Person Page - 711

     Pearl Hazel DeVault was born on 22 April 1875 at Bristol Independent City, VA. She was the daughter of Milton Tucker DeVault and Timmie Eugenia Cardwell. Pearl Hazel DeVault died on 23 June 1876 at Bristol Independent City, VA, at age 1. She was buried in June 1876 at East Hill Cemetery, Bristol, Sullivan Co., TN.

     Note: Remarks by William Bruce Gillmore.

Grandmother, Rachael DeVault Hunt, was about eight years old when her mother died and her sister, Susan was a year younger. Their father did not marry Elizabeth Scott until about 1835. During the years that he was a widower, the little girls spent much time at the home of Warrington and their sister, Maria Catharina (DeVault) Hunt. Their father complained that at home there were only the slave children with whom they could play. At sister Maria Catharina's there was their cousin, Louisa Ann Eliza (Lou) to play with, and no doubt the little girls fared better there than they would at home where they would be cared for by the slaves.

It was here with Warrington and sister Kate that Grandmother learned to spin, weave and sew, also to tailor men's clothing, an art that her sister had learned from her DeVault ancestors. Also it was here that Rachal met and married Warrington's brother, Thomas Hyder Hunt, when she was sixteen years old.

Rachal and Susan were always very close, and I was grown before I knew that Grandmother had other sisters and brothers. Apparently, she did not get to know her step-mother very well. I can recall no stories concerning her, but I never heard an unkind word about Elizabeth. She seems to have been a quiet, retiring woman who busied herself with her household, and had little time for visiting.

In 1850, Thomas Hyder Hunt took his family and with a number of relatives and friends, went by covered wagon to Illinois. It was quite a caravan, a dozen or more wagons. Mother was six years old and remembered many incidents of the long journey.

At that time the economy of Tennessee was based upon slave labor, and slaves were expensive, costing from $500.00 to $1500.00. My mother remembered a wedding at which the father presented the bride with a slave girl, and the tale was that it was a $500.00 present. Under such conditions, a poor man who had to buy land and slaves had a hard time getting ahead. Illinois offered better opportunities. Land was cheap and a man and his family did the work and every one was on the same footing.

In the party making the trip were Grandmother's brother, Michael DeVault, and her sister Susan (DeVault) Duncan and their families. Thomas Hyder Hunt's sister, Elizabeth (Hunt) Peugh and family were also in the caravan, and there may have been other relatives. There were also many friends who went along.

They settled in Macoupin County, Western Mound Township, where the family of Thomas Hyder Hunt lived until 1869, when they migrated to Barton County, Missouri. Near here, in the Reader Cemetery four miles north and a little east of Chesterfield, Thomas Hyder Hunt and his son James were buried and in 1900 Rachel Hunt was taken to lie beside them.

Some time after 1860, Michael DeVault and family moved to Pike County and Joseph and Susan (DeVault) Duncan with their family moved to Macon County.

When Jacob Hunt came home from the war in 1865, at the age of 22, he found himself the head of the family, his father and older brothers having died. Mary Emily and Louise were young ladies, but Belvia, Eliza, Bruce and Julia were children.

The family had suffered reverses. The oldest son, James, and the father had died. The boys who were old enough to farm had been drafted, probably because they were southerners, and the widow and the children left to do the best they could. Taxes and interest went unpaid while Henson and Jacob were in the army. So Jacob gave up the farm and went to Pike County and settled near Pittsfield near his Uncle Michael DeVault. They lived there until 1869. It was there that Mary Emily Hunt married Ephraim B. Gillmore.

In 1871, Jacob rented the Stephens farm. It was one mile square, 640 acres, with plenty of running water, some woods, and pasture land and fertile fields. By now Bruce was old enough to make a hand in the field. The farm is one half mile west of Kenoma, Missouri. Later the Ft. Scott and Memphis railroad crossed the farm near the house. They were six miles south and east of Lamar.

It was here that Louise was twice married; first to Oscar Hannah, and after his death, to Frank Barrett, who was a civil engineer on the construction of the new railroad. Here also, Belva married Reason Burr, and Eliza married John Lindsey.

