Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-01-10

particular Qenglt, ne became OWner Vi
some of the finest Logans, Nc
Gregors, Wheelocks, etc. He has
laid out four additions to Rock Is
land and three to the city of Moline. A
large number of our manufacturing en-
terprises are located on his lands-such
as portion of the yards of the Rock Is
land Lumber company, while his posi-
sessions are scattered throughout the
cities. He was also owner of con-
siderable land in the northwestern part
OF Iowa and in Nebraska. He also had
some city property in Davenport. $685.
600 worth Of which he disposed of last
summer. He was one of the organizers
of the Merchants State bank, of Daven-
port in 1858. afterward merged into the
Davenport National bank, in which he
was still stockholder at the time of his
death. He was one Of the organizers eff
the Peoples National bank. of Rock ISL
and in 1875, was elected to its first board
Of directors and was chosen its first pres
ident. an Office he held until his death,
though he held but ffty.one shares of
stock in the institution.
| HIS cHARcTERIsTIos.
Mr.. Davenport was always stsunch
democrat, politically, and he served the
city as its chief executive during all the
trying times of the war, being mayor con-
tinuously from 1851 to '68 and again in
1S75>'76, and he discharged the duties Of
the Office in most excellent, able and
satisfactory manner. 1t was due very
largely to his instrumentality that the
United States arsenal was located on Rock
Island, and it was to his exertions in a
large measure that the great Rock Island
route was brought by way of this city in
its early construction and given the city g
name. And notwithstanding that great
fault has been found with him for the
persistent manner in which he retained
possession OF his real estate, refusin &
to permit it to go into market-many
obstructionist- be did great deal
for Rock Island that is not known to all.
aud those who were best acquainted with
his nature, say he was very often mis-,
judged; that when properly approached
he lent willing ear, and that all reason.
able requests met with ready response
on his part. Many of the poor Of the
city whom he had befriended unknown TO
anyone but themselves, will bless his
memory. Those employed about his
household state that deserving appeal
for relief was never turned empty handed
from his door.
While he lived sort of hermit
life in his castle on Seventh avenue,
he was accessible to all, free to
converse and he took pleasure in talking
over "reminiscences of Rock Islands his
tory, with which he was so familiar, and
In exhibiting relics which he had from
naturally of strong force of character, of
generous impulse, entirely unostentatious
10 his ways, but he had his own ideas OF
all things and adhered very strictly to
them.
THE ESTATE.
While Mr.. Davenport's fortune has
been generally considered as very large,
it has probably been very greatly over
estimated. In fact be was very much in :
cliDed to place the value of his real estate
at much higher figure than il was con-
sidered to be worth. He was heard once
in the past year to say that he believed
he was worth half million, and yet
those best acquainted with the nature OF
his possessions, state that they don't be-
lieve the value of all he owned will ex-
coed $500 to S3OO,OOO He was
what might be said land rich, but money
poor. He also left large amount OF
debts, and some of his property was
heavily mortgaged.
l. DID HE LEAVE WILLY
i 1t is q grave uncertainty as to whether
or not MIR. Davenport left q will. His
attorney, Judge Wilkinson. knows OF
none, nor does any other attorney in tie
city. If he executed a final testament be
did so privately, and his intimate friend.
are of the opinion that he made no pro,
vision for the disposal of his estate
There is good ground for the belief
though that he did make will within the
past year and that two of his employees
were witnesses to it. 1t b as been impos.
sible to get any confirmation Of this and
it is possible that it is not true. Thil
morning Mr.. Dsvepport's papers wer,
, packed in boxes, sealed and placed in tn,
vault of the Peoples bank until after tn,
flu neral
, Mr.. Davenport's mother died at Daven,
port nine years ago. and his brother Geo.
L. Davenport, four years ago at St. An
gustine, Fla. The only actual heirs,
therefore are the five children of the lat
, ter Joseph. of Cincinnati; Naoms l..
Katherine and Harry, of the city of Dav.
export, aud Ebeneezer, of Tama City
Iowa. Mr.. Geo. NJ. Copp, Miss Addi,
Bowling and Mrs. Swan, of this city, are
} cousins.
, THE FUNERAL.