Charles Henry Devault

DEVAULT, FELKNER, FUHRMEISTER, PATTERSON, STREAM

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/11/2005 at 13:39:12

There are many highly successful and progressive agriculturists in Madison county and among them is Charles H. Devault, who has owned and operated four hundred and forty acres in Penn township for twenty-three years. He was born in Johnson county, this state, on the l0th of September, 1850, a son of Charles and Rachel (Felkner) Devault, natives of Ohio. In 1841 the father removed to Johnson county and entered land at a dollar and a quarter per acre, upon which the family home was established. He operated his farm during the remainder of his life, dying on the 25th of May, 1883. He was survived for almost two decades by his wife, whose death occurred on the 28th of February, 1902.

Charles H. Devault was reared in Johnson county and after attending the public schools of that county and of Iowa City he became a student at Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa. He remained with his parents until he was of age and was then given one hundred acres of his father's land, which he operated for about five years. He then sold the place and bought land in Linn county, which he farmed for eleven years. On selling that place he came to Madison county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 33, Penn township, which he began improving immediately. Subsequently he added more land, making his aggregate holdings four hundred and forty acres, which he has developed and cultivated for twenty-three years. The land is in a high state of cultivation, the fences are durable and the buildings are all well designed and commodious. In the cultivation of the land and the care of his crops he uses practical methods of agriculture and the latest improved machinery. He raises partly thoroughbred stock, specializing in Chester White hogs, and is a prominent stockman of his township.

On the 5th of April, 1881 occurred the marriage of Mr. Devault and Miss Minerva Jane Fuhrmeister, a daughter of Charles and Emeline (Stream) Fuhrmeister, the former born in Germany and the latter in Licking county, Ohio. When but nine years of age the father was brought by his parents to America and in 1843 they located in Johnson county, Iowa, where he grew to manhood and devoted his entire life to the operation of a farm. He passed away on the 24th of March, 1885, and his widow was called to her last rest on the l0th of January, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Devault have become the parents of five children: Orange J., who is farming land belonging to his father in Penn township and is serving as assessor of that township; Albert, who was married Easter Sunday, April 4, 1915, to Miss Hazel Patterson, a daughter of Charles and Martha Patterson, of Prairie City, Jasper county, Iowa, and is now living on one of his father's farms; Martha M., who died on the 28th of February, 1913; Charles Clarence, a farmer of Penn township; and Olive Ruth, at home.

Mr. Devault is a democrat and for several years was trustee and assessor of his township. He belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge and to the Methodist church, associations which indicate the moral principles which govern his life. In addition to his valuable farm he has other interests, as he is a stockholder in the Citizens State Bank of Earlham. He is one of the well-to-do and representative citizens of his township and his influence has been felt not only in agricultural circles but in political, social and civic affairs.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915,” by Herman Mueller.