USGenWeb - Clackamas County, Oregon


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DEVINE, Robert J.
August 7, 1909; Oregonian; p 12
"Fall Downstairs Injures"

Robert Devine, an elderly man living at Eagle Creek, Or., was the victim of a painful accident yesterday morning at 11 o'clock
at the Louvre restaurant and is now confined in St. Vincent's Hospital. Mr. Devine was going down the stairway to the
rathskeller when he accidentally lost his footing, stumbled and fell headlong to the bottom of the flight. He sustained severe
wounds and contusions about the head. Friends called an automobile and hurried him to the hospital.

November 6, 1921; Oregonian; Sec. 1, p 17
"R. J. Devine, 94, Is Dead"

Robert J. Devine, old-time resident of Clackamas county, died this morning at Oregon City hospital at the age of 94 years.
Death was due to old age.

Mr. Devine was a native of Ireland. He came to the United States 70 years ago. He had for the last 56 years lived in the
Eagle creek country, Clackamas county, where his wife died a number of years ago. Since that time he has made his home with J.
A. Burnett, old-time friend of the family.

The body is at the Edward Brady funeral parlors in this city. Funeral services will be held at the Eagle Creek church.
Interment will be in Eagle Creek cemetery.

November 20, 1921; Oregonian; Sec. 3, p 11 (photo)
"Robert J. Devine is Buried; Tribute to Friends Penned"

Robert J. Devine, who died in the hospital at Oregon City November 5, was born in Ireland March, 1827. At an early age he
took to the seas and after awhile he landed in America. He spoke little of his youthful roamings and his best friend in Oregon
knew little of him until Devine appeared in Clackamas county, Oregon in 1858.

Mr. Devine was engaged in business first with Fred Severs in keeping a trading post at the east end of the Back-bone, north of
the Sandy river, on the old Barlow road leading across the Cascades south of Mount Hood. The post was known as the 'Mountain
house.' He acted as one of the clerks of election at what was then Young's precinct in eastern Clackamas county in the fall of
1860 when Abraham Lincoln was elected president of the United States.

Mr. Devine had unusual ability as a leader and extemporaneous speaker. Early in life he taught school in 1861-2, near what is
now Currinsville station, in eastern Clackamas county.

In the spring of 1862 he went to Florence, Idaho, and was in the mines until 1874 when he again turned to Oregon. He was
located at Molalla from 1875 until 1889 when he married Mrs. Mattie Githens and moved to Eagle Creek, Clackamas county, where
they lived until Mrs. Devine died in 1904.

The latter part of Mr. Devine's life was spent at Eagle Creek in what he termed "The Hermitage."

Mr. Devine was buried beside the body of his wife in the Foster cemetery, on the hill overlooking Eagle Creek. A short and
beautiful service, ----- a mound of rare flowers, took place at the grave. A part of the service was from his own pen and was a
tribute to his friends as follows:

Obsequie

Now theses few lines I write to tell
The friends with whom I loved to dwell,
In leaving them at this late day,
My work is done. Why need I stay?

Believing in the first great cause,
That made and ordered Nature's laws,
I ask that those now standing by
Would drop no tear, nor breathe a sigh.

For I am gone, as all must go,
And bid surcease to weal and woe.
That second life, of which we dream,
Cannot be known, until it's seen.

Now, farewell, all, and neighbors dear,
If I were conscious thus I'd cheer.
Each sorrowed heart, when loved ones sleep,
The sleep that lasts both long and deep.

Be just and fear not. 'Tis the best,
The only way for those that's blessed.
With courage, health and faith sublime,
We fear not death. May this be mine.

Robert J. Devine

God and the sour are unknowable.