Davenport, William

Born: 1797-07-07 Jessamine County, Kentucky

Died: 1869-06-24 Nebraska City, Nebraska

Alternate name: Devenport

In 1819, Davenport married Eliza Major in Kentucky, where he studied law and was admitted to the bar. After a short career in law, Davenport became a minister in the Church of Christ. By 1830, he had moved his family to Tazewell County, Illinois, and in 1835, they settled in Woodford County, Illinois. Davenport continued his ministry and was a founder of Eureka College, before relocating to Nebraska sometime after 1850.

History of Tazewell County Illinois (Chicago: Chas. C. Chapman, 1879), 556, 669; Churches of Christ: A Historical, Biographical, and Pictorial History of Churches of Christ (Louisville: John P. Morton, 1904), 435-36; U.S. Census Office, Fifth Census of the United States (1830), Tazewell County, IL, 173; U.S. Census Office, Seventh Census of the United States (1850), Woodford County, IL, 497.