Chaffee County CO Archives Biographies.....Davenport, Vorhis C.  May 26, 1856 - ?
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net December 23, 2005, 3:36 pm

Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado

     For the ordinary conditions of human life in this country, and for many of
the extraordinary conditions prevalent in portions of the country not yet
reduced to full subjection and systematic culture and development, there is, in
the main, no better preparation than a boyhood and youth passed in the
invigorating and health-giving pursuits of rural life, in close communion with
nature, with her ministrations of strength for the body and breadth and
self-reliance for the spirit.  It was in such an experience that Vorhis C.
Davenport, of Salida, was reared and prepared for life’s duties.  He was born at
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on May 26, 1856, and near that city and Stevens Point,
in a near-by county, to which his parents moved when he was twelve years old. 
After leaving school he served a few years as clerk in a grocery store at
Stevens Point, then in 1876, when he was twenty years of age, he left his native
state for the Black Hills of South Dakota, a region then attracting the
attention of the world because of the discovery of gold in its midst in what
seemed almost fabulous deposits.  He made the trip to the Hills by way of
Cheyenne and arrived at Custer City in August.  Soon afterward he went on to
Deadwood, which at the time contained only a few log houses and tents, and at
Lead there were but two or three houses, or rude shacks.  One day when he had
not been long in the place he started to stake out a claim where the now famous
Homestake mine is, but a Californian who appeared to know much about mining yet
was unfamiliar with the formation at this point, persuaded him to abandon the
project as the ground was of no value for mining purposes.  Thus once at least
Fortune knocked at his door, but as she did not receive a cordial encouragement
to abide with him she passed on to others for that time.  Instead of becoming
owner of a great mine he became assistant agent for Clark’s Pony Express, at
Deadwood, and while the returns were by no means so extensive, they were more
immediate and readily available.  In the spring of 1877 he helped to found the
town of Spearfish and in its vicinity he engaged in raising cattle and hay and
also operated a saw-mill until 1879.  In July of that year he moved to Canon
City, Colorado, and found employment in the lumber yard of Esley & Thomas. 
Three months later he took charge of a lumber yard for this firm at Cleora, a
then promising place just below Salida which had not yet been started. 
Following this enterprise, he managed a yard for the firm at Poncho Springs and
later one at Maysville.  In 1880 he bought the yard at Maysville and during the
next two years carried on its business.  The town showing signs of decadence
then, he moved his stock to Salida and purchased the lumber yard he now owns and
manages, and which does an extensive business, the largest in this part of the
state.  During the whole of his residence in Colorado he has been interested in
mines and mining, and still owns many claims of promise.  In 1900 he bought the
Wellsville Hot Springs, six miles east of Salida on the Denver & Rio Grande
Railroad, and by continuous effort he has made extensive improvements and
erected the place into a popular summer resort which grows in favor every year.
 The waters are highly curative and beneficial, the place has many natural
attractions and is well conducted, and being on the highway of a great traffic
it is easily accessible.  Mr. Davenport is an earnest Republican in political
faith, warmly interested in the success of his party, but without desire for any
of its honors or emoluments.  He still takes a most active interest in the
lumber industry in every way, and is now president of the State Association of
Lumber Dealers.  Fraternally he is a Woodman of the World with membership in the
camp of the order at Salida, and in business outside of his own immediate
commercial channel he is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Salida, a
stockholder and vice-president of the Building & Loan Association, and a
stockholder and the treasurer of the Fairview Cemetery Association.

Additional Comments:
From Progressive Men of Western Colorado.  Chicago:  A.W. Bowen & Co., 1905

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