Emmet County MI Archives Photo Tombstone.....Davenport, James 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Diana Catlin catlindiana@yahoo.com October 5, 2013, 4:27 am

Cemetery:           Lakeview (Wawatam)
Name:               James Davenport

Date Of Photograph: July 25, 2013
Photo can be seen at:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/emmet/photos/tombstones/lakeviewwawatam/davenpor268512nph.jpg
Image file size: 184.5 Kb

Marker reads:

    FATHER

JAMES DAVENPORT

1847 AT REST 1932

Additional Comments:
James Davenport was one of the most notable light keepers at the McGulpin Pointe

Lighthouse in the Straits of Mackinac. A light keeper at Waugonshance Point and 
Little Point Sable he served at McGulpin Point from 1879 to December 15, 1906 
when the light station was discontinued.



Davenport was noted for being the only keeper to submit such thorough weekly 
reports on the condition of the lakes which was invaluable to the Inspector he 
reported to. Archives show he made weekly trips through the snow from Mackinaw 
to the lighthouse to report on ice conditions.  From these weekly reports 
knowledge and an understanding of when the opening of the navigation season 
would occur each spring throughout the Great Lakes was gained. 



The Davenport's and their 10 children lived the entire navigation season in the 
lighthouse.  When the navigation season ended, harsh winters made it nearly 
impossible to get from the lighthouse to the city so the family would move back 
to their home in Mackinaw where the children could attend school. In March 1891 
James Davenport was left with 9 children when his wife Madaline Lasley 
Davenport gave birth to a daughter Gracie, and died 7 days later. Infant Gracie 
died 3 days after her mother. 



After the close of the light station at McGulpin Point in 1906, Davenport was 
transferred to Mission Point Lighthouse in Traverse City Michigan and served 
there until his retirement in 1917.  He returned to Mackinaw City and lived 
there until his death in 1932. Although his tombstone is flat, it is easily 
found beside that of his wife and two of their children, Gracie and Frankie. 
Their monument is diamond shaped and sits on a base inscribed Davenport, 
visible from Central Avenue. Several articles can be found on his life and the 
historic lighthouse he served.  The McGulpin Point Lighthouse is open to the 
public for touring.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/emmet/photos/tombstones/lakeviewwawatam/davenpor268512nph.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/

File size: 2.8 Kb