After some sixteen years on the farm, Jacob had a sale and went to Lamar and opened a bank, and later engaged in other business activities until about 1890, when he and Bruce moved to Bates County and located near Adrain. A few years later they went to Indian Territory and prospered. Jacob lived for many years at Alex, Oklahoma where he died. For a few years, Bruce farmed near DeRider, Louisiana and later moved to Jackson County, Missouri. There he, Alice and their daughter, Mildred died.

This brief story would be incomplete without mentioning Walter Howey (born October 4, 1873, married Effie Hampton, December 1, 1901 and died June 12, 1954), a boy whom Jacob raised, and who grew up as one of our cousins. Walter and his younger brother, Edward, lost both of their parents at about the same time by pneumonia when Walter was about four years old. An improvident neighbor family by the name of Denham was caring for the little boys, and appealed to the authorities for relief. The county authorities, being unable to locate any relatives of the little boys, were looking for homes for them. Jacob agreed to take Walter, but as he was a bachelor, refused to adopt the child. Edward was adopted by a family by the name of Sharp. Mrs. Sharp was a sister to Celestia Stuart Peugh, and lived west of Lamar. So the little boys were almost in the same family, and grew up knowing each other. These boys never gave their foster parents any grief, and grew up to be fine men. In Bates County, when Walter became twenty-one, Jacob helped him get started farming. He went to the Indian Territory with them. There he married and later settled in Missouri, nine miles west of Jasper City. He raised a fine family of six children, and they were all doing well when last I visited them in 1928.

Rachel Mary DeVault was born in 1821 at Hanover, York Co., PA. She was the daughter of Jacob Davault and Rachel Dorothy Kitzmiller. Rachel Mary DeVault married Thomas Hyder Hunt, son of Henson Hunt and Mary Pope, on 28 October 1837 at Washington Co., TN. Rachel Mary DeVault died on 15 October 1900 at Kansas City, Jackson Co., MO. She was buried in October 1900 at Reader Cemetery, 4 miles NE of Chesterfield, Macoupin Co., IL, according to Newland DeVault, but Tracy DeVault says he visited this cemetery and there is no evidence that Rachel (DeVault) Hunt was buried there, despite the stone for her husband and son James which is there.

     Rachel Sophia DeVault was born on 20 December 1865 at Glen Alpine, Burke Co., NC, 1900 census shows birth year 1866. She was the daughter of Jacob A. DeVault and Mary Ann Alexander. Rachel Sophia DeVault married Marshall Rankin McLean, son of James McLean and Isabelle Catherine DeVault, on 18 September 1890.
Note: It was said that Sophia once killed a mountain lion with a gun. When an article appeared in the local paper, describing the incident, future husband Marshall Rankin McLean wrote to her. This correspondance eventually led to their marriage.


Although she lost two sons to airplane crashes, she was a frequent passenger until her health prevented it. Rachel Sophia DeVault died on 13 April 1951 at Gibsonville, Guilford Co., NC, at age 85. She was buried in April 1951 at Friedens Lutheran Church Cemetery, Gibsonville, Guilford Co., NC.

     Ralph Earl DeVault was born on 11 December 1920 at Shelbyville, Shelby Co. (probably), IN. He was the son of William Walker DeVault and Estella Mae Pence. Ralph Earl DeVault married Hazel Irene DeBaun, daughter of Charles E. DeBaun and Minnie E. Schonfield, in 1942. Ralph Earl DeVault died on 15 February 1987 at Indianapolis, Marion Co., IN, at age 66 OBITUARY - The Indianapolis Star; Indianapolis, Indiana; Tuesday, February 17, 1987; Page 31

Ralph E. DeVault
Shelbyville, Ind. -- Services for Ralph E. DeVault, 66, a lifelong Shelby County resident, will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Ewing Mortuary, Shelbyville, with calling from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today. He died Sunday in Community Hospital. He had been an engineer for TriState Construction Co. 30 years, retiring in 1979. He was a World War II Army veteran and a member of Brookfield Baptist Church, Shelbyville Masonic Lodge 28, York Rite, Scottish Rite and Murat Temple. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent Hospital Outpatient Dialysis Center. Survivors: wife, Hazel I. DeBaun DeVault; daughters, Tessa Pursley, Lana Reinhart, Donna Smith and Terry Whicker; sisters, Betty Lamb, Nell Anderson, Harriet Kiplinger and Melvina Brinkley; brothers, Roy, Fred and Harry DeVault; seven grandchildren.

