Devan - James
JAMES DEVAN
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Review, March 3, 1909 p 2
James Devan, a well known resident of Montgomery County for the past 54 years, died at midnight Sunday at the advanced age of 80 years. The cause was general debility, due to old age. Decedent was born in county of Limerick, Ireland and came to this country 61 years ago. He lived in NY state for five years and then moved to Montgomery County and for years had a farm at Covington Hill. About 15 years ago he purchased the Jerry Snyder farm at Black Creek where he died He was well known throughout the county as a ditch contractor and has probably dug more miles of ditches than any other man in the county. Mr. Devan saved much money as the result of his thrift and he always had a roll of bills upon his person, oftentimes having the bills sewed up under patches in his trousers or in the lining of his coat. Mr. Devan never married and at the time of his death his three nieces, Mrs. T. Holmes and Misses Bridge and Mary Devan lived with him. Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at St. Bernard's Catholic Church of which he was a member for many years. Father T.M. Conroy will have charge. Interment at Calvary Cemetery. - transcribed by kbz
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Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Review, March 12, 1909 p 3
"Pig Paradise news" -- Uncle Jimmie Devan, the duke of ditch diggers, who died last week, was an eccentric character. He was a hard-working man, good-natured and honest. He had misanthropic moods and had more confidence in a brush pile than a bank. He left considerable property. - transcribed by kbz