Page:Pen Pictures of Representative Men of Oregon.djvu/46

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sistiuff of six children. Mr. Davenport is an active member of the Legis- lative body and a hard worker. Having bad considerable expeiience in that line, his advice and counsel is much sought after. He is a plain, every-day sort of a man, dresses with becoming taste, is of ordinary height and weight, with a well-shaped head, auburn hair and whiskers. He has been a deep reader and is well posted on all ordinary subjects. He is a ready speaker and indulges freely in the debates of the Senate. He is honest and con- scientious in all his public acts, and by his neighbors is considered honora- ble and fair in all his dealings. He is an active member of the Good Tem- plars' organization and has taken an active interest in the Grange.

HON. STEWART M. PENNINGTON,

Who is now serving his second term as State Senator from Umatilla county, is an uncompromising Democrat, and is considered one of the best men in that body. He is a quiet, unassuming gentleman, but keeps his weather eye open and is thoroughly posted on every question of importance that comes up for consideration. He was born in Monroe county, Kentucky, in 1824, and was the eighth of thirteen children. He received a common school education and with his parents moved to McDonough county, TUi- nois, in 1831, where he worked on his father's farm until April, 1847, when he startea for Oregon in company with a train of emigrants. He disposed of his team at Fort Hall, and in company with John Danford, Joel McKee, John Monroe and Robert Greenvill, started on horseback for Oregon City. AVhen near Fort Boise the Indians succeeded in stealing their animals, leav- ing them without means of transportation in a strange country. They suc- ceeded, however, in trading some old clothes for Indian ponies with some friendly Indians, two hickory shirts being considered equivalent to a pony. With these animals they continued their journey, reaching Oregon City in September, 1847. He commenced work in Governor Abernethy's saw-mill at three dollars a day, payable half in cash and half in scrip, or orders on the store. He also farmed awhile on the Tualatin plains. In the spring of 1849 he went to California, where he spent about two years in mining and run- ning a general provision store in Sacramento. He returned to Oregon in 1850 and took up his residence in Linn county, near the present town of Lebanon, where he was married to Miss Abigail E. Cooper. Here he spent about eleven years of his life between his donation claim of 640 acres, which he stiU owns, and his wagon shop in Albany, he being a practical wagon maker. While there, and while his party was largely in the ascendancy, he was repeatedly urged to accept some office, but persistently refused, pre- ferring rather to pursue his regular line of business to entering the political arena. With his family he moved into Umatilla county in 1871, settling on Butter creek and entering the stock business, in which enterprise he is still engaged, although more recently residing at Pendleton. He was nom- inated aud elected State Senator in 1878, and re-elected in 1880. He is a member of the standing Committees on Elections and Public Buildings and is an active worker. He has ever been an enthusiastic supporter of the free-school system and carefully guards the interests of his section of the