He was buried in February 1987 at Winchester Cemetery, Shelby Co., IN.
Note: Ralph and Hazel DeVault appear to have raised four children of Dale and Emma (Utsler) after the death of their mother in 1953. The foster arrangement may or may not have been legally documented.

     Ralph Morton DeVault was born circa 1908 at Tennessee. He was the son of Orgie Milton DeVault and Georgia Sprinkle Meredith. Ralph Morton DeVault died before 22 April 1940 at Kingsport, Sullivan Co., TN.

     Ralph Pulliam DeVault was born on 12 December 1879 at Asheville, Buncombe Co., NC. He was the son of Charles Wesley DeVault and Laura L. Pulliam. Ralph Pulliam DeVault married Ruth C. Tenney, daughter of George C. Tenney and Elsie L. Shepard, on 26 June 1911 at Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., MI. Occupation: Motion picture engineer in April 1930.¹ Ralph Pulliam DeVault lived on 12 April 1930 at Villa Park, DuPage Co., IL.¹
Note: During the depression Ralph came to California and tried to invent something that people could buy "without too much money." He invented the potato peeler, patented as the "DeVault" potato peeler, which can still be bought today.

He died on 11 November 1968 at Malibu, Los Angeles Co., CA, at age 88.

     Raymond Otto DeVault was born on 15 June 1925 at Piatt Co., IL. He was the son of Julius Raymond DeVault and Hattie Mae James. Raymond Otto DeVault died on 27 October 1932 at Willow Branch, Piatt Co., IL, at age 7. He was buried in October 1932 at Robison Cemetery, Piatt Co., IL, Findagrave #49462575.

     Reece David DeVault was born on 13 November 1875 at Sullivan Co., TN.¹ He was the son of John David DeVault and Nancy Melvina Hartness. Reece David DeVault married Sarah F. Boyer, daughter of Charles Boyer and Judith (?), between 1920 and 1929, no children to this marriage. Reece David DeVault died on 1 February 1929 at Kingsport, Sullivan Co., TN, at age 53 Death Notice - The Kingsport Times, Kingsport, Sullivan Co, Tennessee, February 1, 1929:

REECE DEVAULT IS CLAIMED BY DEATH
Resident of Rock Springs Dies at Local Hospital Following Brief Illness
Reece Devault, aged 52 of Rock Springs, and an uncle of Milton Devault, manager of Holston Coal Co., died in a local hospital this morning at 10 o'clock, following a brief illness. Mr. Devault was widely known in the Rock Springs district, having lived there for a number of years.
He is survived by his wife, mother, Mrs. Melvina Devault, four brothers; J. C. Devault, of Rock Springs, J. G. Devault, of Emory, Va., W. W. Devault of London, Ind., and O. M. Devault of Fairland, Ind. O. M. Devault is the father of Milton, Morton and Charlton Devault of this city.
Funeral services will be conducted from the Rock Springs church at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon.


OBITUARY - The Kingsport Times, Kingsport, Sullivan Co., Tennessee, February 3, 1929

REECE DEVAULT FUNERAL TODAY
Services Will Be Held at Rock Springs Church this Morning at 10 o'clock
Funeral services for Reece Devault, age 52 who died in a local hospital Friday following a brief illness, will be conducted from the Rock Springs Church this morning at 10:00 o'clock. Interment will follow in the cemetery near Rock Springs.
Mr. Devault is an uncle of Milton Devault, manager of the Holston Coal Co., Chaunce, high school boy and Morton, a student at Emory and Henry College, all of this city.
He is survived by his wife, mother, Mrs. Melvina Devault, four brothers, J. C. Devault, of Rock Springs, J. G. Devault of Emory, Va., W. W. Devault of London, Ind., and O. M. Devault of Fairland, Ind. O. M. Devault is the father of Milton, Morton and Charlton Devault of this city.


