An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., 
The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 435-436

	SAMUEL DAVENPORT, an honored pioneer of Washington, who now lives in
retirement in Bucoda, enjoying that peace and prosperity which is the result of
early and well directed efforts, is a native of Now York State, born in Delaware
county, June 2, 1825. He is of good old New England stock, his parents, Erastus
and Parmelia (Dayton) Davenport, having been born in Connecticut and descended
from early and prominent settlers of America. His parents were married in New
York State, where they passed their lives on a farm, esteemed and respected by
all who knew them.
	The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm until he reached the
age of seventeen, when he was apprenticed to learn carpentry, at which he served
his time, and which trade he continued to follow continuously while in New York
State. April 27, 1850, induced by the glowing accounts from the El Dorado of the
West, Mr. Davenport sailed from New York city, landing at the Isthmus of Panama
in due course of time, he went up the Chagres river to the head of navigation,
and thence to the Pacific Ocean on foot, where he remained three weeks, waiting
for a steamer in which to pursue his way to San Francisco. At last he set sail
and arrived at his destination July 12, 1850. He here soon secured carpenter
work, but tiring of that place he started, August 1, 1850, in the sailing
vessel, the bark Success, for Portland, Oregon, at which place he arrived August
12, the same year. He here followed his trade until 1851, when he went to the
Rogue river mines and thence to the Shasta mines in California, in which latter
camp he remained until December, of that year. He went then to Trinidad,
California, and there took passage on a steamer bound for Portland, whence he
proceeded to Puget Sound, arriving at Olympia in January, 1852.
	He soon afterward settled on a donation claim of 320 acres on the present
site of Tenino, where he spent part of his time, also residing occasionally in
Olympia. At the outbreak of the Indian war, in 1855, he enlisted in a company of
Puget Sound rangers, under command of Captain C. Eaton, in which he served
efficiently until the close of hostilities. He then returned to his farm, on
which he remained until 1861, at which time he started on a mining expedition to
Cariboo, British Columbia, and visited all the Fraser river mines. In 1864 he
once more returned to Thurston county and his farm, continuing to reside on his
homestead until 1866, when he again started for the mines. This time he went to
Helena and Deer Lodge, Montana, and prospected in all the mining centers at
various times until 1873, when he once more retraced his steps to Tenino, and
resumed his work on his farm. He continued to be thus engaged, when he sold out
and took up his abode in Bucoda as a retired citizen, and here he has ever since
resided in the enjoyment of freedom from care and tine universal esteem of his
fellow men.
	Mr. Davenport has served his constituents faithfully and well in several
official positions of honor and responsibility. He was for some time County
Commissioner of Thurston county and he also made an efficient Deputy Sheriff
under Sheriff Billings. Fraternally, Mr. Davenport is a member of the Masonic
order and the I.O.O.F. He assisted in organizing the first Odd Fellows' meeting
ever held in Olympia or the State, and at present belongs to Olympia Lodge, No.
1, F. & A. M., also Olympia Lodge, No. 1, I.O.O.F. Mr. Davenport has never
married. With the knowledge of a life well spent and many years of usefulness
before him, he has the best wishes of all for his future prosperity and
happiness.

Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in October 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer

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Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.