BIO: B. J. DeVOR, Huntingdon County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 356-357.
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  B. J. DE VOR, Mount Union, Pa., was born in Franklin county, Pa., 
October 29, 1829, and is a son of the late James and Rebecca (Fleck) De 
Vor. His father, James De Vor, was the son of French parents and was 
born in Franklin county, November 11, 1801. He learned stone masonry, 
at which he worked in Franklin county until 1825, when he removed to 
near Three Springs, Cromwell township, Huntingdon county, and was a 
farmer for the remainder of his life. Mr. De Vor married Rebecca Fleck, 
a native of Ambersons valley, Franklin county, who was of German 
parentage. She was born December 8, 1801. Their children are: Hezekiah, 
who died in infancy; Joseph C., a resident of Harrisburg, Pa.; B. J., 
of Mount Union; Elizabeth (Mrs. Jacob B. Swope), of Cromwell township, 
Huntingdon county; Mary Ann (Mrs. Harrison Wagner), of Saltillo; David, 
who died in infancy; Hannah (Mrs. George Miller), of Pitcairn, 
Allegheny county, Pa.; Maggie (Mrs. D. L. Grisinger), of Orbisonia; and 
Jennie, deceased. Mr. De Vor died May 7, 1881, and his wife August 16, 
1870. He was a member of the Republican party, and had held various 
township offices. He was a member of the church of the United Brethren 
in Christ.
  B. J. De Vor received his education in the common and select schools. 
When twenty years of age he began teaching in the common schools and 
taught for ten successive terms. In 1861, Mr. De Vor engaged in 
mercantile business at Shirleysburg, continuing four years. He then 
removed to Mount Union, where he carried on a store from 1865 to 1871. 
From the latter year until 1875, he was owner and operator of the 
National Steam Flouring Mill, Mount Union. He studied theology and was 
examined before the board of examination of applicants for ordination 
by the ministry, met at Johnstown, Pa., and was admitted to that body 
of ministers of the United Brethren in Christ church, Allegheny 
Conference, Pa. He began reading law in 1875, Hon. H. C. Shafer, of 
Huntingdon, being his preceptor. In 1878 Mr. De Vor was admitted to the 
bar, and has since pursued the practice of his profession in Mount 
Union. Beside his legal business he gives his attention to transactions 
in real estate, and is also agent for a number of life insurance 
companies. He is a Republican, and has been a member of the borough 
council and school board. He was one of the incorporators of the 
borough of Mount Union in 1867. Since arriving at manhood, Mr. De Vor 
has in addition to his other employment, given his attention to 
surveying and civil engineering, and has done a great deal of important 
work for the courts of Huntingdon county.
  On April 8, 1855, Mr. De Vor was married to Margaret J., daughter of 
Anthony and Nancy (Ripple) Faust. Their children are: Gerald L., 
married to Nellie Coleman, of Chicago, is now a resident of Akron, O., 
and general auditor of the Werner Publishing Company; Lizzie I.; and 
Emma L. (Mrs. L. Bergman Mentzer), of Baltimore, Md. Mr. De Vor is a 
member of the Presbyterian church, and has for a number of years been 
superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is an old and respected citizen 
of Mount Union and stands high in the esteem of a large circle of 
personal friends.

Note: First name is Bazil [Bazel, Basil], according to the 1880 census.

1850 Cromwell township, Huntingdon County census -
James Dever, 49
Rebecca Dever, 49
Joseph Dever, 22
Bazel J. Dever, 21
Elizabeth Dever, 18
Mary A. Dever, 17
Hannah Dever, 16
Margeret Dever, 8
Rebecca J. Dever, 6