Cause of death: diabetes mellitis. He was buried in February 1929 at Rock Springs Cemetery, Rock Springs, Sullivan Co., TN.

     Richard Eugene DeVault was born on 30 December 1939. He was the son of Elmer Keith DeVault and Edna Louise Hylton. Richard Eugene DeVault died on 10 September 1995 at Lewis & Clark Co., MT, at age 55.

     Richard Irvin DeVault was born on 30 October 1945 at Hutchinson, Reno Co., KS. He was the son of Leland Tasaway DeVault and Ona Mae Wiard. Richard Irvin DeVault began military service Vietnam War, MSgt., U.S. Air Force. He died on 27 January 2005 at Ft. Worth, Tarrant Co., TX, at age 59. He was buried in 2005 at Dallas - Ft. Worth National Cemetery, Dallas, Dallas Co., TX.

     Richard Johnson DeVault was also known as "Dick". He was born on 7 July 1849 at DeVault's Ford, Washington Co., TN.¹ He was the son of Isaac DeVault and Mary Elizabeth Hannah. Richard Johnson DeVault married Martha Emmons, daughter of William T. Emmons and Hannah M. West. Richard Johnson DeVault died on 24 April 1891 at Mt. Airy, Surry Co., NC, at age 41.

     Riley DeVault died on 26 January 1904 at Twelve miles north of Jet, Alfalfa Co., OK. He was born on 26 January 1904 at Twelve miles north of Jet, Alfalfa Co., OK. He was the son of Samuel Henry DeVault and Margaret Angeline Shutt. Riley DeVault was buried in January 1904 at Union Valley Cemetery (aka Ware Cemetery), Alfalfa Co., OK.

     Robert DeVault was the son of Valentine DeVault and Edna Anne Hannah. Robert DeVault lived at Johnson City, TN.

     Robert Burns DeVault was born on 7 July 1871. He was the son of John DaVault and Mary C. Carmack. Robert Burns DeVault died on 27 December 1896 at age 25.

     Robert Franklin DeVault was born on 8 November 1863 at Glen Alpine, Burke Co., NC. He was the son of Jacob A. DeVault and Mary Ann Alexander. Occupation: carpenter, coffin maker, and general farm laborer at Burke Co., NC. Robert Franklin DeVault died on 31 July 1946 at Burke Co., NC, at age 82. He was buried in August 1946 at Glen Alpine Methodist Church Cemetery, Glen Alpine, Burke Co., NC.
Note: Did not marry.

     Robert Lee DeVault was also known as "Bob". He was born on 29 December 1927 at Oreana, Macon Co., IL. He was the son of Julius Raymond DeVault and Hattie Mae James. Robert Lee DeVault began military service Korean War, U.S. Army. He died on 20 September 2011 at Le Roy, McLean Co., IL, at age 83 Obituary (Findagrave.com):

FARMER CITY — Robert Lee "Bob" DeVault Sr., 83, Farmer City, passed away at 7:27 a.m. Tuesday (Sept. 20, 2011) at LeRoy Manor, LeRoy.

His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, Farmer City, with the Rev. Andy Baker officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Farmer City, with military rites accorded. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Bob was born Dec. 29, 1927, at Oreana, a son of Julius Raymond and Hattie May James DeVault. He married Shirley Ann Jackson on May 29, 1953, in Havana.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley A. DeVault, Farmer City; son, Robert L. (Debbie) DeVault Jr., Ogden; two daughters, Donna (Dana) Evans, Farmer City, and Carol A. (Eric) Kersey, Fisher; grandchildren, Brittany Louise Chrysler Evans, Brett A. Kersey, Quinten (Cynthia) DeVault and Sarah DeVault; great-grandchildren, Lexi Williams, Jason Jackson and Jashawna Jackson; and brother, Frank (Irene) DeVault, Bloomington.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and four sisters.

