Devendorf
|
Some of the early roads can be seen quite clearly as they are still used today. Some of the early roads are well hidden as land and rivers have been changed and manipulated, giving no clues as to what once existed.
The 1855 plat map of Vergennes Township shows three bridges on the Flat River. The southern bridge, in section 26, today’s Flat River Drive, was the Bisby Bridge. The northern bridge, in section 24, today’s Covered Bridge Road, was the Fallasburg Bridge. Between those, on a road that no longer exists was the Devendorf Bridge. Not only does the road not exist, but it also crossed the Flat River at a location that today resembles a lake more than a river, because of the large backwater of the Fallasburg Dam. Very little is known about this bridge, but there are two clues in historic records. The only known record for its existence is from May 23rd of 1859, from the Vergennes Township Minutes. “We the undersigned commissioners of the town of Vergennes having this day examined a certain bridge known as Devendorf’s Bridge. We hereby pronounce the said bridge as worthless and past repairing. Adjudged this 23rd day of May AD 1859” The other clue is that in an article describing events from 1871, it is clear that although the road is still in use, there is no bridge there. The article describes fording the river with a horse and wagon. The road is shown until after 1900, after the Fallasburg Dam was constructed, creating the large backwater. Who were the Devendorfs? J.J. (John Jefferson) and Nancy Devendorf moved to the land in 1838. J.J. was the second Clerk of Vergennes Township and also served the township as Supervisor and Assessor. The Devendorf’s two sons remained in the area. Clark and his wife Alexona lived in the village of Lowell. He was appointed Postmaster in 1864. Clark was a merchant in town as part of Devendorf & Blain and later Devendorf & Mason. In 1895 he sold his business, and the family moved to California. Unfortunately, Clark died later that year. Thomas J. Devendorf and his wife Grace lived in Fallasburg. He was a merchant and owned his store. After Thomas died at age 30, he was buried in Fox’s Corner Cemetery and his wife moved to California. Today the bridge is gone, the road is gone, and the Devendorf family is gone but for the grave markers, township minute books, and the newspaper articles that keep their memory alive for future generations. Images: Map showing the Devendorf land James Franklin Devendorf Extinct road on modern map Traces of the road can still be glimpsed on private property leading to the river Vergennes Minutes book, 1859 |
     |
