William Augustus Devendorf (1857-1911)

DEVENDORF

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/14/2024 at 16:32:17

From Story City Herald December 14, 1911 (page 1)

W. A. DEVENDORF HEEDS SUMMONS

DIED AFTER LONG ILLNESS IN DES MOINES LAST SUNDAY MORNING

W. A. Devendorf, who for a number of years was identified with the business interests of Story City, died at his home in Des Moines at an early hour Sunday morning. He had been in failing health for more than a year and several times during the past summer his life was despaired of, heart failure being the cause of his sickness and death.

Funeral services were held in Eldora, where his early life had been spent, and he was laid to rest in the cemetery at that place.

William Augustus Devendorf was born in Wisconsin Nov. 19, 1857, his parents being Oliver and Laura Devendorf. He was the youngest son of nine children, his parents having five sons and four daughters.

His early life was spent near Eldora, his first schooling being received at that place. He first looked to teaching as a profession, working on a farm in the summer and teaching in the winter. Deciding finally to take up pharmacy, he studied under Daniel Giles at Union, where he stayed 2 1/2 years. From there he went to Ft. Madison, where he was married, Sept. 3, 1890.

He lived two and a half years at Lehigh, coming from there to Story City. Here he opened a drug business of his own, purchasing a small stock and starting in the building now occupied by Jensen's restaurant. His latter history is well known to our readers. He prospered in his ventures and at his death owned a fine home in Des Moines and considerable land.

The Devendorf family moved to Des Moines almost two years ago, where they have since made their home. The deceased is survived by a wife and two sons, Leo and Edwin. During his stay in Story City he made many friends, who were much concerned at his illness and greatly grieved at his death. The surviving family have the sympathy of all in the loss which they have sustained, a loss which the Great Comforter alone can help them bear.