who was
unt,ring in his Efforts remaining most OF the time
with his patient, assisted by Dr. bowling, of Now
York, upd DR.. Weightman. OF Philadelphia. Mr.
Davenport remained conscious TO- tue last, and had
parting word for each OF his family who were
all with him, except Miss Blanche who
is in Italy, aud Miss May, who is now on
her roturn from Europe, and s expected to
arrive in New York on Monday He leaves wife and
seven children-Miss Fanny; Lille Mrs. Thorn;
Blanche, May, Florence, Edgar and Harry. Mrs
Davenport greatly prostrated by the death of
husband At the time OF his death there present
besides his family Mrs. Frank Mayo, Mrs. Peter Her.
die and his niece Mrs. Wales and the attending ply
sicans.
Edward Lafayette Davenport was born in the city Of
Boston, Mass, in the month of November, 1916. He
received fair education in boyhood and entered u
dry goods store in his native city beginning e
But mercantile pursuits dstasteul to him. and
having pcnchant Tor the dramatic stage, he decided
to adopt that profession as a means 0l livelihood
Having formed a boyish friendship for Edward H.
CDapiD the now distinguished Universalist divine,
fuding him also decided adopting the theatrical
profession, Davenport Joined with Chapn in gong
Providence H. l., for the purpose of preparing them.
selves for q debut. Mr.. Chaplin, however, altered his
mind before that event was possible, aud changed
his course Of study order TO enter the ministry.
But, though ehese young men found their paths OF
Ito Vinu in aft ifa friand
ship between them was always strong and iervent
one Davenport npally made his bow before the foot
lights In the year 1887 at the old Lion Theatre in Prov
dence r. L., in the character of Passion viii In tho
play OF "a New Way to Pay Old Dcbts," tho elder
Booth being the Sir Giles Overreich. The impression
made by Davenport was favorableOne and Mr.. Booth
touk lively interest In the young actor During the
following year Davenport APPEARED at the Walnut
Street Theatre as Count Montalban in "The Honey
moon" He subsequently appeared at the Chestnut
Street Theatre remaining there several seasons When
Hamblin med the management OF the old Bowery
Theatre iu this city, 1874, he gathered round him
"A company that became famous in after years. Among
them was II. l.. Davenport, ond lie soon became
prime iavorle, for hls genial, open-hearted nature
made hiin many frends In tnose days actors wero
access bic to the general pu5c than now,
the city being quite small compared 10 us present d.
mensions. consequently iavorie actors found them
selves the centre oil host OF personal iriends. In
this way young Davenport became acquainted with
BENEFITS notable events Tor the house used to DC
crammed from pit TO dome. much to the pecuniary
bcnent OF tho recipient. "Ned" Davenport Was II
familiar TO all, and the cndearIng ab5revation
clung to him until the day OF his death HIS Drst
benefit III New York was 10 have taken place on the
very evening o the day wncn the Bowery Theatre was
uestroycu by hrs, In April, 1915.
After remaining AT the Bowery for several seasons
Mr. Davenport found himself the front rank of his
profession and really star Of no mean magnitude.
While recognized as traecdan oil great merit ne was
so versauIe thut II was no uncommon thing Tor MIN
set down on the biii TO dancc sailors hornpipe
between the pieces that nude up tho programme OF
the entertainment. The mama among American
actors visit England was then at It's
height, lSl7 Mf. Davenport listened 10
the advice OF his irichds aud the Atlantic.
Mrs Mowati, then i'll the height OF her popularity.
was preparing ior extended tour through Great |
Britain and ireland, ana after due consideration
sceced Mr. Davcn port.as her support in the eading
male rates IN hor rtpefoile TINS nncr was accrpsc'
Davenport was received with great iavor abroad
lie his debut nj tho Manchester Iueatre, Deccn-
Der o. iS47, The Lady OF Lyons playing Claude
Mclnoltc to Mrs Mowati's Pauline. They were both
successful and playe together several seasons AFTER
u tour through the provinces Mr. Davenport played
in London, and was so successful that when Macready
en- cred farewell tour hc selected "Ned' rs his
priuc,pai support From that time The position oil
the American actor was an assured one
Tho next important event in his career was that OF
marriage IN the year lS5O lie having formed an ardent
attachment for tEo beautiful Miss Fanny Vining, thch
rising young traeedienne. Mr.. ahd Mrs. pavehpor.
subsequently, appeared together, and they were very
successful both in an artstic aud pccuniary sense
From this UNION sprans two distinguished artists, Que
being Fanny Davenport whose recent SUCCESSES AT
me FItn Avenue rnea re- are well known 10 need
&C. ndcd lusion The other daughter, MISS Blanche
Davenport mas adopted the lyric rtsgc ior her voca.
tion anu studying IN Italy with great promise
o future success Tho DSvenports renamed IN Eng
land until 1854, whom they came 10 America tle hus.
band hopes OF renewing MS 1ormer successes, aud
the wile bow to new audcnces 0y her husbands
side. In these hopes they were only partially sue
ccssfu tor limc, hckIe Is the actors pubic they
made heir FIRST appearance september. 1884, at the
old Broadway Theatre, ia ''Uthello,' Mr. Davenport
playing tue title role and his wife the character OF
d sdenona 1t was during this engagement that they
produced an original piece called Isl. hsrci or,