The Evans Families of Adair County, Iowa

CHARLES C. EVANS.

Charles C. Evans, a retired agriculturist and honored Civil war veteran of Adair county, has lived in Summerset township for the past half century and his present farm, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres on section 17, has been his home for about forty-seven years. His birth occurred in Evans Mills, New York, on the 29th of June, 1827, his parents being Amos and Sarah (Brown) Evans, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York. Both passed away in the Empire state. To them were born seven children, two of whom survive.

Charles C. Evans attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained at home until twenty-eight years of age. He then removed westward to Livingston county, Illinois, and there carried on farming until the time of his enlistment for service in the Union army as a member of Company K, Fiftyninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which command he remained for two years. He participated in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, and though often in the thickest of the fight, was fortunate in that he escaped even the slightest injury. He was mustered out at Nashville on the 17th of June, 1865, and then came to Adair county, Iowa, purchasing the tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Summerset township on which he has resided continuously since. He developed the raw prairie into a productive and valuable farm, erected thereon substantial and commodious buildings and planted a fine grove of maple trees some of which are now three feet in diameter. Mr. Evans taps the trees and makes an excellent quality of maple syrup. The active work of the fields, however, has been relegated to others and he is now practically spending the evening of life in well earned ease, enjoying the competence which has come through the wise and able direction of his interests in former years.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

SANDERS E. EVANS.

Sanders E. Evans, who owns and ojDerates about three hundred acres of land on section 6, Richland township, was born in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1868. His parents, William E. and Mary Ann (Williams) Evans, were natives of Wales but were brought to the United States as children by their respective parents. Both families located in Cambria, Pennsylvania, where the parents of our subject grew to mature years and where their marriage occurred. In 1870 they emigrated westward and located in Iowa City, whence, in the following year, they came to Adair county. They settled in Richland township and the father became an extensive landowner, acquiring about nine hundred and sixty acres. During the last few years of his life he resided with our subject, and he reached the advanced age of eighty-eight years.

Sanders E. Evans received his education in the district schools and upon reaching manhood became his father's partner in the operation of the latter's extensive farm. They engaged in raising high grade stock and our subject received half of the profits. When about twenty-two years old he purchased his first land and has since added to his individual holdings, which now comprise about three hundred acres of fine land. He concentrates the greater part of his time and attention upon stock-raising and has found that occupation very profitable. He understands the business thoroughly; is progressive and energetic; and manager his financial affairs well. He owns stock in the Fontanelle Lumber Company.

Mr. Evans is a republican in his political belief and fraternally is connected with Fontanelle Lodge, No. 250, I. O. O. F., and the Rebekahs. He is one of the prominent citizens of his township and has made many warm personal friends.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Clay Evans, a representative and successful agriculturist of Adair county, is the owner of a well improved farm embracing one hundred and sixty acres on section 5, Washington township. His birth occurred in Highland county, Ohio, on the 5th of July, 1872, his parents being John and Catherine (Conard) Evans, who were likewise natives of the Buckeye state. The father still makes his home in Highland county, Ohio, but the mother passed away in that state in 1899. To them were born six sons, all of whom survive.

In his youth Clay Evans attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and when eighteen years of age left the parental roof and made his way to Indiana, in that state being employed as a machinist in a furniture factory for seven years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Ohio but a year later came to Adair county, Iowa, arriving here in 1898. Later he entered the army as a private of Company H, Seventh Iowa Infantry, and was sent to the Philippines, where he served for eighteen months. After returning to this county he worked for Mr. McDermott for some years and then purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 5, Washington township, which he now owns and operates. The property is excellently improved and in connection with the production of cereals Mr. Evans makes a specialty of raising and feeding cattle and hogs finding both branches of his business remunerative.

On the loth of February 1905, Mr. Evans was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude V. Clark, a native of Kansas and a daughter of G. F. and Matilda (Dinsmoor) Clark, who were born in New Hampshire and Ohio respectively. In 1884 they came to Adair county, Iowa, and took up their above on the farm now in the possession of our subject. G. F. Clark represented his district in the Iowa legislature and for a good many years was surveyor of Adair county. In the fall of 1905 he and his wife went to North Dakota and lived there four years, after which they went to West Plains, Missouri, where they have a lovely home among the Ozark mountains. To them have been born five children, four of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Evans are the parents of two children, Mildred Irene and George K.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Evans has supported the men and measures of the democracy, believing firmly in its principles. At present he is serving as assessor of Washington township, making a creditable record in that capacity. His wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They are people of the highest respectability and their genuine personal worth has attracted to them many warm friends.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.