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Below is a family biography included in The History of Jasper County, Missouri published by Mills & Company in 1883. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
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J. L. DAVENPORT, engineer fire pressure, Joplin Water-works, was born in McDonald county, Mo., Dec. 23, 1854. His parents James and Nancy (Johnson) Davenport, are natives of Kentucky and Virginia. His father was a merchant; born in 1817, died in Dec, 1862; his mother was born about the year 1819, and died Dec. 28, 1854. In 1861 our subject moved with his father to Newton county, this state, where he attended school. When fourteen years of age he commenced to learn the blacksmith’s trade at Newtonia, and in the fall of 1868 he went to Dallas, Texas, where he worked at his trade for a time. Came to Joplin in the fall of 1871 and engaged in mining, continued at this nearly five years. Then went into the employ of the Lone Elm Mining & Smelting Co., at first at trade, then took charge of an engine. Accepted his present position on Feb. 19, 1883, and took charge shortly after. Mr. Davenport was married in Joplin April 12, 1877, to Miss Minerva J., daughter of Dr. W. M. Gray, formerly of Ohio. Mrs. D., was born in the Buckeye State in Jan., 1856. Three children have blessed this union: Emma, born March 12, 1878; Franklin, born 1879; and William F., born Sept. 13, 1881; Franklin is now deceased.
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This family biography is one of more than 1,000 biographies included in The History of Jasper County, Missouri published in 1883. For the complete description, click here: Jasper County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps
View additional Jasper County, Missouri family biographies here: Jasper County, Missouri Biographies
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