Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1890-09-13
Dnyenport Rcunion.


In good old colonial days one Garre
Davenport with three half brother
came from Holland to America an
located in New Jersey. This circum
stance coupled with the undoubte
English character of the name
is almost certain evidence that TIL
family was one of the many who ha
been driven from England in the day
of religious persecution to find a
asylum in Holland, and afterwsrd
home in wild but free America.
The reunion was Of the descendant
of Martin Davenport one of the fou
sons of this original emigrant from
Holland and was held on Sept. 4, at tn,
residence of Alanson Davenport, o
Perrysburg. Ohio, the Oldest son o
Martin, and the oldest living represen
tative of the line. Bending with the
weight of his 81 winters, he was by
thirteen years the patriarch of the
gathering. Four of his brothers and
sisters were present, making one-hall
of the original family of ten.
Two other sisters are still living,
both unable to attend. AS it was the
first, sixth, seventh, eight and ninth
of the family were in attendance with
an average age of IL.
OF the second generation, Geo. NJ.
Davenport, of Woodland, Mich, is the
senior, being the oldest child of the
Oldest member of the line, Alanson.
OF the twentv-one members of this
second generation, the average age is
AZ.
Remarkable as it is, there was in the
whole company of IS, twenty-five of
whom were over fifty years of age,
but one who is in any sense removed
from the most active business. And
who shall say that a man at 81 has not
the right to expect younger heads and
hands to discharge the business duties
of life? Yet as it is, few days pass by
in which this Oldest living Daven-
port fails to do manual labor.
So they all came; big Davenports
and little Davenports; Davenports by
birth and Davenports by adoption: old
and young: black, bald, ,and gray headed,
brothers, sisters, husbands, wives,
uncles, aunts, cousins, dogs, cats,
chiclSens-both live and dead, pies,
cakes, bananas and the''water million"
They were all there, appetite and all
and Davenport good nature ruled the
day.
1t must be honestly confessed that
the behavior was rather the worst at
the large center table where the oldest
and, as would be supposed, the most
sedate and exemplary specimens were
seated. But you know that when a
Davenport by marriage puts salt in his
coffee, Il Davenport by birth is bound
to laugh at him. If this is not proper
thing to do, why then it simply proves
that the family is improving.
After dinner II portion of the time
was employed in brief speeches tending
mostly TO sound the praises of the
Davenports. If one might believe all
the wonderful things asserted it would
be clearly proved that the family is
most remarkable one and that it is
lucliey to be II Davenport even by
marriage or adoption.
The first to speak was the one son of
Geo. M.Davenport-Eug NJ. Davenport.
professor of Agriculture in Michigan
Agricultural College. He called
attention to the fact that America
never amouated to much until since
the Davenports came. 1t is rather too
bad that our histories have failed to
notice and appreciate this connection
Sidney Davenport announced that
the only behavior of the family that
might be criticised was some Of his
own. 1t happened that in old army
days large cheese adhered to his
rubber blanket, carelessly thrown over
it while taking lunch. After reaching
camp he noticed the cheese and tried
to make it take the oath of allegiance.
Failing in this he confiscated it as
he was in duty bound to do. This was
not case OF theft and the fault lay
clearly with the cheese.
Many others were called out and in
presenting their compliments to the
company expressed their pleasure at
being presenG at this the first of many
yet to be.
Permanent organization was effected
with Franklin Davenport as Preident,
and c. G. Hum as Secretary and Tres
urer, both of Perrysburg, Ohio, and the
company adjourned hoping to meet
again in about year.
So it is over and we know each other
better, and the Davenports departed,
some to various parts of Ohio, some to
Mich, some to Pennsylvania and some
to New York, but everybody happy
and fully determined to go again.
&. G. H.