Washington Co., AR - Biographies - David Divelbiss *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: The Goodspeed Publishing Co Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenwebarchives.org *********************************************** David Divelbiss, a prominent citizen of Riceland Township, Washington Co., Ark., was born in Morrow County, Ohio, on the 25th of October, 1834, and is a son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Henline) Divelbiss, whose ancestors were Germans, and came to the United States prior to the Revolutionary War. The Divelbiss family first located in Maryland, and afterward in Pennsylvania, where Frederick Divelbiss was born in August, 1809. He is now residing in Huntington County. Ind. His wife was born in Huntingdon County, Penn., in June, 1809. and died in Huntington County. Ind., November 11, 1881. They were married in Ohio, and there resided until 1849, at which time they moved to Indiana. The father has been a life-long farmer, and is a Republican in his political views. David Divelbiss was the third of nine children, seven of whom are living: David: Samuel; Maria. the wife of John Christman; Jonas; Sophia, wife of Elias Patterson; Marian. the wife of George Seese, and William C. At the early age of seventeen years David began to earn his own living, by hiring out by the month. In 1860 he purchased land in Huntington County. Ind., and began his career as a farmer, but October 21, 1862, left the plow and enlisted in the United States army, in Company C. thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and served until October 20, 1865, when he was discharged at Brownsville, Tex. He was in many hotly contested battles, and after the war returned home and again turned his attention to farming. In the spring of 1876 he came to Washington County, Ark., and bought the farm of 320 acres on which he now lives. He is also engaged in the stock and dairy business, and in 1887 sold $700 worth of [p.936] butter. His cattle are full-blooded Jerseys. Mr. Divelbiss is a stanch Republican, and is a member of the G. A. R. and I. O. O. F. June 5, 1859, he was married to Mary, a daughter of Albert Draper. She was born in Huntington County, Ind., March 14, 1842, and she and Mr. Divelbiss are the parents of the following family: Rachel, wife of B. F. Johnson; Mary C., Francis E., Sarah T., Frederick W., Albert D., Solomon B. and Samuel C. Those deceased are Nora A. and Anna M. Mr. and Mrs. Divelbiss are worthy members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and are well known and respected in the county in which they reside.