Polk Co. IAGenWeb

DE VOTIE, DUANE — Was born June 30, 1819, in Oneida county; New York, where he was raised to manhood. He removed from there to Ohio about 1843, and resided in that State some nine years, the last six years in Tuscarawas county, where he lost his wife and two children. His wife's maiden name was Emily A. Scott, to whom he was married in 1842. After settling up his business he spent the greater part of the year 1853 in traveling, and in May of the year following he came to Des Moines. His first three years' residence in Polk county was spent in entering and selling land, after which he opened out a farm of 700 acres in Jasper county, remaining on the same for some six years. In 1862 he disposed of his real estate in that county and came back to Des Moines, where he has since resided. In 1877 he erected a fine brick block on the east side. Since his return to the city he has been mainly engaged in dealing in real estate, in both this and other portions of the State. In March, 1875, he was elected a member of the City Council from the Fifth ward, which position he held for two years.