Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 533 - 534 

JOSHUA DEVORE resides in Payne Township, where he owns 280 acres of valuable land on sections 2 and 3. He is profitably engaged in farming and stock-raising. His farm is neatly fenced with hedge and wire fences, and the far-famed productiveness of the rich prairie soil of Kansas is here well exemplified. He pays much attention to the culture of the small fruits, and also has a fine apple and peach orchard, already yielding good returns for the care he has taken of it. He has an abundant supply of pure water from three wells. His farm buildings are neat and commodious, comparing favorably with those of other ranch men in the neighborhood.

            Mr. Devore was born in Ohio, June 18, 1848, and is the son of Daniel and Catherine (Herman) Devore, natives respectively of Maryland and Germany. His father was born July 8, 1808, and died in 1881. He was a potter by trade, and followed that calling for many years. He was a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, contributing largely of his means to its support. In politics he was a firm supporter of the Republican party. He was thrice married; there is no record of his first and second marriages. His last marriage, which was to the mother of our subject, took place in 1842. His wife was born in Germany, Feb. 14, 1823. She came to the United States when five years of age, and here grew to womanhood, receiving an education in the common schools of her adopted country, and has been for many years a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To her and her husband were born twelve children, three of whom were daughters —Mary Ellen, Maria C. and Margaret A. Three of the sons are dead.

            Our subject was the second son born of that marriage. He was reared on a farm, and assisted in the labors thereof. He received a substantial education in the public schools. On the 16th of February, 1864, then a lad of sixteen years, he entered the service of his country as a member of the 17th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and went to the front, taking part in the Atlantic campaign. He did faithful service as a soldier until the close of the Rebellion, when he was mustered out of the army in July, 1865. He then returned to Ohio, and thence went to Effingham, Ill. He was industrious, ambitious and energetic, and, after living awhile in Illinois, he decided that on the wonderfully fertile soil of Kansas he could do still better in his chosen calling than where the land had been tilled for many years, and in 1870 he came to this State and located on his present farm, becoming its owner by complying with the provisions of the homestead act. He was thus one of the early pioneers of this township, and has greatly assisted in its development. Immediately after settlement here he began the improvement of his land, and the results that he has brought about have amply justified his choice of location.

            Our subject is an intelligent, well-informed man, amply qualified for the leading part he has taken in public affairs. He holds the office of Township Trustee, discharging its duties with signal ability and to the satisfaction of his fellow-townsmen; he has also been Township Clerk. Politically, he is an ardent Republican. He is connected with the Post H. W. Beck, G. A. R., at Benton, Kan.

            Mr. Devore was married to Miss Alice E. Lane, March 13, 1877. She is the daughter of Isaac J. and Susan E. (Whittaker) Lane. Her father was born in Tennessee in January, 1832, and her mother was born in Kentucky, Oct. 27, 1831. They were united in marriage in 1851, and to them were born eight children, six sons and two daughters, the names of the latter being Alice E., and Mary Jane, who is dead. Her parents came to Kansas in 1872, and located in this township. Mr. Lane is a worthy member of the Christian Church.

            To our subject and his wife have been born five children, namely: George L., Mamie V. (deceased), Elizabeth C., Harry D. and an infant, Isaac.

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