New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-27
J. |. DAVENPORT DEAD.
Former Republican Leader Dies at
His Home IN Stamford. Conn.
by TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuNs.l

Stamford. Conn, Aug. 26.-John L Davenport
once power in Republican politics in New
York City, died at his home on Davenport
Ridge here, yesterday. For some reason or
other efforts were made 10 keep the fact quiet
and it did not become known until tonight
Mr.. Davenport leaves Il son and two daugh-
tiers. residents of York. They had not ar
rived tonight but were expected for the
funeral. which will probably be held tomorrow.
1t will be very quiet.
A comparatively few years ago John l. Daven-
port was name to be reckoned with in Repub-
lcan politics in New-York He was Federal
Supervisor Of Elections for number of years.
year ago this month Mr.. Davenport's wife
died. Already broken in health by reverses in
his fortune, the loss of his wife seemed to have
FASTENED the end. Mr., Davenport came TO
Davenport Ridge last fall to pass the closing
days Of his life. He lived in retirement. and
few knew he was here
John l. Davenport for many years powerful
in national ami city politics. He was small pale
looking man. who smoked necessarily, and who
was proud Of the fact that he could so for rhree
days without eating and for week without sleep.
Mr.. Davenport born in Brooklyn in 1915 Of
old New-England stock. He was brought up in
BC&saer's church. and was a member of Theodore
TiIton's Sunday school He at first vent into his
fathers office. but nc struck out for himself
The Civil War found him shorthand reporter ard
general clerk and he sent down an all
around handy to General Benjamin p Butler,
who in command of the Army of the James.
He served on Buffers staff long as he remained
in the South and then came North with him. and
later was admitted to the bar. Hc for time
secretary to Governor Morgan. After that he spent
two or three years in work for The Detroit POST
and for The Tribune, and exploiting several
business schemes
In 1868 fragrant frauds IN the elections gave to
Mr. Davenport the opportunity for which ne had
been looking. He was clerk to both The Union
League Club committee and the Congressional Com
mittee which investigating frauLs and
largely responsible for the Federal Elections law
He also invented the plan Of having voters regis
tered by the number Of the house, instead of alpha
betically. thus making it easier 20 detect padding
of the rolls. He appointed ST. pervisor Of
Elections in New-York City by President Grant
and he held that Office for nearly twenty years,
ing mat position he Gid 4 great deal OF work N
purifying the election OF the city and was most
cordially hated By large number of politicians
particularly those of tnG Tammany organization.
Mr.. Davenport came to have much influence with
many Of the leaders of both great political parties
Then without the less his influence his methods
were attacked by newspapers, and il became the
fashion among politicians speak we'll OF him.
He still seemed to be the man who was called in
there was some bad political tange to be straight
ened out. He did not always appear at the top in
those performances, but his strength was felt and
recognized.
In 1883 he went of office for good and the last
of his political power began 10 drift away from
him with the going out of the old school of Polit
clans, whom he had known and with whom he had
worked ever since the war. He went into various
mercantile ventures, among them the sale OF chew
Cookery and for the last seven or eight years
he has been almost entirely out of politics.