The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-05-29
A RIVER PIONEER


Passes Away at steubeuville in the
person Of Captain John S. Devin-
MA sketch of His Career on the
River.
Capt. John S. Devihny. a pioneer nv
erman and one Of the most distinguish
cd and respected of steubenyille's ein-
GEMS. died at Mrs. campbelrs home on
South Third street, Sunday night at
11:15 O'Clock, says last evenings steu-
beuyille Gazette. He had been In poor
health and very feeble for several
years, due to the frailtIes of old age but
he never was belfast until three weeks
ago. and he gradually sank away until
his spirit was called hence. For sever
al days before his death he was uneon-
scious Of all around him. so feeble was
the spark of life. He was born IN
westmorelnnd county, Pa, April ~
1910 and was the son Of John and Mar
tina Mcclure Devinny. The father was
born in County Derry, Ireland, In 1884,
coming to America with an uncle IN
early manhood, and was married to
Miss Mcclure, who was born In West
moreland county in 1875. They had eight
children, OF whom the deceased was the
fifth born. and last to die. HIS tatheT
died in 1858, and his mother SEVERN
years previous. When he was hVe years
old in 1915 his parents came TO steu-
brnyllle, where they spent the remain
dsr of their DAYS, and where he had
resided ever since In his youth he pc
came a machinist. and shortly before
his eighteenth birthday he took up the
vocation Of steamboat engineer ana
continued IN that profession until lSS''
In that year he was promoted TO the
ceptaincy OF a steamboat, and he serV-
cd rs such until the fall Of 1854. From
June 1861, until the fall Of 1854 he was
a captain OF q government steamer. IN
March, 1866, he was appointed py
President Lincoln supervising tnspec-
tor Of steam vessels for the seNenth
United States district, which positlon
he held twelve years. since 1870 ne mas
lad n. 0ulet retired life, enjoying the So
cjetv Of his friends, OF whom there are
many in SteubenYIlle. Mr.. Devinny
was married in May. 1895. TO Jane Arm
strong, who died June p, ls4O, leaving
one son. w. A. Devinny, who died IN
May. 1889, being at the time resident
OF New Orleans. On December a. ISL
Captain Devinny was married 10 Jun"
NJ Wheelock, who was born at South
bridge. Mass, in 1918, coming to Steu-
benVille with an uncle in 1888. She diad
,JuIy 10, 1888, leaving no Children. cap
tain Devinny was member OF ths
Methodist Protestant church and OF the
Masonic order, being q Knight rem
plar. He was q man OF stately anu
courtIy address, and all Of our citizens
and eyerV one who knew him, retain
pIeasant memories of the deceased. he
was loved and respected by our people,
who recognized his honesty and honor
ed his Eentleness OF demeanor. Captain
Deyinny' held the Office Of township
treasurer for years, receiving the once
frequently without any opposition.
Tho Devinnys were early steamboat
builders here. Captain Devlnny had n
fund Of interesting "reminiscences about
the river, going back to very early Gays
and while his mind was IN It's prime ne
delighted to recount them. de captain
ed a number OF the finest OF tue carrier
steamboats, on the Ohio and MISSISSIPPI.
The following is taken from the history
~ Jefferson county: I'm 1895 the
post Boy was built for Matthew ROD.
erts with Captain Lucas in command
and John S. Devinny as engineer. In
the latter part of her term Of running
she WINS placed under the captaincy OF
I s. Devinny. In 1886 we next find that
CAPTAIN Devlnny and Messrs. Roberts.
orr and HenninG purchased or had
built a fine slde-wheel boat. the Utah,
commanded By Capt. ]. S. Devinny.
which was put on to trade between here
and Pittsburgh She made a capital
start. but had run only twelve months
ere she was subjected to an explosion
while lying at Steubenville, an aciden-
tai resulting In the death OF one and IN !
Turing several engaged upon her' She
was Rfterward repaired, and having
nIied between here and Pittsburgh for
three years. was sold TO run on the Wa
1 L..