BIOGRAPHIES

HISTORY OF CLERMONT & BROWN COUNTIES, OHIO
By Byron Williams
1913
 

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THE DEVORE FAMILY.  Three brothers of Huguenot heroic blood came early in America, one settling in New Jersey, one in Virginia, and one in Pennsylvania.  From the last ancestry David DeVore, son of Nicholas and Sarah DeVore, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, Feb. 10, 1774, and moved to Mason county, Kentucky.  He married Alice Mann, of the same family as Horace Mann, who was born in New Jersey, Apr. 15, 1777.  They removed to the farm near Red Oak, Ohio, where they died, Alice DeVore, June 25, 1860, and David DeVore, Jan. 26, 1861.  Their children were:      Anna, born Feb. 13, 1797, married to Joseph Horn, Jan. 17, 1816.      Sarah, born Dec. 5, 1798, married to John Carnahan, May 14, 1818.      Polly, born Feb. 17, 1801, married to John Wills, Sept. 12, 1829.      Peter Mann, born Apr. 3, 1802, married to Sally Day, Oct. 3, 1821.      Abner, born Nov. 25, 1803.      Nicholas F., born May 16, 1806, married to Hetty West, Oct. 18, 1832.      David G. DeVore, born Mar. 31, 1808, married Rebecca Murray, near McConnellsville, Ohio, May 24, 1837.      Elhanan, born Feb. 25, 1810, married Martha B. Stayton, Oct. 22, 1835.      Newton S., born May 24, 1812, married Lucinda Melvin, June 10, 1836.      Emily, born June 25, 1819, married John Beasley, Feb. 25, 1836.      Excepting Abner, who died young, all reared large families, and lived in Brown county.  Emily DeVore Beasley, moved with her family to Champaign, Ill., where her husband acquired wealth and occupied a position of importance in the community.  Newton DeVore, when in the prime of manhood, moved to Mt. Vernon, Ind., where he died.  The other members of this large family lived and died in the county of their birth.  David DeVore, the founder of the Ohio family, was a man of sturdy virtues, intelligence and of lovableness.  He became a man of wealth and was connected with the first bank of Ripley.  David G. DeVore, his son, resembled him in appearance, and in disposition.      David G. Devore, attended the University of Athens, Ohio, when the trip was made on horseback.  He ranked high in scholarship, being especially noted in mathematics.  After graduation, he studied law with Archibald Leggitt, of Ripley.  Thomas Corwin was one of the examiners when he was admitted to the bar.  He entered a law firm with Thomas L. Hamer, and steadily rose in his profession, until he was second to none in the courts in which he practiced.  He lacked the eloquence of Hamer, but he surpassed him in scholarship and knowledge of the law.  Early in his practice, he was made prosecuting attorney.  David G. DeVore was a great reader and a profound student of history, for which his remarkable memory aided him.  Shortly before his death, he quoted from memory fifty psalms and said, "I can give the rest."  He loved his home and his friends with him in it.  He amassed a large fortune, which in his old age was lost him, yet it never lost him his sweetness of temper.  He was public spirited, ever ready to advance the public good.  He was interested in young men, and aided many to a successful career.  He died Nov. 26, 1894.  Rebecca Murray DeVore, his wife, was on Scotch-Irish ancestry, and possessed the virtues of those people.  She died Apr. 12, 1866.      Of their children, Alice and Emily died in childhood.  Peter Mann, a remarkable youth, when eleven years old, Lucy Mary Taylor, who married William Snedeker in Los Angeles, June 29, 1909, James Mann, who was a long time county commissioner, died September, 1911.  Three are still living:  David DeVore, connected with H. S. Porgue & Company; Sarah Phillips, living in Cincinnati, and Rebecca Jane DeVore, who enjoys the distinction of being the only "Brown Countian" in the recent "Who's Who."  She has been a teacher and educator of distinction for many years, holding the presidency of Pennsylvania College for Women, Pittsburgh, for six years, from which she resigned for extensive foreign travel.  She has been president of Glendale College, Glendale, Ohio, since 1901.  She is widely known as a ready writer, an able speaker and a thorough teacher. * Source:  History of Clermont & Brown Counties, Ohio - Volume II - By Byron Williams - 1913 ~ Page  169