Bob had worked at the DeWitt County Co-op in Clinton for many years. He was an Army veteran of the Korean conflict. He was a life member of Joe Williams American Legion Post 55 and life member of Fred G. O'Malley Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6190, both of Farmer City.

He was buried in September 2011 at Maple Grove Cemetery, Farmer City, DeWitt Co., IL, Findagrave #76900014.

     Note: Robert Martin DeVault was converted at nine years of age; joined the Buffalo Ridge Baptist Church; and ordained as preacher there. Graduated Carson-Newman College, 1910; Newton Theological Institution, Boston, 1914. He was ordained in the old Buffalo Ridge Baptist Church while his father, Frederick W. DeVault, was a minister of that church (1905-1910). He was a fine violinist.

In 1914 Robert married his college sweetheart, Bess Moulton, daughter of Amos Rogan Moulton II and Clara Levica Hurlbert, Fall Branch, Tennessee. The wedding ceremony was performed at the Moulton home, 12 noon, by Dr. J. J. Burnett, president of Carson-Newman College. Following a honeymoon by horse and buggy, they lived in Greeneville, where he was pastor of First Baptist Church. Other pastorates: French Broad near Dandridge, Butler and surrounding churches (1921 to 1928). Raised funds for paying debts of Watauga Academy and Baptist High School, Butler. All five of their children graduated there: Robert, Dorothy, Doris, Leonard, Edwin.

After Robert's death in 1928, Bess taught piano at Watauga Academy and was principal-teacher of grammar school, Butler. She was a woman of strong Christian faith, integrity, wisdon and courage; a loving, sacrificial mother who worked hard to provide a college education for her five children. In 1941 she moved back to her childhood home in Fall Branch. Bess and Robert Martin DeVault were buried at Gray.

Rev. Robert Martin DeVault was born on 1 November 1886 at Jonesborough, Washington Co., TN. He was the son of Frederick William DeVault and Laura Adelaide Martin. Rev. Robert Martin DeVault was educated at Carson-Newman College and Newton Theological Institution, Boston, Suffolk Co., MA. He married Bess Telete Moulten, daughter of Amos Rogan Moulten and Clara Levica Hurlbert, on 22 October 1914 at the home of the bride, Fall Branch, Washington Co., TN, ceremony by Dr. J. J. Burnett, President of Carson-Newman College. Occupation: Baptist minister. Rev. Robert Martin DeVault died on 16 December 1928 at Johnson City, Washington Co., TN, at age 42. He was buried in December 1928 at Buffalo Ridge Church Cemetery, Gray's Station, Washington Co., TN.

     Robert Moulton DeVault was born on 1 August 1915. He was the son of Rev. Robert Martin DeVault and Bess Telete Moulten. Robert Moulton DeVault was graduated; Furman University and University of Tennessee. He began military service U. S. Army Air Corps. Occupation: He retired in 1984, completing fifty years as a teacher and coach at Watauga Academy, Elizabethton, Kingsport, Winston-Salem. Received the Roy N. Anderson Award for outstanding contributions to education. He died in October 1985 at Winston-Salem, Forsythe Co., NC, at age 70.

     Note: Robert "Bobby" died at eight years and at his request his three day old brother was named Robert.

Robert R. DeVault was born on 19 November 1878 at Washington Co., TN. He was the son of Frederick William DeVault and Laura Adelaide Martin. Robert R. DeVault died on 5 November 1886 at Washington Co., TN, at age 7. He was buried in November 1886 at Buffalo Ridge Church Cemetery, Gray's Station, Washington Co., TN, Headstone legend:

BOBBIE R.
Son of
Fred & Laura DeVault
Born Nov. 19, 1878
Died Nov. 5, 1886
"Heed my ... all ... in heaven."

     Robert Tenney DeVault was born on 7 October 1920 at Calhoun Co. (probably), MI. He was the son of Ralph Pulliam DeVault and Ruth C. Tenney. Robert Tenney DeVault married Norma K. Calkins, daughter of Arthur Vernon Calkins and Hilma Christine Malmgren, in 1942 at South Pasadena, Los Angelse Co., CA. Robert Tenney DeVault died on 13 February 1992 at Felton, Santa Cruz Co., CA, at age 71.

