COMING OF COLONEL DAVENPORT

While the fort was a necessary preliminary for the development of the country, one of the most important features incident to Its construction was the bringing into this region of Colonel George Davenport with the command in 1816. as contractor for the supplies for the troops, the army not then having, as now, an organized commissary department

A man of immense energy, foresight and determination. Colonel Dav enport brought to bear upon the disturbed affairs of his time and locality, a ripened experience and intimate knowledge of men and their requirements. Perhaps no other one man did so much to develop and. advance the affairs of this section as he.

On August 10 of that same year, Mrs. Davenport, accompanied by Mrs. Lewis, afterwards Mrs. Goldsmith, joined Colonel Davenport and it is admitted that they were the first American ladies to ascend the Mississippi river to Rock Island. Mrs. Davenport lived until 1847 when she passed away, aged seventy two years, having seen many changes take place. Her companion and friend survived her many years, passing away when seventy six years old. After the building of the fort, affairs continued to be very quiet. By some its erection was regarded as an unnecessary expense, for the Indians appeared friendly, and no serious trouble with them was anticipated.

In 1823 the ordinary routine of the fort was pleasantly interrupted by the arrival of the steamer Virginia, which was laden with provisions for the garrison at Prairie du Chien. This is regarded as the first instance of the landing of a steamboat on the island.

 

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Illinois Ancestors

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