Devonshire, John

Submitted by Mike Miller

John Devonshire, clerk of the circuit court of the United States, is a substantial and progressive citizen whom New Orleans, La., is proud to claim as her own. It is no doubt but natural that he should be interested in the welfare of the city, for here he was born in 1843, and here have been enacted the scenes of his useful and energetic life. His father, John Devonshire, was born in England and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Slattery, in Ireland. After their arrival in New Orleans, Mr. Devonshire was for some time connected with the United States district court of New Orleans. The subject of this sketch was educated in Now Orleans and at St. Vincent's college, after which he took upon himself the duties of a clerk, which business continued to receive his attention until he became a member of the law firm of Sullivan & --------. He was associated with this firm until he was appointed to the position of clerk of the court in 1876, and this position has held continuously ever since. He is a substantial citizen, whose views on all subjects are sound and practical, and he is the ardent friend and promoter of all public enterprises. He is an exemplary member of the fire department of the city, and his zeal and influence in everything affecting the general weal, either of the county or state have made him widely and favorably known. In local matters he is democratic in his political views but on national matters he is a republican. He was married in his native city to Miss Mary Robera and two children have been born to them-Isabella and Edward Polk Billing.

Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, (vol. 1), p. 379. Published by the Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, 1892.