Louis DeVaud

Taken from Commemorative Biographical Record

Louis DeVaud. Among the residents of Dupont township, Waupaca county, there is but one who has longer resided within its boarders than this gentleman, who dates his residence here from 1857. He has lived in Wisconsin since 1854, at which time he located in Oshkosh. A year later he went to Winneconne, and thence to his present home. He has witnessed the entire growth and development of this region, and in the work of progress and up building has ever borne his part, being especially active in transforming the wild land into rich and fertile fields.

Mr. DeVaud was born November 15, 1825, in the township of Forrest, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland, and is a son of Frederick and Jane (Deserant) De Vaud, who were of French decent. The father was a farmer by occupation and a successful business man. The family numbered six children besides our subject - David, Francis, and Daniel, all in Switzerland, and Jeanette, Mary and Caroline, who are married and also reside in that country. Our subject, the only representative of the family in America, was educated in the common schools of his native land, and as soon as old enough began to work on the farm, becoming familiar with all the duties that fall to the lot of agriculturist. He continued with his parents until twenty-two years of age, and then began working for others that his labors might be more directly benefit himself, spending his time thus until 1852 when he sailed for America. After a twenty-seven days voyage on a sailing vessel he reached New York, and during the two succeeding years engaged in farming in the Empire State, where he received as much for his services in two months as was given him in Switzerland in a year. In 1854 he arrived in Oshkosh, Wis., where he worked in the lumber woods and followed the river for about four seasons.

After his removal to Winneconne, in 1855, Mr. DeVaud began farming and also operating a threshing machine, On removing to Waupaca County he settled in what was then Union township, within whose borders at that time there lived only one other family. The previous year he had purchased of the government 160 acres of land in Section 26 and in 1857 located thereon, and began the development of his present farm, which is now included in Dupont township. The timber was so think that a number of trees had to be cut away in order to give space for a house. As there were not enough men in the locality to raise a log building, a small lumber shanty was constructed and Mr. DeVaud began life on the farm, which has since been his home, in true pioneer style. He had an oxen team which he used in clearing the land, and with crude implements the work went slowly but steadily on, until, where once stood wild forest trees, golden harvests were garnered. The nearest market was Oshkosh, a distance of sixty miles. As he had no team at first, Mr. DeVaud was often obliged to carry supplies home on his back, and many a time he has walked several miles, carrying flour and other necessaries. The present generation hear the stories of pioneer life, but can little realize what it was to live on the very boarders of civilization, where comforts were hard to obtain, in homes situated in the midst of a wilderness which was the haunt of wild beasts, and through which the Indians often traveled.

Mr. DeVaud lived alone until 1858, when he secured as a helpmate and companion on life's journey Miss Phoebe Quimbey. He brought his bride to the little shanty, in which they lived for three years, when a log house 18 X 26 feet was built on the site of their present elegant home. Those first settlers had to cut their own roads though the forests and their farm work was done with a grub hoe, cradle and flail. As time passed Mr. DeVaud added to his original purchase until he had 600 acres; but as the country became more tickly settled he disposed of it, retaining possession only of his first tract. Of this, 100 acres are under a high state of cultivation, a work that was accomplished through his own arduous labor. He made farming his life pursuit, and has won success, though in the earlier years he encountered many hardships and met many difficulties.

Mr. and Mrs. DeVaud were the first couple married in Dupont township, their marriage occurring November 28, 1858 and their union was blessed with eight children, viz; Francis M born September 18 1859, who owns and operates a sawmill at Elmhurst, Langlade Co., Wis. (He married Miss Mary Mines at her parents home in Marion and they have two children - Luella and Leonard); George, born January 1, 1862, who died from the effects of a fall at the age of thirteen; Charles, born August 14 1866, Ida, born February 5 1871, died February 15, 1874, and Etta  born February 14, 1874, died February 14 1877, all three of whom died of diphtheria; Ada, who was educated at the Clintonville schools, and lives at home; Elton, who died in 1881, when sixteen months old; and Ina, born October 31, 1885 at home. When Mrs. DeVaud's people, the Quimbys came to Dale, that village could boast of only one house, and the now thriving city of New London contained only two houses.

Since the organization of the party, Mr. DeVaud has been a stalwart Republican, and his fellow townsmen have frequently called him to office, thus substantially recognized his worth and ability. For three years he was chairman of Dupont township, was assessor three years, and also served as side supervisor; he was postmaster at Dupont for several years, having the post office at his house for ten years., during part of which time his son also served as postmaster. During the Civil War he manifested his loyalty to the government by enlisting, on November 3, 1864, in Company C, First Wisconsin Cavalry, being mustered in at Madison, whence the regiment was sent to Louisville, Ky. After two weeks the company followed Gen, Lyon on his raid through Kentucky, with three thousand men, for some five weeks. Subsequently a week was passed in Nashville, and then the army went into winter quarters at Waterloo. In the spring he went to Alabama, and after participating in the battle at Selma, started for Montgomery, but the city surrendered before their arrival. They next captured West Point, then marched to Macon Ga., where the company to which Mr. DeVaud belonged, was detailed for the capture of Jefferson Davis. They followed three days and three nights, succeeding in the capture on the 10th of May, after which they went to Macon Ga., and four weeks later to Nashville. Mr. DeVaud was honorably discharged July 19, 1865 at Nashville, for the war was over and his services were no longer needed. While in the South he contacted disease, from which he has never recovered, and the government now gives him pension. His long residence in Waupaca county numbers him among her most honored pioneers, and her history would be incomplete without the record of his life. He is true to every trust reposed in him, whether public or private and is respected alike by young and old, rich and poor. Mr. DeVaud was reared under the influence of the Lutheran Reformed Church in Switzerland, and the family are now attendants of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Marion.

Marion Advertiser

11 May 1917

Reminiscences of Old Times - By D. A. Ramsdell

Louis DeVaud, Among the early pioneers there is but one, who has longer resided within its borders than this gentleman, who dates his residence from 1857. Mr. DeVaud was born in 1825, a native of Switzerland. In 1852 he left the East, came West, and located at Oshkosh, Wis. Here he remained until 1857 when he came to Dupont, then known as Union township. He purchased of the Government 160 acres of land in Section 26 and there erected a small lumber shanty in which he lived along until he was able to secure help to put up a log building. As he had no team, at first, was often obliged to carry flour and other necessities for miles thru the woods, on his back. Can we realize the hardships of these early settlers whose only companions were the wild beasts and the Indians, who often traveled the woods in those days.

In 1858, he married Miss Phoebe Quimby, daughter of O. A. Quimby mentioned above. Mr. and Mrs. DeVaud were the first couple married in Dupont Township, their marriage occurring Nov. 28, 1858. Nov 3rd 1864, Mr. DeVaud enlisted in Co. C 1st Wis. Cavalry. He was mustered in at Madison, and sent to Louisville, Ky. Was in the command of Gen. Lyon. Saw a good deal of hard service, in many battles and much scouting with Sherman to sea. Was honorably discharged July 19th, 1865 at Nashville, Ten. Mr. DeVaud was a man of sterling quality, honored and respected by all who knew him. Was Postmaster of Dupont for many years. A few years previous his death he gave up the care and responsibility of his beautiful farm, moved his family into the village, and purchased a fine residence on the North side, corner of Waupaca and Sherman Streets. Like many others of the Civil War Veterans, the hardships of former days told upon his rugged constitution, and we saw very little of him upon the streets. He passed to the life beyond in 1911, trusting to meet those gone before. His widow lived several years a constant sufferer from that dread disease, rheumatism and passed from earth life in 1915, to join her husband and loved ones gone before, leaving to mourn her loss, two only, of eight children, Frank M; the eldest son and Inez, the youngest daughter. Three of their children, one son and three daughters, Charles, Ettie and Ida were taken away in the Diphtheria epidemic, we had in and around this section of the county in 1877.About the same time their son, Elton passed away with scarlet fever. Ada, a promising young lady, the eldest daughter, came from the farm with them and for short time made her home in the village. She married the Rev. F. S. Jameson, and made her new home at Gay's Mills. She passed from earth life at this place May 30, 1914. Her remains were brought to Marion and buried in the family lot in the Marion Cemetery. The home is now in the possession of Inez, the only daughter.

Marion Advertiser

17 May 1908

Louis DeVaud

Louis DeVaud, died at his home in Marion, January 16th at 10 a.m. Funeral Sunday 2 pm. from M.E. church, Obituary next week.

Louis DeVaud was born Nov 15 1825 in canton of Vaud, Switzerland, his parents being French descent. Louis was educated in the common schools of his native land.

In 1852 he came to America, landing at New York. In 1857 he located on his farm in Dupont. In 1858 he married Miss Phoebe Quimby , they were the first white couple married in the township of Dupont. Eight children were born to them, of these but three survive, Frank M, Ada and Ina. Mr. DeVaud has always been a stalwart Republican, and has held numerous offices. For three years he was chairman of Dupont, assessor three years, also side supervisor. He was Postmaster at Dupont for ten years.

He enlisted in 1864 in Co C 1st Wisconsin Cavalry, and was honorably discharged July 19 1865 at Nashville Tenn. the war being over and  his services  no longer required. His long residence in Waupaca county numbers him among its most honored pioneers, always true to every trust reposed in him. H leaves a widow, one son and two daughters, the latter unmarried and at home with the mother. Services were held from the M.E. church Sunday at 2 p.m. Pallbearers, D.A. Ramsdell, M.B. Hull, W.H. McKay, L. Van Orioan, Myron Taylor and Ernest Maas. Internment in the family lot of the Marion cemetery, where his five children who preceded him are resting.

Louis DeVaud

Enlisted as Pvt 1sy Wis Cav Co C on 3 Nov 1864 at Eden, Wis

Mustered out as Pvt 1st Wis Cav Co C on 19 Jul 1865 at Nashville, TN

Time Served 8m 16d

Born 15 Nov 1825 at Canton of Vaud, Switzerland

Died 16 Jan 1908 at Marion

Buried Greenleaf Cemetery, Marion

Spouse Phoebe Quimby

Children Francis, George, Charles, Ida, Etta,  Elton, Ina and Ada

Parents Frederick & Jane DeVaud

Pension