Extract from the 1850 Census:
Name: Devolson Pettis
Age in 1850: 18
Estimated birth year: 1832
Birthplace: New York
Race: white
Gender: male
Relation to head-of-house: son
Home in 1850: Smyrna, Chenango, New York
Occupation: farmer
Sibling living at home: Wilford (age 26)
Census place: Smyrna, Chenango, New York; Roll: M432_487; Page: 20; Image: 44
Date: 22 Jul 1850

Extract from the 1860 Census:
Name: D Pettis
Age in 1860: 30
Estimated birth year: 1830
Birthplace: New York
Race: white
Sex: male
Relation to head-of-house: head
Home in 1860: Fountain Prairie, Columbia, Wisconsin
Post office: Leeds
Value of real estate: not listed
Value of personal property: not listed
Occupation: farmer
Census place: Fountain Prairie, Columbia, Wisconsin; Roll M653_1401; Page: 286; Image: 293; Family History Library Film: 805401
Date: 4 Aug 1860

Extract from American Civil War Soldiers:
Name: Devolson Pettis
Residence: Elba, Wisconsin
Enlistment date: 29 Aug 1864
Distinguished service: distinguished service
Side served: Union
State served: Wisconsin
Unit numbers: 3059 3059
Service record: enlisted as a private on 29 Aug 1864
Enlisted in Company M, 1st Heavy Artillery Regiment Wisconsin on 29 Aug 1864
Mustered out Company M, 1st Heavy Artillery Regiment Wisconsin on 26 Jun 1865
Note: he and his brother Albert M Pettis enlisted on the same date, served in the same unit, and mustered out on the same date.

Extract from the 1870 Census:
Name: Devolson Pettis
Age in 1870: 42
Estimated birth year: 1828
Birthplace: New York
Race: white
Gender: male
Relation to head-of-house: head
Home in 1870: Garden Valley, Jackson, Wisconsin
Post office: North Branch
Value of real estate: $600
Occupation: farmer
Census place: Garden Valley, Jackson, Wisconsin; Roll: M593_1718; Page: 354; Image: 709
Date: 12 Jul 1870

Extract from the 1880 Census:
Name: Devolson Pettis
Age: 50
Estimated birth year: 1830
Birthplace: New York
Race: white
Sex: male
Relationship to head-of-household: head
Home in 1880: Fairchild, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Marital status: married
Marital status: single
Father's birthplace: Rhode Island
Mother's birthplace: not listed
Occupation: farmer
Census place: Fairchild, Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Roll: T9_1425; Family History Film: 1255425; Page: 525.2000; Enumeration District: 139
Date: 18 Jun 1880

Extract from the 1900 Census:
Name: Devolson Pettis
Age at last birthday: 69
Date of birth: Aug 1830
Birthplace: New York
Race: white
Sex: male
Relationship to head-of-house: head
Home in 1900: Fairchild, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Marital status: married
Number of years of marriage: 39
Able to read, write and speak English: yes
Father's birthplace: Rhode Island
Mother's birthplace: Rhode Island
Farm or home: farm
Home owned or rented: owned
Mortgage: no
Occupation: farmer
Months not employed: 0
Census place: Fairchild, Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Roll: T623 1788; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 33
Date: 14 Jun 1900

Extract from the 1910 Census:
Name: Devolson Pettis
Age in 1910: 78
Estimated birth year: 1832
Birthplace: New York
Race: white
Sex: male
Home in 1910: Fairchild, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Marital status: married
Number of years of present marriage: 50 (first marriage)
Able to speak English: yes
Able to read and write: yes
Father's birthplace: Vermont
Mother's birthplace: New York
Farm or house: house
Home owned or rented: owned; no mortgage
Occupation: own income
Census place: Fairchild, Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Roll: T624_1710; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 59; Image: 526
Date: 15 Apr 1910

Obituary:
Devolson Pettis Dies
Devolson Pettis died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. George Schufer in Cleveland, Jan. 2, 1915, at the age of 84 years, 4 months and 16 days. The cause of his death being a stroke of paralysis on Nov. 22.
He was born on August 17, 1836 [sic], at Smyrna, Shenango County, New York. There he resided until 1858, when he came to Otsego, Columbia county, Wisconsin, there he was married to Mrs. Maria Reed on Dec. 31st, 1859. In 1869 they came to the township of Fairchild and resided until 1902, at that time retired from active labor and moved to the village of Fairchild. About three years ago, he and his wife moved to the home of their daughter. He was a veteran of the Civil war, served in Battery M. 5th Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, served until the close of the war at that time receiving an honorable discharge.
He leaves to mourn two daughters, Mrs. Schufer of Cleveland; Mrs. Blaine of Menomonie; one step-daughter, Mrs. Payson of Kansas, and a step son, Ira Reed of Cleveland. His wife preceded him in death last April. He was a loving father, kind husband and a friend to little children.
The funeral was held at the M. E. Church Rev. Prucia officiating. The pall bearers were his six nephews, Lewis, Alva, Walter, Edward, Chas. W. and C. W. Pettis. Interment was made in the village cemetery.

Obituary from the "Leader" of Eau Claire, Wisconsin dated
7 Jan 1915:
Devalson Pettis Dead.
Devalson Pettis [sic] died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Geo. Shofer [sic] in the town of Cleveland, Jan. 2, 1915, at the. age of 84 years, 4 months and 16 days. Death caused by paralysis. He was born at Shenango County, New York. There he resided until 1858 when he came to Otsego, Columbia Co., Wisconsin. There he married Mrs. Maria Reed December 31st, 1859. In 1869 they came to the town of Fairchild. Here they resided until 1902. Then retired from active labor, and moved to the village of Fairchild. About three years ago, owing to ill health they moved to tne home of their daughter. He was a veteran of the Cicil War, a member of Battery M, 5th Wisconsin Heavy Artillery; served until the close of the war and received an honorable discharge. He leaves to mourn two daughters, Mrs. Shofer of Cleveland, Mrs. Blaine of Menomonie, a step-daughter, Mrs. Fayson of Kansas. A step-son Ira Reed of Cleveland. He was a kind husband and father. A friend of little children. The funeral was held from the M. E. church, Rev. Prucia officiating. The pall bearers were his nepnews Lewis, Chas. Edward, Alva, Walter and C. W. Pettis. Interment was made in the village cemetery.
He loved his home; his native land.
Was very proud to join the band
Of gallant soldiers; brave and true
To ever uphold red, white and blue.
The stars and stripes meant much to all
Who responded to their country's call.
They gave their love, their joys, their lives,
They won the day, their country thrives.
No words of ours can justly praise
The noble deeds of former days.
There's naught so dear as silver hair
And withered brows, now free from care.
Or fellow comrades, loved and few
That yet uphold the standard true.
Ready to give "attention" still,
When ever it be the "captain's" will.

He married Zipporah Maria Curtis 31 Dec 1859 in Lowville, Columbia, Wisconsin.