Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-15

Rev. Willard Goss Davenport, who for
the past twenty-five years has been rec
tor OF Emmanuel Episcopal Church in
Anacostia. Will tonight be honored by the
eongre CATION of that church and the peo-
pc generally of Anacostia, as we'll as the
members of the Esther Memorial chapel
at Congress Heights, which he founded.
Public exercises are to be held in the
Parish hall of Emmanuel Church in V
street, and arrangements have been made
for the accommodation of large num-
ber The Bishop of Washington, Ri. Rev.
Alfred It. Harding. Will be the principal
speaker, and besides him Rev. Samuel W.
Grafffin, pastor of the Anacostia Metho-
dist Episcopal Church. will make few re-
marks in behalf of the community: Mil
ton j. Fillius in behalf of the Congress
Heights Church, and also present Mrs.
Davenport with a token of esteem; Ma
thaniel R. Harnish, senior warden or
Emmanuel Church, in behalf of that con-
gregation, and also present DR.. Daven-
port with the remembrance from his con-
gregation, and A. B. Frisbie, one of the
Oldest members of the parish, will
preside.
Al 8 o'clock those taking part in the
exercises will assemble in the parlor of
the hall. and each escorted by an usher
will go upon the stage, and Immediately
following addresses a reception Will De
held and refreshments served. During
the celebration music Will be furnished
by string orchestra To add to the
splendor of the scene the hall has been
beautifully decorated through the cour-.
tesy of GUIDE Brothers and A. B. Garden.
Life of DR.. Davenport.
Dr. Davenport has had an interesting
career since he has been connected with
n
born IN Brandon, VT, the son of Mr.. and
Mrs. Thomas Davenport, and in his youth
was a student at the Vermont Episcopal
Institute at Burlington. At the age Of
eighteen. and during the summer vacation
from school in 1861, he enlisted in Com
pany II, 5th Vermont Infantry. TO serve
during the civil war, and took an active
part in the campaigns and battles in Nir-
ginia excepting Petersburg, serving IN
der Gems. Mcclellan. Burnside. Hooker.
Meade and Grant During this time he
served as sergeant major of his regi-
T1ent and In November, 1853. was promoted
to first lieutenancy January 3. 1863. in
the battle of Fredericksburg he was first
wounded. and again in the battle of the
Wilderness of May 8, 1864. The wound
received in this latter battle disabled him
10 such an extent that he was unable to
continue further service in the army.
In 1855 he entered the class of 80 in ST
stephens College. Annandale- on the H ud-
son. and during his stay in college was
assisted by the Bishop of Vermont.
Shortly after completing his studies he
married Miss Mary c. Backus. daughter
of DR.. Charles Backus of Brandon, VT
and Trinity Sunday in the year 1872 was
ordained q deacon and received his first
charge. st. James Church. Hydeville Vt
The following Year he was ordained to
the priesthood and remained as rector of
the same church. In November. 1873, he
was called to ST. Luke's Church in the
diocese of Easton and remained there for
more than five years. or until he received
a call from Bolivar. Tenn. which he &C.
cepted and had the pleasant intercourse
with men who had been hfs former foes
during the civil war.
Called to Emmanuel in 1887.
There he stayed until 1886. when, owing
to the unhealthfuI condition OF his wife
he was compelled TO return farther north
and accepted call as rector of Holy
Trinity Church in Coliington. Md 1t was
from that church that the vestry of En-
manuel Church called him in 1887 and he
has continued to serve there for the past
rUerfy-1ya wears