G. W. DEVAUL

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 726:

G. W. Devaul

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 28, Post-office, Schell City).

   Among the well-to-do, substantial and successful agriculturists of this portion of Missouri may properly be classed the subject of the present sketch, for the position which he now occupies pronounces him to be a man of practical experience and thorough acquaintance with the details of farm life.  August 13, 1837, he was born in Monroe county, O., the seventh of eight children in the family of his parents, Canrod and Phebe (Riffle) Devaul.  The former was a Virginian by birth, the latter being of Welch origin.  Canrod Devaul and wife belonged to that sturdy class of persons whose brave determination and perseverance led them to overcome all obstacles which met them in their every-day life.  Locating in Ohio in an early day, they suffered there all the privations and inconveniences of frontier settlers, but endured all without a murmur, emerging at last from the conflict stronger than ever in the consciousness of having shirked no duty in obtaining a new hoe.  G. W., the next to the youngest child in their family, was brought up in Ohio and made his home there until 1860, when he removed to Scotland county, Mo., there following his chosen occupation of farming until 1880.  In that year he removed to this county, purchased a fine tract of land containing 160 acres, and has since been occupied in its improvement, making it one of the desirable farms in this section of the county.  Quiet and unostentatious in his operations, he has exercised good judgment in the management of his farm and has met with success.  What he has he has gained by industry and economy, together with the able assistance and aid of his estimable wife, who was formerly Miss Sarah J. Rhodes, daughter of John and Mary Rhodes, née Shanks.  Their marriage was consummated March 17, 1861, and to them have been given three children: Mary E. and Rosa L. are living and one daughter is deceased, Rhoda Elizabeth, who died February 23, 1882, at the age of 17.  Mrs. Devaul’s father was born in Marion county, Mo., but became an early settler of Scotland county, where he made his home for fifty years.  While living there his career was marked by an upright, consistent course and strict adherence to the details of his daily vocation, which subsequently resulted in securing for him a comfortable competency.  His wife was originally from Greene county, Tenn.

[Transcribed by Becky Siple]

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