David DeVol was born in Chatham, NY in 1805. Delia Toby was born in Canaan, NY in 1812. They were married in 1830 and eventually had 10 children, only 5 of their children lived to adulthood. They started out their married life running a general mercantile business in Chatham, NY and later, in West Stockbridge, MA. In 1841 they moved to Nauvoo, IL. After 5 years in Illinois they headed west, settling in Council Bluffs in 1847.
David DeVol was involved in various trades during his early years in Council Bluffs. He was a Justice of the Peace, Assessor and Deputy District Clerk. In 1861 he went to work with his son P.C. DeVol who owned a stove and tinware store. In 1899, just a few days shy of his 94th birthday, David fell down the elevator hole in his son's store. After landing in the cellar his only injury was a scratch to his finger.
David and Delia DeVol didn't appear in the society columns and they didn't travel much. Delia DeVol took care of their home at 114 S 1st Street and was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church. Delia passed away in October 1894 at the age of 82. She is buried in Fairview Cemetery.
In the last few years of his life, David DeVol lived at home with his daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. David died in July 1901 at the age of 95. He is buried in Fairview Cemetery along side his wife.
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