JOSEPH A. DYER.  Among the prominent and energetic farmers of Sterling township, Brown county, Ohio, none is more deserving of honorable mention than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch.  Mr. Dyer owns a well improved farm of one hundred acres, which he has put in a splendid state of cultivation.  He was born on this same farm, Dec. 3, 1862, a son of Benjamin and Jane (Addenbrook) Dyer.      Benjamin F. Dyer was born in Henry county, Virginia, in 1836 and died Dec. 1, 1894.  He was reared until the age of sixteen years in Virginia, and there acquired a good common school education.  He then ran away from home, joining the John Robinson circus, with whom he traveled for a period of four years.  He finally tired of this life and located on a farm adjoining the Addenbrook farm, and there met and married, in 1861, to Miss Jane Addenbrook.  He followed the occupation of general farmer and stock raiser, being also a turnpike, bridge and mail contractor.  From January, 1879, to May, 1880, he filled the office of warden of the Ohio penitentiary, and served again from 1890 to 1892, under Governor Campbell.  He served in the capacity of treasurer of Brown county from 1882 to 1886, and his residence during the terms of office was at Columbus and Georgetown, Ohio.  His declining years were spent at Georgetown, where he rested from active labors until his decease.  Benjamin F. Dyer was a Democrat in politics, and fraternally was a member of the Independent order of Odd Fellows.  He was in favor of the faith of the Baptist Church, and was in every way a most highly esteemed citizen of the county.      Jane (Addenbrook) Dyer was a native of Brown county, her birth occurring in 1839, and her death in 1900.  She was a daughter of Henry and Louise Addenbrook, both of whom were natives of Straffordshire, England, where they were married.  About 1830, they left the home of their nativity and coming to America located on what is now Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, where they secured one hundred acres of land.  He sold this property for two thousand dollars - now worth many hundred times as much.  He invested in this farm in Sterling township, Brown county, Ohio, and the land has since been in the family.  Mr. Addenbrook followed the occupation of general farming during his active life, and met with a good degree of success.  He was a consistent member of Christian church, and was active in all worthy enterprises.      The union of Benjamin F. and Jane (Addenbrook) Dyer was blessed with four children, of whom Joseph A., of this mention, is the oldest; Mary L., wife of William M. Thompson, a lawyer and ex-State Senator, residing at Columbus, Ohio; Thomas H., of Allegheny, Pa., is associated with the Nelson-Morris Packing Company, and married Miss Eva Hohe, and Hattie, who married first Dr. J. A. Parker, who died in 1900, and she married a second time, and is now residing in Columbus, Ohio.      Mr. Joseph A. Dyer received a good education in the high schools of Williamsburg and Columbus, Ohio.  He spent most of his active life in Brown county, thus far, and by his study of the political issues of the day ahs always taken an active interest in politics.  He served as deputy county treasurer from 1882 to 1886, under his father, Benjamin F. Dyer, and has also filled the various township offices, including the county blind commission.  He was associated with the Swift Company from 1892 to 1894, and for the past eighteen years he has given his entire attention to the management of his farm and the raising of a good grade of stock.      Mr. Joseph A. Dyer married in Clermont county, Ohio, Miss Emma Britton, who is a native of Brown county, and a daughter of  Burwell Britton, a prominent lawyer and farmer.  In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Dyer has been born one daughter, Clara A., wife of Homer A. Martin, residing on the home farm.  They have an infant son, Joseph Dyer Martin, born Apr. 7, 1913.      The improvements on the farm of Mr. Dyer were made by his maternal grandfather, and the barn, which was erected in 1837, is in fine condition.  He is interested in various enterprises, including a directorship in the First National Bank of Williamsburg.      Socially, Mr. Dyer has membership with the Clermont Social Lodge, No. 29, Free and Accepted Masons, of Williamsburg.  Mr. Dyer and the family attend the Methodist church.      Mr. Dyer is thoroughly practical in his methods and understands his business in every particular, hence meets with success.  He is a useful citizen and an honorable man and enjoys the high regard of all with whom he is associated. * Source:  History of Clermont & Brown Counties, Ohio - Volume II - By Byron Williams - 1913 ~ Page  515

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