     Robert Valentine DeVault married Lila Gordon King Pinnix. Robert Valentine DeVault was born on 4 May 1906 at DeVault's Ford, Washington Co., TN. He was the son of William Weldon DeVault and Adelaide Gresham. Robert Valentine DeVault died after 1956.

     Roller Dutton DeVault was born on 29 December 1908 at Farnham, Richmond Co., VA. He was the son of Rev. Samuel Pierce DeVault and Helen Mary Oldham. Roller Dutton DeVault married Emma Alyne Smelcer, daughter of Alden Clark Smelcer and Elsie Bible, on 28 July 1939. Roller Dutton DeVault lived at La Mesa, San Diego Co., CA. He began military service U.S. Navy, retired 1956. He died on 16 October 1958 at La Mesa, San Diego Co., CA, at age 49. He was buried in October 1958 at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, Point Loma, San Diego Co., CA.

     Roy Allen DeVault was born on 22 March 1923 at Shelby Co. (probably), IN. He was the son of William Walker DeVault and Estella Mae Pence. Roy Allen DeVault began military service WW II service, U.S. Army, Sixth Ranger Battalion. He married Frances F. DeBaun, daughter of Charles E. DeBaun and Minnie E. Schonfield, on 21 November 1951. Roy Allen DeVault died on 21 February 2000 at Beech Grove, Marion Co., IN, at age 76 OBITUARY:

Roy A. DeVault, 76, died Feb. 21, at S. Francis Hospital, Beech Grove. Born March 22, 1923, he was the son of William Walker and Stella Mae (Pence) DeVault. He married Francis (DeBaun) DeVault on Nov. 21, 1951, and she preceded him in death on April 15, 1997. Mr. DeVault was raised at the Masonic Orphans Home, Franklin. He served in World War II with the U. S. Army 6th Ranger Battalion. He was plant manager for the J. L. Chase International Furniture Company, Rushville, in the 1960s and retired from Wellman Thermal Systems, Shelbyville, in the mid 1980s. He was a member of F.@A.M. Lodge 28, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Lewis Creek Baptist Church. Survivors include one son, Robert A. DeVault, Greenwood; one daughter, Mrs. Harold (June) Crowell, Bargersville; two sisters, Betty Lamb, Shelbyville, and Melvina Binkley, Westport; and seven granddaughters. He was preceded in death by four sisters and six brothers. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Carmony-Ewing Harrison Street Funeral Home, with the Rev. CLiff Bunch officiating. Burial will be in Winchester Cemetery, Shelby County, with military graveside services conducted by local service organizations. Friends may visit from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with Masonic services conducted by F.@A.M. Lodge 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

He was buried in February 2000 at Winchester Cemetery, Winchester, Shelby Co., IN, Find A Grave Memorial# 19772956.

     Ruby Frances DeVault was born on 20 October 1893 at Morsey, Warren Co., MO. She was the daughter of Dr. William Bruce DeVault and Mary Frances Powell. Ruby Frances DeVault married Col. Paul O. Franson on 17 January 1914 at Montgomery, Montgomery Co., AL. Ruby Frances DeVault died on 10 September 1957 at Montgomery, Montgomery Co., AL, at age 63. Cause of death: in 1957 Cancer.

     Rufus I. DeVault was born on 7 March 1868 at Massengill Tract. He was the son of Isaac DeVault and Mary Elizabeth Hannah. Rufus I. DeVault died on 28 October 1892 at Mt. Airy, FL, at age 24. He was buried in 1892 at DeVault Cemetery, DeVault's Ford, Washington Co., TN.
Note: Did not marry.

