No history of Riverside purporting to record her growth and prosperity can lay claim to real value and interest that does not award the merit to her mercantile enterprises, and the men who have conducted them. Most prominent in this record would be the names of Boyd & DeVine, commission merchants and jobbers, whose establishment is located on the corner of Eighth Street and Pachappa Avenue. This is one of the most important wholesale and commission houses in the city, dealing extensively in groceries, grain, honey, etc. They are also large fruit and raisin packers, placing their products on the markets under the celebrated “Sunbeam” brand. Their packing business was first established by the German Fruit Company, who sold out their interest to Boyd & DeVine in May 1887.
The few brief facts gathered regarding Mr. DeVine’s career previous to locating in Riverside are of interest. He was born and reared in Rochester, New York, dating his birth in 1848, had the advantages of a good schooling, and graduated at the high school of that city with honor. He then entered into mercantile life as a clerk and bookkeeper, in the well-known establishment of Burke, FitzSimons, Hone & Co., of his native city. In 1870 he went to New York City, and for the next twelve years was engaged in mercantile pursuits, holding responsible positions in some of the largest business houses in the city. He was for many years connected with the firm of Wright, Bliss & Falyan. In 1882 Mr. DeVine came to Southern California and located at Los Angeles, and there associated himself with the German Fruit Company, and was a director of that company. In 1885 he established a branch office in Riverside, and controlled its affairs as general manager. He was successful, and established a good business, which he conducted until 1887. In that year he formed a partnership with John Boyd, a well-known pioneer citizen of Riverside, and under the firm name of Boyd & DeVine established his present business. Mr. DeVine has been the active member of the firm, and the manager of the business. The success that has been attained by the firm is in no small degree attributable to his keen foresight. Mr. DeVine promptly identified himself with Riverside and her people, and is liberal in the support of her public institutions and enterprises. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and has taken an active part in establishing that church in Riverside. In political matters he is a Democrat, not an office-seeker, but always ready to work for his party and principles. He is a member of the Democratic county central committee, and has been a delegate in many of the conventions.
Mr. DeVine is residing with his family on Twelfth Street, where he has one of the most pleasant homes in the city. He has been twice married, first wedding in 1876, Miss Annie Moran, a native of Savannah, Georgia. She died in 1877, leaving one child, Annie. His second marriage was in 1887, when he was united with Miss Vinie Collier, a native of Paterson, New Jersey.