J. HARVEY DEVORE

       J. Harvey DEVORE, a member of the merchandise brokerage firm of 
Copp & Devore, one of the most prominent concerns of the kind in the 
city of Wheeling, West Virginia, has been a resident of this city 
since 1882.  He was born in Monroe county, Ohio, in 1858.  His 
father, J. W. Devore, was born in Carroll county, Ohio, in 1838, and 
while still a lad removed with his parents to Monroe county, of the 
same state.  He saw three years of active service in the Union army 
during the Civil War, having enlisted as a private and having later 
become a corporal in Company A, 116th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf.  His wife 
attempted to visit her husband, who was then with his regiment at 
Lynchburg, Virginia.  Before reaching that point, however, she was 
captured by the Confederates at Harper's Ferry and was carried a 
prisoner to Macon, Georgia, where she was confined for some months.  
In the meantime her husband had obtained a furlough to visit home, 
and returned to find his wife gone, and for some time they lost all 
trace of each other and, very naturally, each thought the other dead.  
The were finally reunited, however, and reared a family of five sons 
and one daughter, --J. Harvey being the eldest child.  The beloved 
father died in 1893, but is still survived by his widow, who now 
resides at Woodsfield, Ohio.
	Capt. Daniel B. Devore, a brother of J. Harvey, has filled many 
important positions, and is now a captain in the 23d Regiment, U. S 
Infantry, stationed at Fort J. A. Russell, Wyoming.  He graduated 
from West Point in 1885, was then put on detail duty for some time 
and subsequently served as professor of mathematics for five years in 
that academy.  Later he served on the staff of General Alger, who was 
Secretary of War; in this capacity he was sent to Lapland and brought 
over a shipload of 500 reindeer, which were afterward transported to 
Alaska.
	J. Harvey Devore was educated in his native state, and for a 
brief time followed the profession of teaching.  Upon locating in 
Wheeling he worked int he dry goods house of J. S. Rhodes & Company 
as clerk for one year.  In 1883 Mr. Devore embarked in the business 
which has been his life work ever since.  He was first associated 
with the brokerage firm of Bown & Good, and later entered into 
partnership with Charles H. Copp, whose biography appears elsewhere 
in this volume.
	Mr. Devore was first united in marriage with Ada Swarts, a 
native of Monroe county, Ohio, who died in 1895, leaving four 
children, -- Chauncey C., Leland S., Helene V., and Gerald B.  Mr. 
Devore formed a second marriage in 1898, when he wedded Alice B. 
Walters. who is a native of Zanesville, Ohio, but at the time of her 
marriage she was a resident of Wheeling.  They reside on the Island, 
at No. 101 South Pennsylvania street, and are members of the Fourth 
Street Methodist Episcopal church.
	Politically, Mr. Devore is a Republican.  He affiliates with 
Franklin Lodge, No. 3, I. O. O. F., of Wheeling.  Until quite 
recently Mr. Devore was member of Governor Atkinson's staff, with the 
rank of colonel, and served as assistant commissary general.  This 
appointment was a most complete and pleasant surprise to Mr. Devore, 
who had not solicited the place which he filled with credit until 
March, 1901.  His worth and popularity are unquestioned and he is 
regarded as one of the solid business men of the community.

From "HISTORY OF WHEELING and Ohio County, West Virginia and 
Representative Citizens."  Edited & Compiled by Hon. Gibson Lamb 
Cranmer.  Biographical Publishing, 1902; p. 374-375. 

(Laurie Birks Dean)