     Ruth LeMay DeVault was also known as "Mimi". She was born on 21 April 1917 at Martinsburg, Audrain Co., MO. She was the daughter of John Baker DeVault and Effie Dye Walker. Ruth LeMay DeVault married Orville Hockett Read, son of Roscoe Read and Elizabeth Hockett, on 19 June 1937 at Mexico, Audrain Co., MO. Ruth LeMay DeVault lived at La Jolla, San Diego Co., CA. She died on 11 June 2002 at La Jolla, San Diego Co., CA, at age 85

Ruth LeMay (DeVault) Read -- A Remarkable Lady
"The unexpected twin." Perhaps that would be the most accurate way to describe my grandmother,
Mimi's (Ruth's) first moments.
On April 31, 1917, in a small town by the name of Martinsburg, Missouri, a baby boy was brought into the world . . . . . . and a few minutes later his twin sister was, too. The stories she heard of the birth told of a second baby that was so unexpected they wrapped her in some blankets and put her in the warming oven. Soon after the birth, when the twins were eighteen months old, a near tragedy struck. Ruth and Francis took sick and were rushed by train to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. My grandmother isn't sure what the sickness was, but remembers her brother went into a coma and had to stay longer at the hospital. Luckily, both twins were spared.
Although she was the unexpected child, Ruth LeMay DeVault thought her childhood to be full and happy. Her father, John B. DeVault sold Studebakers for a living and provided a comfortable home for his wife, Effie Dye Walker, and their three children. Their house in Mexico, Missouri, was built with the rooms circling around a core room where the children loved to play. Young Ruth got along well with her younger brother, John, and her twin, Francis. In fact, one of her earliest childhood memories is of her riding a bike with John in the basket. Over the years, the children played games like checkers and dominos or with their many collies. One particular family vacation she remembers, was the time they went to visit Mr. DeVault's relatives in Kentucky, when she was about ten. My grandmother found it memorable because the family served their salad as a separate meal. The DeVault family had close ties to their Presbyterian Church. Mr. DeVault was a church elder and superintendent of Sunday School, while Ruth spent some of her time there playing the piano. Although they were strongly tied to the church, Ruth attended a public school until college. From first grade on, Ruth and about eight other school girls were an inseparable group. "Of course, I always liked the boys," she remembers. By sixth grade she had many boyfriends. One boy even brought her a birthday present of candy while riding his pony!
Sadly, because of the terrible depression that was hanging over the country, Ruth was the only one of her group of friends that was able to attend college. She attended a Christian girl's college in town. She remembers, laughing, that the students were not allowed to go into town without their gloves on. She also attended the University of Missouri, where she majored in humanities and piano/organ. Once out of college, she married Orville Hockett Read. They had met at a Demolay Organization dance when she was a sophomore. According to my grandmother, he was attractive because he was older (out of college when she met him) and willing to wait for her to go to college. They were to have a huge, traditional wedding in the Presbyterian church, but her mother took sick and it was cancelled. The sickness, sadly became quite serious and Mrs. DeVault died when Ruth was nineteen. The wedding did go on though, just smaller. The newlyweds took a short honeymoon, what most people would call a business trip to Duluth, Minnesota. Orville had some work to do there so Ruth accompanied him. After the trip, they returned to their home in Detroit, Michigan. Their first child was born in San Mateo, California. The bouncy girl was named Ruth Carol Read. Her brother (my father) John DeVault Read, followed a few years later in Newark, New Jersey. The children got along well and brought their parents great joy in their personalities and accomplishments. Sadly, in October of 1991, my grandfather passed away. It was a tough time for those that were close to the intelligent man, but the family coped. One of the largest trips my grandmother has taken as an adult was when she went along with my father when his choir toured Europe. John was high school age and they both found it to be a very good experience. Of the many places she has lived as an adult, her favorite is the small beach town of La Jolla, California, where she lives now. Ruth gained some recognition in La Jolla when she was elected associate vice president of the Coldwell Banker Real Estate branch in town. She is retired now, but is still doing her best to help the community. In her spare time, she helps manage the Darlington House, which raises money for a house for ladies of diminished means. You can also take a tour of the Salk Institute conducted by this wonderful lady. But the place you'll find Ruth most is watching over her son, his wife, and their new baby boy, John DeVault Read, Jr. When asked what part of her life she would like to live over, she immediately responded, her forties. Ruth LeMay (DeVault) Read's reason was simple: "They were fun!"
Written by Abigail Read, 7th grade, age 13.


