A well improved farm of eighty acres on section 8, Spring Creek township, is the property of Luther Devenney, who carries on agricultural pursuits and stock raising there. He has a valuable property, and the well-tilled fields yield to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestows upon them. The buildings and fences are kept in good repair, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates the careful supervision of the owner, who is recognized as one of the wide-awake and enterprising farmers of his locality. He was born near Granville, Licking county, Ohio, November 8, 1833, and is a son of David C. Devenney, a native of Virginia, who was reared to man-hood in the Old Dominion and there wedded Miss Mary Light. They afterward came to Ohio, making the journey westward by team, at an early day. The father was a tanner by trade, and died in Brown township, Miami county, in February, 1880, at the age of eighty-one years. In his family were eight children: Levi, who died in 1895; Ann, who became the wife of John Weaver and died in1885; Amanda, widow of J. W. Mathews, of Indianola, Illinois; Mary J., who died in 1862; Harriet who is living in Dayton; Eliza, widow of Daniel Scudder, of Greenville, Ohio; Luther; and Wesley, who was killed at the battle of Cedar Creek. He held the rank of captain of Company E, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and enlisted in August, 1862. He was first a recruiting officer, but went to the front as orderly sergeant, and for bravery displayed on the field of action was promoted to the captaincy. He thus served until the 19th of October, 1864, when he was wounded at the battle of Cedar Creek, and on the 23d of October, following, he died from his injuries, giving his life a willing sacrifice to his country.

The common schools afforded Luther Devenney his educational privileges. The labors and sports of childhood occupied his time outside of school hours, and thus the years passed until he had attained his majority. He, too, was one of the loyal sons of the Union during the Civil war, responding to the call for aid on the 2d of May, 1864, when he became a private of Company E, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This regiment, composed of one hundred-day men, went to the defense of Washington, District of Columbia, and on the expiration of his term he was honorably discharged and returned to Brown township, Miami county, where he engaged in farming until 1871. In that year he removed to Hancock county, Illinois, settling near Carthage, but after two years he returned to Spring Creek township and purchased the farm upon which he now lives. He owns eighty acres, and this highly cultivated tract yields to him excellent harvests.

On the 16th of March, 1865, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Devenney and Miss Louisa C. Patterson, a daughter of James Patterson. They had three children, but have lost two: Clyde, who died August 23, 1872, and Etta, who died February 28, 1883. The surviving daughter, Viola, is the wife of William Catterlin, of Piqua. The family attend the Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Devenney is a member. His political support is given the men and measures of the Democracy, and socially he is connected with Devenney Post, No. 248, G. A. R., of Fletcher, which was named in honor of his brother, Captain Wesley Devenney. His life has been quiet and uneventful, but has been characterized by fidelity to duty in every relation. He is a man of sterling worth, faithful in citizenship, honorable in business and true and reliable in friendship.