William Devers
William Devers, the oldest man living in South Bend township, is one of the
few who still remain of a fast decreasing circle of pioneers.He is one of the men who witnessed and partook in the work of planting
civilization in the wilderness, and is more blessed than some of them in being
allowed to remain and enjoy an old age of ease, contemplate the country in its
condition of peace, prosperity and plenty, which he helped to bring about.His residence in this county antedates its judicial organization. Born in
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, September 26, 1798, he came with his parents
to South Bend township, and to the very farm on which he now lives, in the
year 1802. He grew up inured to hard labor, and by his own exertions cleared
and brought into cultivation a large part of the property which he now owns.
He was in the prime of his manhood, a man possessed of a rugged constitution
and great physical strength, and was better qualified than many to bear the
toil and hardship of a life in the woods during the early part of the century.
He married in early life (1825) Miss Nancy Henry, born in Indiana county in
1801, and, like himself, the child of pioneers. It was not destined, however,
that the wife of his young manhood should be his helpmeet in old age, for she
died in 1835. She was the mother of four children, Henry, James, Joseph, and
Martha Jane. Mr. Devers’ sons, Henry and Joseph, live on farms in the
township, and his son James upon the old homestead. Mr. Devers has followed
farming all his life, and is universally respected in the community in which
he lives, having always exhibited the qualities of a good man and useful
citizen. He is of Scotch-Irish descent, his grandparents having been natives
of Scotland, and those upon his mother’s side of Ireland.Source: Page(s) 388, History of Armstrong County,
Pennsylvania by Robert Walker Smith, Esq. Chicago: Waterman, Watkins &
Co., 1883.
Transcribed December 2000 by Jeffrey Bish for the Armstrong County Smith
Project.
Contributed by Jeffrey Bish for use by the Armstrong County Genealogy Project
(http://www.pa-roots.com/armstrong/)Armstrong County Genealogy Project Notice:
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