OBITUARY:
Ruth D. Read of La Jolla died peacefully in her home. She was predeceased by her husband O.H.
(Bud) Read with whom she shared 54 years of a loving and mutually supportive marriage. She nurtured and is survived by her son John D. Read of San Diego, her daughter Missy Read Vanderbilt of Dallas, four grandchildren, and a treasured great-grandbaby. Ruth was a former President of the Social Service League of La Jolla, involved in several arts groups, and was a docent at the Salk Institute. She was an Associate Vice President of Coldwell Banker in La Jolla.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Endowment Fund of the Social Service League of La Jolla, PO Box 831, La Jolla, CA 92038.

     Dr. Samuel H. DeVault was born on 1 July 1889 at Jonesborough, Washington Co., TN. He was the son of Frederick William DeVault and Laura Adelaide Martin. Dr. Samuel H. DeVault was educated at Carson-Newman College, University of Virginia, VA. He married Nell C. Milton on 5 September 1917. Occupation: Professor of Agricultural Economics, University of Maryland between 1922 and 1951.
Note: July 1951 Newspaper Article

DR. DeVAULT, FORMER COUNTY MAN, RETIRES
Dr. Samuel H. DeVault, former Washington county resident, will retire July 31, after 29 years service as head of the department of agricultural economics and marketing at the University of Maryland. He joind the university faculty in 1922 and established the department he headed. Born in Jonesboro, Dr. DeVault is a member of a pioneer Washington County family. His parents were Fred W. and Laura Martin DeVault. After graduation from Carson-Newman College in 1912, he served as principal of Conklin School for two years. He received his master's degree from the University of North Carolina in 1915 and his doctorate from Massachusetts State College, now the University of Massachusetts, in 1931. For three years, Dr. DeVault was a special agent in the Census Bureau's division of agriculture. Later, he was in charge of transportation research for the bureau of agricultural economics of the United States Department of Agriculture. He also worked as an agricultural economist with the U. S. Chamber of Commerce. Dr. DeVault is the author and co-author of more than 100 publications on ecomomic phases of agriculture. His biographical sketch appears in "Who's Who in America", "Who's Who in Commerce and Industry". and "American men of Science." He is a member of the American Farm Economics Association, Naional Association of Marketing Officials, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of University Professors, the Grange, Farm and the Pi Gamma Mu and Alpha Gamma Rho fraternities. During the war, Dr. DeVault was secretary of the state farm labor committee and a member of the agricultural advisory committee of the OPA in Maryland. At one time, he was chairman of the special advisory committee on the U. S. Census of Agriculture. He has been a member of various tax commissions appointed by the governors of Maryland. He has also served on the governor's market commission and the state nutrition committee. Dr. DeVault resides at Paint Branch Farms near Silver Springs, Maryland.

Dr. Samuel H. DeVault died on 22 June 1974 at age 84. He was buried in June 1974 at New York.

     Samuel Henry DeVault was born on 28 May 1860 at Darke Co., OH.¹ He was the son of George C. DeVault and Prudence Davalt. Samuel Henry DeVault married Elizabeth Jane McDonnell, daughter of Edward Howard McDonnell and Alice Webster, in 1887. Samuel Henry DeVault married Margaret Angeline Shutt, daughter of Jefferson Shutt and Mary Ann Steele, on 30 August 1900 at Springhill, Warren Co., IA. Samuel Henry DeVault died on 31 December 1936 at Enid, Garfield Co., OK, at age 76. He was buried in January 1937 at Union Valley Cemetery (aka Ware Cemetery), Alfalfa Co., OK, Findagrave #23820126.
Note: Samuel relocated to Oklahoma at the time of the land rush in the 1890s.

     Samuel Jacob DeVault died on 26 May 1887 at McDowell Co., NC. He was born on 26 May 1887 at McDowell Co., NC. He was the son of Hugh Alexander Tate DeVault and Mary Alice Brown.

     Note: did not marry. Samuel Paul DeVault was born in 1885 at Leesburg, Washington Co., TN. He was the son of Frederick Russell DeVault and Blanche Etta Sill. Samuel Paul DeVault died on 24 July 1926. He was buried in July 1926 at Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Leesburg, Washington Co., TN.