Biographical Sketch of

B. T. Davenport

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 752 - 753 


B. T. Davenport, who is engaged in general farming on section 17, in the town of Aurora, Washara County, is a 
native of the Empire State, having been born in Jefferson County, on the 1st of January, 1853.  He was the fifth 
in a family of six children born to Alfred W. and Emily H. (Briggs) Davenport.  His father was born in Massachusetts 
in 1819, and his mother in the Green Mountain State in 1821.  Their marriage was celebrated in 1839, and until 1855, 
they remained residents of the East.  In his early years, Mr. Davenport worked at the cooper's trade which he had 
learned in his youth but in later years he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits.  Accompanied by his family 
he emigrated to Wisconsin in 1855, and took up his residence in Nepeuskun, Winnebago County; where he remained two 
years.  The same length of time they spent in Waupun but at length settled upon section 17, in the town of Aurora, 
Waushara County, where the subject of this sketch still lives.  It became the family homestead and the children 
were there reared but three are now deceased--Mary J., who died at the age of fourteen years; Clara J., who died 
at the age of seven years; Duane, who died in infancy.  Those still living are:  C. A., forty-five years of age, 
who is now engaged in farming in the town of Aurora; D. L., aged forty-two, a farmer and fruit grower of California; 
and B. T. of this sketch.
 
Our subject since two years of age has made his home in this State and is one of its worthy and esteemed citizens.  
His early life was passed in much the usual manner of farmer lads and the greater part of his education was received 
in the district schools, supplemented by one term in the State Normal at Oshkosh, Wis.  While still under the parental 
roof, in 1876, he embarked on a business career and has since made his own way in the world.  He engaged in the culture 
of bees and until 1883 devoted his attention exclusively to that occupation, but in the year above mentioned, his father 
having died two years previous, he purchased the old homestead and to its cultivation and improvement, in connection 
with the other branch of the business devotes his time.  He has been quite successful in both enterprises.  He now owns 
a fine farm of 280 acres, the greater part of which is under cultivation.  His home is a beautiful residence tastefully 
furnished and the surrounding buildings are in harmony with the dwelling.  Everything about the place indicates the 
thrift and enterprise of the owner, who by his own efforts has acquired his possessions and deserves the prosperity 
which attends him.
 
In the spring of 1887, Mr. Davenport led to the marriage altar Miss Emma Rundell, an adopted daughter of N. D. Rundell, 
now deceased, who was one of the first settlers of the town of Aurora.  The lady was born in Rush Lake, Winnebago Co., 
Wis., in 1867, and by their union has been born one child, a little daughter, Emily Lucile, who is now one year old.  
In political sentiment, Mr. Davenport is a stanch Prohibitionist and takes an active interest in the third party 
movement.  The cause of temperance enlists his warmest sympathy and believing it to be the most important issue before 
the people he gives his ballot to the party which declares itself in opposition to the liquor traffic.  He and his wife 
are members and liberal supporters of the Congregational Church and by their many acts of kindness and deeds of charity 
have won the lasting gratitude of those whom they benefited and the regard of all others.  They justly rank among the 
leading citizens of the community and it is with great pleasure that we are enabled to present this sketch to the readers 
of the ALBUM.
 
 
Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages






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