WI BIO - Dane Co - DE VALL, James D. & Solon
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol I, pp 153

Biography of Solon DE VALL (father of James D. DE VALL)

Solon DE VALL, of Stoughton, Dane County, WI, was born in Weathersfield, 
Windsor County, VT, 22 Jan 1823, a son of James and Eliza (GOULD) DE VALL, 
natives of Lancaster [Worcester County], MA. Solon DE VALL was given a 
district school education, and began life for himself as a farm laborer in 
VT. In 1853 he purchased 200 acres of unimproved land in Rutland Township, 
Dane County, WI, which he improved. He afterward sold this place and 
purchased another farm, three quarters of a mile nearer Stoughton, where he 
remained from 1872 until 1884. In the spring of 1885 he came to Stoughton, 
where both he and his wife still reside. Solon DE VALL was married in 1848 
to Frances M. SHOW, also a native of Weathersfield, Windsor County, VT, and 
they have three children living: James D., of Stoughton, Dane County, WI; 
Calvin, of Council Bluffs [Pottawattamie County, IA]; and Carrie, wife of A. 
E. GURMAL, of Gilmore City [Humboldt County], IA. One child died in infancy.

Biography of James D. DE VALL (son of Solon DE VALL)

James D. DEVALL, a tobacco dealer of Stoughton, Dane County, WI, was born in 
this county on 05 Feb 1854, a son of Solon and Frances M. (SHOW) DE VALL. At 
the age of 21 years he began learning the carpenter trade with Ellis 
Brothers, of Oregon, [County], WI, at which he worked for the following six 
years. For the next four years he farmed on rented land in Rutland Township, 
Dane County, WI, and in 1884 came to Stoughton, Dane County, WI, where he has 
since been engaged in the leaf tobacco trade. At one time he owned the 
warehouse across the track, at No. 15, but now does business at No. 16. 
James D. DE VALL was married on 12 Jan 1879 to Alice GURNSEY, a native of 
Dunkirk Township, Dane County, WI, and they have two children: Inas M. and 
Cora A. Politically Mr. DE VALL is identified with the Democratic party; and 
socially is a member of the Kegosa Lodge of Freemasons, also the Knights of 
Pythias.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly