My Great Uncle, Devan Creal
1882
My great uncle, Devan Creal, was born on December 24, 1882, in Smith County, Mississippi, to Amanda and Henry Creal/Creel. Amanda was 25 years old, and Henry was 39 years old.
I would love it if you read “The Life Story Of My Great-Grandparents, Henry & Amanda Creal/Creel” and visit the Creal/Creel Family Website for Creal/Creel history.
1893 – 1900
Jones County, Mississippi, was home to my great uncle Devan and his parents and siblings. Devan’s parents worked hard to make significant improvements to their 160 acres of land before 1890.
However, something happened between January 10, 1893, and June 10, 1900, that changed their lives forever.
Devan’s parents were forced to leave their home for reasons that are still unknown, and no one knows what year they left.
At the time, Devan was between the ages of 11 and 18 years old. According to the 1900 Census, on June 4, 1900, the family was living in Noxubee County, Mississippi.
Surprisingly, neither Devan nor his younger brother Barney were on the list of people who lived there.
It’s believed that Devan was around 18 years old at that time. According to the family, the story passed down through the generations is that
“Devan’s violent attack by a white man while he was at work may have served as the impetus for the family’s departure from Jones County.”
Devan’s courageous response angered the locals and prompted the entire household to flee their land for their safety, leaving behind their extended family and everything they owned.
Other family members believe that the white community’s jealousy or anger at the family’s progress and improvements on their land may have been a factor in why they left. By 1884 these are the improvements Devan’s family had made:
- Cleared 25 of the 160 acres and built:
- A dwelling house with a kitchen.
- A smokehouse
- A crib
- Two stables
- Planted six crops.
Despite diligent research, our family is still searching for answers to unravel the intriguing history of the Creal/Creel family and shed light on the circumstances surrounding their sudden departure from Jones County.
1900 – 1904: Devan marries Emma Goodrum
My great uncle Devan Creal married Emma Goodrum between 1900 and 1903 in Rayville, Louisiana. This assumption is supported by the birthday of Devan’s first child.
1904
In Rayville, Louisiana, on November 27, 1904, Devan and Emma welcomed their first child, a son. They settled on the name Huey for him.
1904 – 1910
After Devan’s wife, Emma, passed, he moved to Tilar, Drew County, Arkansas. Huey, his son, was about ten years old.
1915: Devan marries Willie Mae Daniels
Devan Creal married Willie Mae Daniels in 1915 in Arkansas. This assumption is based on the birthday of Devan’s second child.
1916
Tillar, Arkansas, welcomed Mary Creal on September 22, 1916. Devan, her father, was 33 when she was born, and Willie Mae, her mother, was 28.
1918
Devan’s World War I Registration Card:
Devan signed up for World War I on September 12, 1918, in Monticello, Arkansas, which is in Drew County. On his registration card, the following is stated:
- He lived in the city of Tillar, Drew County, Arkansas.
- His closest relative was his wife, Willie Mae.
- He worked for J. D. Davis as a farmer.
- He was 35 years old and born on December 24, 1882.
- He was tall, had a dark complexion, and had brown eyes and black hair.
1920
According to the 1920 Census, Devan and Willie Mae were renting a house in the city of Jefferson, Desha County, Arkansas. My great uncle, Devan was 37 years old, and Willie Mae was 32 years old.
They had two children, a son, and a daughter. See below:
- Huey Creel (15)
- Mary Creel (3)
1923
Henry, Devan’s father, passed away in Pennington, Bradley County, Arkansas, on November 5, 1923.
1924
On February 9, 1924, approximately three months later, his mother, Amanda, also passed away in Pennington, Bradley County, Arkansas.
1924 – 1927
Devan moved his family to Kansas before 1927, but the exact year is unknown. He had a friend who lived in Kansas.
1940
Devan was one of eleven siblings, but by 1940, he had lost five of them: Burt, Martha Ann, Mary Annice, Sylvester, and Louella.
Despite the fact that they lived in different states, Devan and his three remaining siblings—Donie, Henry, and Lessie—kept up a strong bond with one another.
Henry resided in Portland, Oregon. Donie lived in Davenport, Idaho, and Lessie made her home in Canton, Ohio.
According to the 1940 Census:
- Devan and Willie Mae owned their home at 2600 Sloan Street in the city of Quindaro, Wyandotte County, Kansas.
- The rental value of their home was valued at $700.00 per month.
- Devan was working as a laborer at the time.
- Devan was 57 years old, and Willie Mae was 42 years old.
- Mary, their 23-year-old daughter, was living in the household as well.
1942
Devan’s World War II Draft Card:
On September 12, 1918, in the city of Monticello, Drew County, Arkansas, Devan registered for World War I. His registration card states the following:
- He lived at 2809 Sloan Street, Kansas City, Kansas.
- His closest relative was his son, Huey Creal.
- Occupation: Chushal Harding Real Estate.
- He was 59 years old and born on December 24, 1882.
- He was tall, had a dark complexion, and had brown eyes and black hair.
1950
According to the 1950 Census:
- Devan and Willie Mae lived on 27 Street in the city of Quindaro, Wyandotte County, Kansas.
- Willie Mae worked in the laundry industry, while Devan was a construction laborer.
- Devan was 67 years old, and Willie Mae was 54 years old.
- Mary Creal Todd was 33 years old. Mary and her children were residing in the household. Her children:
- G. John Todd (6)
- R. James Todd (2)
- V. Joseph Todd (1)
1959
Sadly, in 1959, my great uncle Devan Creal passed away from lung cancer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the life story of my great uncle Devan Creal, a brave and courageous man, is a fascinating and intriguing one.
Devan’s life was marked by tragedy, including being forced to flee his land, the loss of his wife, Emma, and a difficult past marked by violence and racial tensions.
However, he also experienced joy, such as marrying his second wife, Willie Mae, and the birth of his children and grandchildren.
He was a man of honor who loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, and he also loved gardening, and he was meticulous.
Not only did he pave the way for family members to leave the south, but he also shared his home.
Despite the mystery surrounding his family’s past and their departure from Smith County, Mississippi, Devan’s legacy lives on through his descendants, who will continue to honor his memory.
Creal/Creel Family Book Coming Soon
Stay tuned for “The Creal Story,” a book that is based on the lives of Henry, his wife, and their 11 children. Also, check out the Creal Family Website for more history.
Are you a descendant of Devan Creel? Are you my Cousin? Do you have more information about this story? Please leave a comment.
