Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-11-03
RESIDENT HERE !.
HALF A CENTURY
THOMAS J. pEvIN, A PIONEER,
DIES AT THE RIPE AGE OF
EIGHTY YEARS
Is III Few Weeks-MarHed a Half
Sister of Late President Benjamin
Harrison-one of Many Who Caught
the Gold Fever and Went West.

From Thursdays Daily =.
Thomas J. Devin, resident Of OF
tumwa for more than half century,
a brother-in-law Of former President
Benjamin Harrison, and one of the
forty-niners, died at his home, 1876
West Fourth street, yesterday after
noon, after an illness Of few weeks.
He was &c years Of age. The funeral
services will be held Friday afternoon
at the residence, and will be private.
Announcement is made by the family
that friends may view the remains Fri
day morning from 10 to II o'clock.
Major A. II. Hamilton, upon request,
being an old friend of the family, has
contributed the following with refer
ence to the life of this pioneer:
Thomas Jefferson DevIn.
Thomas Jefferson Devin was born
in McConnellsville. Ohio, May 20, 1926,
and died in this city October 81, 1906.
at p. m. He had been feeble for a
long time and death came to him
from the natural decay and weakness
OF his physical system. He passed out
peacefully in the full possession Of his
mental faculties to the last. The
writer of this notice has known him
intimately for flfty-two years. He was
never strong physically but active and
energetic and wonderfully optimistic
In his outlook unon life during all the
years we knew him. This feature
was so characteristic of him that he
seemed to, decline to criticise his fell
lows and In way trusting and think
ing we'll of all men. In business way
this feature of his nature together
with his. always looking upon the
bright side, seeing the rising sun in
all his plans, often did not lead to
financial success.
Here Half Century.
"Ottumwa has been his home for
over half a century and I think 1t Is
not too much to say Of him that with
all those who have known him for all
or a good part of that half century, he
leaves with them a kind, sweet mem
ory and so what more would we re-
quire to feel that in the immortal
state to which he has gone it is well
with him?
Father Lived Here.
"His father, Thomas Devin, was for
many years leading citizen of this
city. He was native of Maryland,
moving first to McConnelsville, o., and
from there to Oxford, O., going there
for the education ofEis children. For
time he resided near what is now
Decatur ILL., He came to Iowa in 1888
and settled at Pittsburg in Van Buren,
county. Here he lived until coming
to this city in the year 1854 or 1855. He
had previously established a store
here in which his son, the subject Of
this sketch, was engaged.
OF First Ohio Families.
"The wife of the senior Devin was
Miss Lucina Davis, daughter of VIM
Davis, one of the old Marietta colony
the first settlers of Ohio. Thos. J.
Devin has five brothers, three of whom
resided here. They have all preceded
him to the other side of life. Mr.
Devins family took prominent part
in laying the foundation of this goodly
city of ours.
Gets Gold Fever.
"The deceased in 1S49 caught the
California gold fever. That fever
nearly depopulated Ottumwa of its
able bodied men IN 49 and so. Mr.
Devin often told me of that trip
Quite company of men set out to
gether from the Missouri river, mostly
equipped with two yoke of oxen to 9
wagon and provided with provision
arms, and ammunition, for frequently
the Indians attacked the gold seekers
on their route. 1t was a wonderful
hazardous and laborous journey. JUS
suited, imagine, to the untirins
energy and lightheartedness of my
| friend. Mr.. Devin was married tc
Sally Harrison in 1859. To them were
born two children, Anna and Harry
who with the mother lives to mourn
his loss"
| All Are United