HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
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JONATHAN S. DAUBERMAN, farmer and stock-raiser, Kaneville, Ill., born June 11, 1850, in Center County, Penn., and when quite young was brought by his parents to Kane County, Ill., where he was educated in the public schools. He began farming with his father, and in 1872 started for himself on a portion of the old homestead. He has been very successful, and now owns a farm of 550 acres. In March, 1872, he was married to Mary E. Merrill, by whom he has had three children, two boys and one girl.
JOSEPHUS DAVENPORT, farmer, Batavia Township, Kane County, was born in Downers Grove, March 30, 1845, the only son of Deborah Swarthout and Theron Davenport, who were born in Seneca County, N. Y., in 1823, and at this writing (1903) are living in South Dakota. In 1846, Theron Davenport and his family moved to Aurora, and shortly after to a farm in Sugar Grove Township, five miles from Aurora. Here Josephus grew to manhood. His memory goes back to the time when there were no fenced roads leading to Aurora, now a city of 30,000. As there were no school houses in the town, school was held in a gravel barn, horses occupying one end of the structure. He had fair school advantages, having attended the Aurora High School and Jennings Seminary of that place. He has never aspired to any political position, but has been a life-long Republican. He is a farmer pure and simple. Through industry and frugality he was, in 1878, enabled to purchase the old homestead, where he now resides. He has a choice farm consisting of 224 acres, and the best farm buildings in his neighborhood. He also owns a large tract of land in South Dakota. Mr. Davenport has been twice married; first, in January, 1868, to M. Louise Bodine, of Aurora, to whom was born Nina Louise, now the wife of Elmer E. Given, of Huron, S. D. The second marriage was celebrated June 22, 1876, with Miss Helen I. Niles, of Sugar Grove, who is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Davenport attend the Methodist church at Batavia, and are counted among the substantial people of the vicinity.
ALBERT W. DAVIS, farmer, Big Rock, Kane County, born Jan. 28, 1862, in DeKalb County. Ill., son of William and Ann (Whildin) Davis; was educated in the public schools and at the Normal in Sugar Grove. He became a successful teacher, and for eighteen terms was employed in the school room in his home district in Montgomery, and in Sugar Grove Normal. Prom 1891 to 1893 he taught school and carried on farming at the same time, but since that time has devoted his attention exclusively to his farm. He was Town Collector in 1895 and 1896, and since 1898 has been a member of the Republican Central Committee. Mr. Davis was married March 28, 1888, to Miss Elizabeth M, Darnell, a native of DeKalb County. He is a member of the Baptist church, and is active in Sunday school work.
JOHN DAVIS, merchant, Batavia, Ill., born in DuPage County, Ill., Jan. S, 1846; came to Batavia with his parents when eight years of age, and has since made his home in that city, having been connected with several different business enterprises during his residence here; has served as a member of the Batavia Board of Aldermen, Board of Education, and held other town offices. He was married in 1871 to Miss Mary Stantou, of Batavia.
L. J. DAVIS, dealer in hardware and agricultural implements, and postmaster, Big Rock, Kane County, born in Big Rock, Jan. 16, 1854, son of William and Ann (Whildin) Davis; received his education in the public schools and at Aurora Seminary, where he spent-one term. As a young man he began a general business, dealing in hardware and agricultural implements, which he has continued to the present time. Since Jan. 1, 1903, M. J. Whildin has been associated with him as a partner. They handle the Deering implements. Mr. Davis has been Town Clerk for several years, Township Treasurer of the School Board, Town Collector, and is now serving his third term as postmaster. He is a Mason, also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of the Globe. He was married March 24, 1884, to Miss Ida Denny, and of this union have been born three children; two sons (both deceased) and one daughter, now living.
T. H. DAY, banker and manufacturer, Aurora, Ill., born in Otsego County, N. Y., Dec. 21, 1838; came west in 1861, locating in Aurora; has been identified with various manufacturing enterprises in Aurora since 1880; served as Alder-