Devine, John 1819-1911

DEVINE

Posted By: Rachel (Scherf) Levine (email)
Date: 12/4/2011 at 13:10:34

DEATH OF JOHN DEVINE
Old Pioneer Passes Peacefully Away
In His Ninety-Third Year at the
Home of his son Barnett in Livermore.
Leaves Thirty-Eight Grand-
Children and Eight Great Grand-
Children.

Old uncle John Devine dropped peacefully to rest last Friday afternoon at the home of his son Barnett in this city, surrounded by his relatives and in the presence of his faithful old brother and lifelong companion Barnett.

Mr. Devine's frequent prayer in his latter years was that he might live his full measure of life without being an invalid or a burden to anybody, and also that he might not be called too suddenly; and the efficacy of prayer was never more convincingly answered than in his case, and his declining days and even his last hours were utterly without pain, and fully according to his wish

John Devine was born on January 26, 1819, in County Armagh, Ireland, and would have been 93 years of age on his next birthday.

He came across the water at the age of 14, to Three Rivers, Canada. His parents had already located there, and had been able to bring all the family at the time with the exception of John and his brother Barnett. Therefore they made the journey alone.

He continued to live at Three Rivers and was there married to Ann Meagher about 1844. His brother Barnett, who was over two years younger but who was always the leader in every move that united the interests of the two brothers through life, had gone to Blue Island, Ill., and about two years after John's marriage he sent for John and his wife to join him at that place which they did with their son John, who was born in the meantime

A few years later Barnett was again on the move and discovered that what is now Riverdale township, in Kossuth county, was an ideal place to locate and farm. He consequently returned to Blue Island for John, who had resided there six or seven years, and accompanied him across the country to Kossuth county, arriving in 1856.

The journey was made in covered wagons, the party consisting of Barnett, John and wife, and their three
children, John, Margaret and James. Perhaps the most eventful happening on the road was a stop they made in Washington county [Iowa], where Barnett had made the acquaintance of a lady on his previous journey; the balance of the trip constituted his honeymoon.

John's son, Barnett, was the first white child born in Kossuth county with one exception—that of a child in the Ambrose Call family at Algona.

The first mass that ever was celebrated in Kossuth county was in the log house of John Devine by Father Marsh of Fort Dodge; and this house was used thereafter for some time for that purpose, the neighbors gathering for miles around to attend the services. In after years the deceased was very active in the building of the old St. Joseph Catholic church, which has now been replaced by a more modern structure, the old one being at present used as a creamery.

The Devines experienced exciting times in their pioneer homes at the time of the Spirit Lake massacre and their wives were sent to Hardin county for safety until the danger was over.

John Devine remained on his farm till about 24 Years ago, since when he has lived in Livermore or vicinity in the midst of his relatives and friends. His faithful wife passed away Aug. 7, 1899. He discontinued active labor when he left the farm and has been in fair health until last March, since when there has been a gradual failing.

Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Devine, as follows: John H. in Colorado: Mrs. Margaret Dunphy, deceased; Mrs. Mary Noonan. deceased; James M., in Livermore; Ann, died in infancy; Barnett W., in Livermore; Frank, in Livermore; Mrs Rose Kajewski, in Cylinder.

All the surviving children were present at the funeral except John H. , who is sick.

Deceased is survived by 38 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Among those outside of Livermore who attended the funeral were his brother Barnett, Michael Noonan of Blue Earth, Peter Reilly of Fort Dodge, John Dunphy of St. Paul, Mr. and Mrs J. G. Devine of Humboldt, Stephen Dunn of Mooreland, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Skilling and Mr. and Mrs Hal Skilling of Algona,
Lewis Johnson of Irvington and George Hohenberger of Algona.

The funeral services were held at Sacred Heart Catholic church in Livermore last Monday morning, Father Maynard of Fort Dodge celebrating solemn requiem mass, and was very largely attended, and the remains of the aged pioneer who had been beloved and respected by all for his kindliness, his upright life and his fair dealing with his fellow men, were laid by the side of his wife in the Catholic cemetery south of town.—
Livermore Gazette, Nov. 2
--Humboldt Independent, 9 November 1911, page 1