The Evans Families of Des Moines County, Iowa

JOSEPH H. EVANS, a farmer of Des Moines I County, residing on section 1 1, Union Town- 1 ship, was born Feb. 8, 1820, in Frederick <)j County, Va., and is a son of William and Nancy A. Evans) Evans, who, though of the same name, were not related. In 1818 the parents emigrated from their native country, Wales, to America, locating near White Hall, Frederick Co., Va., and for the first five years William Evans engaged in carpentering, but then leased a small farm. This worthy couple were the parents of nine children: Hannah, who wedded I'eter McBride, died in Fountain County, Ind.,and the husband is also deceased; Evan, whose sketch appears on another page of this work; Jane, wiio became the wife of Isaac Patton, died in Fountain County, Ind.; Morgan, who died in Burlington, Iowa, in 184.5; Mary became the wife of a Mr. McLiester; David died on the voyage U> this country of small-pox. The above mentioned children were all born in AVales. Our subject was next in order of birth;.John P.. born in Frederick County, Va., deil in Summit, Miss., in 1884, leaving a wife and five children; and William, whose death occurred instantly from a limb falling from a tree. The family left Frederick County, Va., going to Montgomery- County, Ohio, where William Evans was engaged at the carpenter's trade, and in 1831 he removed to Fountain County, lud., where he settled upon a claim of eighty acres. He subsequently added to this land until he had 193.acres at the time of his death, which occurred in Febru-

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The education of our subject was received in Virginia. Ohio and Indiana, and in early life he learned the carpenter's trade, doing all general work, and when but a lad, was able to make splendid window sashes, which occupation he followed for a short time only. At the age of twenty-two he came to Burlington, Iowa, where he worked at his trade for two years, but his father coming to the city, and finding him sick with chills, took him home to Fountain County. Ind., where he remained until June, 1846. when he enlisted in the Mexican War, becoming a member of the ist Indiana Volunteers. Under Gen. Taylor, they went to Point Isabel, from there to the mouth of the Rio Grande, where Mr. Evans saw Gen. Scott, and to Matanioras. returning home in February, 1847. On the oth of August, of that year, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Corse, and in the spring of 1848, the young couple come to Des Moines County, taking up their residence upon a farm in Union Township. By this union two children were born: John AV., a farmer near Livingston, Mont.; Frank R. died at the age of ten years and seven months. In 1850 Mr. Evans made a trip to California, remaining until Februaiy. 1 85o, there engaging in mining, in which he was quite successful. Returning home he purchased 278 acres of land in Union Township, now owned by Conrad Lee, for which he paid 7,000, and two years later sold it for $1 1,000; and in the spring of 1850 he entered into partnership with his brother in the lumber business, continuing in that business until 1861, when he sold out and rented a farm in Flint River Township, of 140 acres, which he afterward purchased.

In 1871, Mrs. Evans was called to her fin.il rest. She was a devoted member of the Baptist Church and a most estimable lady. Our subject was again united in marriage, Mrs. Sarah J. Delashmutt, widow of W. W. Delashmutt, becoming his wife. She is a daughter of B. S. Gregg, and by her first marriage had seven children, four of whom are yet living: Emma, wife of A. G. Pearson of Sacramento County, Cal.; Ellen F., who is a graduate of the high school of Burlington; Harry G., a resident of New York City and William, a photographer of Colorado. One child was born to this second union of Mr. and Mrs. Evans: Benjamin G. Until 1880, Mr. Evans remained upon the farm in Flint River Township, but at that time they became residents of Union Township, residing on section 11, where they have a finely cultivated farm, though eighty acres of land in Flint River Township is still in his possession. This worthy couple are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. Evans in early life was a Democrat, but on the formation of the Republican party, he gave his adherence to its principles, of which he has since been an active supporter. He voted for the representatives who framed the Constitution of the State of Iowa. He takes an active interest in everything for the advancement of the county, and as a citizen Mr. Evans stands in the front rank.

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

THOMAS T. EVANS.

the pages of the pioneer history of Des Moines county appears the name of Thomas T. K\ans. who assisted materially ill the early development of this harl of the.State, and aided in reclaiming the wild land for the pur])oses of civilization. native of Wales, he was born about iScK), and ac(tired his education in the public schools of that land. He afterward learned the weaver's trade, becoming an expert in that department of labor. He wove in all colors and designs, and because of his superior ability was able to command good )positions. He was married in his native country to.Miss.Mary.Morris, who was al.so born in the little rock-ribbed land of Wales, her natal year being 1804.

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It was in May, 1845, that Mr. Evans arrived in this State. He purchased forty acres of land, and later he entered one hundred and sixty acres from the government, through the medium of a Mexican land warrant which had been granted to a soldier of the Mexican war in recognition of his service, the soldier selling the same to Mr. Evans. In this way the latter became owner of a quarter section in Washington township, about a half mile west of the boundary line of Yellow Springs township. His son, "Moses, also bought eighty acres in the same neighborhood, but in the spring of 1850 he went to California, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific Coast. Later he returned to his farm, bringing with him about two thousand dollar which he had made in the mines of the West. He died in Des Moines county in 1854, leaving his property to his father, and this was the family homestead until the death of the parents.

