History of Wexford County, MI. Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 187

HENRY I. DEVOE

More than a century ago George Washington said "Agriculture is the most useful as well as the most honorable pursuit of man," and this truth stands today as it did then. Farming forms the basis of all prosperity and no land has had continuous or substantial development that could not base its growth upon agricultural pursuits. Mr. DeVoe is a representative of the farming interests of Wexford county and his home is now on section 34, Wexford township. He was born in Albany county, New York, on the 11th of May, 1837, and when a youth he was taken by his parents to Pennsylvania, the family settling upon a farm in Crawford county, that state. There the subject remained until he was eleven years of age, when he came with his parents to Michigan, the family home being established upon a farm in Wright township, Hillsdale county, where the subject remained until 1867. In his youth he worked in the fields and meadows, early becoming familiar with the best methods of producing good crops and carrying on the other work of the farm. His work in the fields, however, was interrupted by his service in the Union army, for his patriotic spirit was aroused by the continued attempt of the South to overthrow the Union and in October, 1862, he offered his services to the government, becoming a member of Company G, First Michigan Regiment Engineers and Mechanics, with which he served for three years, or until October, 1865. He rendered his nation valuable aid and was always loyal to the old flag and the cause it represented. When the war was over and he received an honorable discharge Mr. DeVoe returned to Hillsdale county, where he engaged in farming until 1867. The month of May of that year witnessed the subject's arrival in Wexford county. Here he settled upon a farm which is yet his home. Securing a claim of one hundred and sixty acres of land, with characteristic energy he began its cultivation and lie is now the owner of two hundred acres, of which fifty acres is improved. His is an industrious life and his well-directed energy is bringing to him creditable and gratifying success. When he came to Wexford county he was accompanied by his young wife, having been married in Hillsdale county, Michigan. On Christmas day of 1866 he married Miss Helen M. Miner, a native of Branch county, Michigan, and their union has been blessed with two children, but Edgar died when only a year and a half old. The other son is Isaac M. He received a common-school education and was the first graduate of the Sherman public school in 1898, afterward taking a course in the normal college at Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. He wedded Miss Mae Snyder, who was born near Mt. Pleasant, and he now occupies the chair of science in the Charlevoix schools. They also had an adopted daughter, Carrie DeVoe, who was reared by them from infancy and who is now the wife of W. M. Tracy. In 1882 Mr. DeVoe was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in Wexford township on the 2d of April of that year. Called to public office by his fellow townsmen, Mr. DeVoe has served as supervisor, as township clerk, and as justice of the peace and for twelve years he was county superintendent of the poor. He was also elected county surveyor and held that position for one term and he has been deputy county surveyor during the greater part of his residence here. No trust of a public nature that has been reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree and at all times he is reliable, fully meeting his obligations. He has taken an active part in church work, has held membership with the Congregational denomination since 1871 and his wife was also a member of the Congregational church of Sherman and they contributed liberally to its support and did everything in their power for its growth and upbuilding. Thus it will be seen that the subject has been an active factor in the material and moral development of his community and his labors have been so directed by sound judgment that they have proven of much benefit to his adopted county. He is a man whom to know is to respect and honor and during his residence in this section of the state he has gained many warm friends.