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William Henry “Uncle Henry” DeVore

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William Henry “Uncle Henry” DeVore

Birth	:	25 May 1847 Meigs County, Ohio, USA
Death	:	15 Feb 1919 Vinton, Gallia County, Ohio, USA
Burial	:	McGhee Cemetery, Vinton, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate	:	38.9782982, -82.3431015
Description	:	One of the well-known evangelists in the upper Ohio valley at the turn of the last century was W. H. Devore. "Uncle Henry" was a self-made preacher like many of his generation and a fixture in the pages of the Christian Leader from its beginning until his death in 1919. He was described as having an "even temperament, not easily ruffled, a good counselor, and one who had the spirit of the Master." (Rowe, 8). William Henry Devore was born in Beverly, Ohio, on May 25, 1847. His parents were Solomon and Margaret Devore. His father was a gospel preacher,... Read More	One of the well-known evangelists in the upper Ohio valley at the turn of the last century was W. H. Devore. "Uncle Henry" was a self-made preacher like many of his generation and a fixture in the pages of the Christian Leader from its beginning until his death in 1919. He was described as having an "even temperament, not easily ruffled, a good counselor, and one who had the spirit of the Master." (Rowe, 8). William Henry Devore was born in Beverly, Ohio, on May 25, 1847. His parents were Solomon and Margaret Devore. His father was a gospel preacher, and William was baptized by his father at the old Clay Townhouse in Gallia County, Ohio, when he was 16 years old. He married Rachel Harkins and resided in Danville, Ohio. He worshiped with the church of Christ meeting there and led singing for the congregation. Devore began preaching at the age of 27, having been encouraged by a brother Cobren, one of the elders of the Danville congregation to "make an exhortation." After working on his talk all week, in which he determined to "impress the people," Devore was called to give his exhortation. In his own words it was a "signal failure," but Devore was thankful that God had allowed him to fail. After returning home, he vowed, "If God has anything for me to do, I will find out what it is and do it, and from henceforth and for evermore I would never attempt to ape any man or to be seen by men but approved by God." (Preacher, 2). One text that Devore kept as a guide throughout his ministry was 2 Timothy 2:15: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly applying the Word of Truth." This was the text for the one sermon he had prepared when called, the week after his failure, to go to Grass Run, Ohio, and preach in the schoolhouse on Saturday night. His brother-in-law, Will Harkins, accompanied him, but both men had little experience. After a 7 mile walk to the schoolhouse, Devore made abetter effort this time despite being interrupted in the sermon by a drunk from the village. He was invited to stay the night and give another sermon the following day. Though he had only one sermon with him, Devore agreed. His first preaching call lasted for three consecutive weekends, beginning on Saturday night and finishing on Monday evening. For this he was paid $1.15. Thus began a preaching ministry which lasted for more than 40 years and endeared "Uncle Henry" to hundreds of believers in rural communities radiating from his Ohio home and carrying him to West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois. The period in which Devore preached was marked by division within the Restoration movement. Devore looked on the missionary society and instruments of music in worship as additions to the gospel, which was the only basis for Christian unity. He wrote, "The spirit that prompts or leads men and women to introduce into the work and worship of the church of God anything not absolutely necessary to obey one or all the commands and ordinances of Jesus Christ, is not the spirit or any part of the spirit of Christ" (Letter - 1905, 4). His years of preaching were characterized by hardship and sacrifice. One time after evangelizing in the Tygart Valley of West Virginia, he wrote, "I am going from here home to spend a week or more pulling and digging up weeds, and hoeing out the truck patches. I can serve God acceptably and spend part of my time in the 'tater patch.' Sometimes I feel like asking, 'What is a preacher without a tater patch and a hen roost?'" (Letter -1917, 4). His wife Rachel often bore the burden of providing for the family while her husband was away preaching. She would send him on his way to answer the calls to preach "But knowing that I was doing good, she suffered the privation of many enjoyments in silence." (Preacher, 2). Devore died on February 15, 1919. He is buried in Vinton, Ohio. Articles Cited: W. H. Devore, "How I Became a Preacher," Christian Leader and The Way 5-29-1906: 2; "Letter From Bro. Devore," Christian Leader and The Way 7-25-1905: 4; "Letter From Bro. Devore," Christian Leader 7-3-1917: 4; Fred L. Rowe, "William Henry Devore," Christian Leader 2-25-1919: 8. [Bruce Daugherty, West Virginia Christian, July 2006, p. 6].

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is William Henry “Uncle Henry” DeVore's memorial?
William Henry “Uncle Henry” DeVore's memorial is located at: McGhee Cemetery, Vinton, Gallia County, USA.
When did William Henry “Uncle Henry” DeVore death?
William Henry “Uncle Henry” DeVore death on 15 Feb 1919 in Vinton, Gallia County, Ohio, USA
Where are the coordinates of the William Henry “Uncle Henry” DeVore's memorial?
Latitude: 38.9782982
Longitude: -82.3431015

Family Members:

Parent

Rev Solomon Devoir

(1809 - 1880)

Margaret Jane Goodwin Devoir

(1813 - 1890)

Spouse

Siblings

James “Jimmy” DeVoir

(1833 - 1905)

Elizabeth “Betsy” DeVoir Colvin

(1836 - 1909)

Rachel Devoir Colvin

(1838 - 1883)

Mahala DeVoir Hall

(1842 - 1921)

Margaret Jane Devoir Gilfilen

(1846 - 1920)

Sarah Ann Devoir Waugh

(1849 - 1915)

Mary Anna Devoir Steele

(1851 - 1927)

Solomon Lindsay Devoir

(1855 - 1906)

Llewellyn Harvey Devoir

(1859 - 1929)

Children

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. McGhee Cemetery
Vinton, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9782982, -82.3431015

2. Glenn Cemetery
Huntington Township, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9716270, -82.3452150

3. Holcomb Cemetery
Vinton, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9707985, -82.3467026

4. Old Holcomb Cemetery
Huntington Township, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9707500, -82.3467200

5. Vinton Memorial Cemetery
Vinton, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9858017, -82.3593979

6. Norman Cemetery
Huntington Township, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9883240, -82.3590770

7. Lower McCarley Cemetery
Huntington Township, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9633680, -82.3295274

8. McLiesh Cemetery
Morgan Township, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9949989, -82.3238983

9. Pendleton Marcum Cemetery
Huntington Township, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9969373, -82.3669481

10. Upper McCarley Cemetery
Morgan Township, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9564018, -82.3230972

11. Tyler Cemetery
Huntington Township, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9480340, -82.3452470

12. Shields Cemetery
Morgan Township, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9686012, -82.3058014

13. Ewington Cemetery
Huntington Township, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0099983, -82.3514023

14. Ewing Cemetery
Huntington Township, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0124830, -82.3387258

15. Huntley Cemetery
Huntington Township, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9996750, -82.3784750

16. Dyke Cemetery
Morgan Township, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9618988, -82.3032990

17. Honaker Cemetery
Morgan Township, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9743110, -82.2976170

18. Mount Tabor Cemetery
Huntington Township, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9547005, -82.3778000

19. Wood Cemetery
Huntington Township, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0092010, -82.3747025

20. Shilo Cemetery
Huntington Township, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9813995, -82.3938980

21. Mount Olive Cemetery
Springfield Township, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9389587, -82.3287597

22. Wilcox Cemetery
Huntington Township, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9929920, -82.3922730

23. Piper Cemetery
Salem Township, Meigs County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0152480, -82.3160770

24. Franklin Cemetery
Huntington Township, Gallia County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0133018, -82.3850021