Mr. Evans was an enterprising agriculturist, placing his land under a high state of cultivation, and living a busy, useful, and active life. He died in 1855, and within a week his wife and two daughters passed away, Catherine Sophia being then si.teen years of age, while Mary.Augusta was fourteen years old. John Jones, an old-time friend of Mr. Evans who had lost his wife in Des Moines county and afterward resided in different places, contracted the cholera, and Mr. Evans, out of the kindness of his heart, went to nurse him during that illness. He then returned home, bringing with him the dreaded disease, and he and his wife and daughters all succumbed to it. There was only one other death from cholera in the locality, a girl by the name of Wirgin.

Mr. and Mrs. Evans were the parents of ten children: Elizabeth, a resident of Portland, Ore., is now the widow of William P. Jones, who died in 1896; Moses, died when twenty-four years of age; Henry; Ann, married Frederick Gowdy, of this county, and died in 1878; James Grimes, died at Salenas, Cal., in July, ikp3; Catherine Sophia, died of cholera; Mary Augusta, whose death was occasioned by the same disease; Joseph, died in Des Moines county in July, 1867, at the age of twenty-two years; Jane, died in San Francisco, Cal., in 1903, being survived by her husband, Andrew (hartley, a former resident of Burlington, Iowa; and Thomas Charles, living in Winona county, Iowa.

Henry Evans, to whom we are indebted for the history of Thomas T. Evans and his family, was born April 8, 1832, in Wales, and was therefore only- about a year old when his parents came to America. He pursued his education in the schools of Ohio and of Des Moines comity, Iowa, and for a time was a student in the public schools of Burlington. In 1853 he went to California, sailing from New York on the steamer "Star of the West," by way of Nicaragua, and was engaged in mining there when he received the sad news of the death of his father, mother, and two sisters. It was accompanied by an appeal for him to return home, which ho <lid hy way of Tanaina. for he was left the eldest of the family, ami naturally the obligation of larinj: for the younger members fell upon him. lie therefore returned to Iowa, anil took charge of the old home place, and of his younger brothers and sisters. He continued the management and operation of the home farm, there residing for six years.

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Mr. and Mrs. Evans's children were: Margaret Ann. who tlie in i8<:.Vustin J.; Will II.;.Merrett: Augnsta: Laura, wife of W..Miller; P.bertha. <lied at the age of five years; and one that died in infancy. The family have all attended the Iowa Wesleyan Cniversity and are Melhoilists.

Mr. Evans was elected township trustee on three different occasions on the Republican ticket, and he has always been a stanch advocate of the principles of the party. Almost his entire life has been passed in this county, where he located when a lad of twelve years, and he has therefore witnessed the many changes that have occurred here as the locality has put off the evidences of frontier life and taken on all the improvements of a modern civilization. His business aflTairs were capable managed, and his close application, frugality, strong purpose, and laudable ambition enabled him, as the years passed by. to add annually to his income. He is now one of the extensive land owners of the county, ami leaving the care of his farms to others, he is now enjoying a well-earned rest.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

MERRETT THOMAS EVANS.

One of the most prominent and progressive of the younger farmers of Des Moines county is Merrett T. ICvans, now living in Washington township. L'pon the farm where he yet resides he was born Jan. 16, 1876. his parents being Henry and Catherine (Williams) Evans, who are living retired in.Mount Pleasant. The family was established here in pioneer times by the grandfather. Thomas T. Evans, a native of Wales.

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Sept. 14, 1897, Mr. Evans was married to Miss Florence Bowman, a daughter of Henry I'woman, and they now have four children: Henry, born Aug. 10, 1898; Dorothy, born Feb. 9, 1900; Tom, born July 12, 1902; and Mary Frances, born Aug. 25, 1904.

Mr. Evans, as the result of his study and consideration of the political issues and questions of the country, has given his support to the Republican party. He belongs to the Alpha Beta society, a Greek letter fraternity with which he became connected while attending college at Mount Pleasant. He also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, and is now serving on its official board. He is a young man of strong purpose, laudable ambition, and determined will, qualities which are always essential in a successful business career, and in the control of extensive farming and stock-raising interests he displays excellent business ability and executive force.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

VAN F. EVANS, contractor and builder of Burlington, Iowa, was born in Montgomery- /ll=/ shire, Wales. Sept. 12,1837. His parents are Evan and Mary (Brees) Evans, both of whom are also natives of AVales. They are still residing in that country, and three other members of the family are yet living: John, residing in Liverpool, England; Jane and Elizabeth, both residents of their native country-. Mr. Evans, Sr, is a carpenter by trade, and as soon as our subject was large enough to handle the tools, he was set to work to learn the business, and, having talent in that direction, in a little time became a first-class workman. Growing to manhood, in 1866 he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Richards, and two j'ears later the young couple emigrated to America, locating in Iowa, where the husband soon found employ- ment. In 1873, he took up his residence in Burlington, working as a journeyman for a few years, and then commenced contracting, erecting some of the substantial buildings of the city, among which are the Presbyterian Church, the Postoffice Building, together with the residences of Messrs. Crittenden, McArthur and R. M. Green.

Mr. and Mrs. Evans are the parents of five living children — Daniel R., Thomas W., Nellie, May and Frances. They arc people highly respected in the community where they reside, and are members of the Congregational Church. Politically, Mr. Evans is a Republican.

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