The Evernham Family

Henry Evernham in A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa

The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.

HENRY EVERNHAM, Jr.

Henry Eveniham. Jr., the well-known and popular proprietor of the Commercial House, of Glen wood, Iowa, was born on the 3d of January, 1853, in Trenton, New Jer- sey, and belongs to a family of English origin that was founded in that state by three brothers. His father, Henry Eveni- ham, Sr.. was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, October 8, 181 5, a son of Henry and Rebecca (James) Evernham, also na- tives of Monmouth county, where the for- mer, a farmer by occupation, died at the age of seventy-seven years, and the latter at the age of forty. They were the parents of four children, three of whom are still liv- ing. From the age of eight years the fa- ther of our subject was reared in Mercer county. New Jersey. There he was married, June 15, 1839, to Miss Euphemia Butcher, a native of that county and a daughter of Thomas and Euphemia (Combs) Butcher, life-long residents of New Jersey, where her father died at the age of thirty-nine years, her mother at the age of fifty-five. Her maternal grandparents were Thomas and Anna (Basnette) Butcher, members of the Society of Friends. The Butcher family is of English descent, while the Basnettes were among the Huguenots who were dri\en out of France. A fortune of three million dol- lars was left to the family in that country. For some years after his marriage Henry Evernham, Sr., followed farming in IMercer county. New Jersey, and then spent se\en years in the city of Trenton, where he at first worked by the day and later engaged in teaming for five years. For a quarter of a century he has now made his home in Alills county, Iowa, and has successfully engaged

in agricultural pursuits. His home farm consists of five hundred acres which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, and his landed possessions now aggregate eight hundred acres. Enterprising, energetic and industrious, his success has been worthily achieved, and he is now one of the most substantial men of his community. Orig- inally he was an old-line Whig in politics, but since voting for John C. Fremont in 1856 has affiliated with the Republican party and has served as judge of elections and as a member of the school board. He is an earnest and consistent member of the Bap- tist church, and is highly respected by all v^dio know him. Of his five children four are still living, namely: Amos B.. who is mar- ried and has five children ; Furman. who is married and has two children; Henry, Jr., our subject ; and Ellison, who is married and has three children.

After completing his education Henry Evernham. Jr.. assisted his father in the op- eration of the home farm until twenty-two years of age, when he started out iii life for himself as an agriculturist. He bought ten horses, three cows and two pigs, and followed general farming until 1875, when he purchased the established business and dairv route of a man in Trenton, New ler- sey, paying for the same two hundred and fifty dollars. He kept sixteen milk cows and did quite a successful business for a time, but finally sold out and resumed farming.

On the 1 6th of September, 1876, Mr. Evernham was united in marriage to Miss ]Mary A. Taylor, who was born near Tren- ton, New Jersey, and was educated by a private teacher and in the schools of Borden- town, that state. Prior to her marriage she successfully engaged in teaching school for

a time. Ilcr father. Tilton C. Taylor, was also born near Trcnti>n. a son of Israel and Patience Taylor, and came to Mills C(nuity, Iowa, in 18S0. locating on a farm, where he died at tlie age of sixty-six years. By occupation he was a farmer and veterinary surgeon. Mis wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary .\. X'anderheck, was horn in Bordentown, Xow Jersey, and is still living on the old home farm in this count w She is the mother of eight children. se\'en of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Evern- ham have two children: Morence G., born in Trenton, Xew Jersey; and Kuphcmia, born in Cdenwood. Iowa.

In IcS8j. with his wife and daughter, 'Sir. Evernham remoxcd to Mills county, Iowa, where three years before he had purchased one hundred and sixty acres of wild land. Here he followed farming until 1884, when he traded his farm for the hotel property which he now owns, taking possesion of the same on the 17th of July. In 1893 '^^ built an annex, and aliout 1887 bought an- other hotel. Genial and pleasant in manner he has proved a popular host, and his hotel has become a favorite resort with the travel- ing public. The hotel, which is of brick, has sixty-two rooms, is located on the public square and is a well-appointed establish- ment in every particular. In business affairs Mr. Evernham has steadily prospered and besides his city propert}' he now owns three farms, which he rents. He has one hundred and sixty acres at Pacific Junction, while al- together they aggregate fcjur hundred and twenty-two acres. He is a wide-awake, en- ergetic business man. and generally carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.

Since casting his first presidential vote

for Rutherford 15. Hayes, Mr. Evernham has been identified with the Republican party. Before attaining his majority he took an active part in the r'.rant campaign (^f 1868, and has labored untiringly for the inter- ests of his i)arty. though he has never been a politician in the sense oi ofhce-seeking. For six years he represented the third ward in the cit}' council, and has always given his intluence and suppf)rt to all measures for the ])ublic good, lie and his family hold mem- bershi]) in the Baptist church, and his wife is especially acti\-e in all church work.

Source: A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.