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Wilson Davenport was one of the few residents who had owned land in the Moundville area before the Civil War and who still owned it in 1870. In 1870, he was 43 years old and reported $2,000 worth of real estate. Wilson and Margaret had six children. The first three, Harriet, age 18; Mary, age 16; and Benjamin, age 14, had been born in New York like their parents. Three more children had been born since the family had moved to Missouri. These children were, Wilson, age 9; Jane, age 5; and Nora, age 2. Young Wilson was the first child born at Moundville. Wilson Davenport died at his Moundville home on Tuesday, March 9, 1909, at the age of 82. He had come to Vernon County in 1857 from New York. He had traveled part of the way by ox team because there were no railroads. During the war he had been in the Federal army. He was also a staunch member of the Methodist Church. His wife, Margret, and seven children survived. They included Mrs. Will Hains of Iowa, Mrs. Butler of Moundville, Ben Davenport of Webb City, Witt Davenport of Vernon County, Mrs. Jennie Caton of Enid, Oklahoma, Mrs. Arthur Sturgeon of Milo and Mrs. Ben Schmatterly of Nevada. |
Moundville Cemetery. |
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From: History of Vernon County, Missouri. 1887, p. 797. (Farmer, Post-office, Moundville). There are but few persons, if any, throughout this vicinity who do not know Mr. Davenport, and few indeed are those of the early settlers but have cause to remember him for the assistance which he has rendered them, either in pioneer or later days. In 1859 he first came to this county, and for many years afterwards freighted between Moundville and Pleasant Hill. He passed through many of the hardships and trials and incidents peculiar to the settlement of a new country and can remember distinctly the inconveniences to which people were placed in a pioneer day. It was about the time Moundville was laid out that he settled here, and his history has been similar to the history of the town. At this time he is engaged in farming upon his well improved homestead of 110 acres, and here he lives in the enjoyment of the friendship of many acquaintances. Mr. Davenport’s kind and obliging nature and honorable conduct towards all with whom he has had to do have rendered him high esteem, and such esteem as is well bestowed. He has held among other positions those of justice of the peace and township clerk. Born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., September 7, 1827, he was the son of Benjamin and Phebe Davenport, née Waters, both of New York nativity, and who were the parents of four children. Wilson was raised to an agricultural experience, and continued to make his home in New York until 30 years of age, then, as stated, locating in this county. October 26, 1848, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret H. Shaver, daughter of Jacob I. and Mary L. (Mitchell) Shaver, of New York, and to them seven children have been born: Harriet, wife of William H Haines; Mary E., wife of Lee Butler; Ben, Wilson J., Jennie, wife of John Caton, Nora and Josie. During the war Mr. Davenport served in Co. B, 14th Kansas cavalry, principally in Arkansas, performing escort duty, guarding trains, etc. His term of service extended over some three years. Mr. D. has an excellent memory and has rendered the publishers of the present volume valuable assistance in the preparation of historical information. |