John E. Evans

OHN EVANS, who is now deceased, was known throughout this portion of the United States as the proprietor of the largest blue limestone quarries in central Ohio and the manufacturer of the celebrated white lime, which was one of Marion County’s most important industries. He was truly self-made, as he began at the bottom round of the ladder of fortune and by honest effort and perseverance worked his way up to prominence and wealth. The reader must not think that his position was attained by a stroke of luck; but on the contrary it took patient devotion to business, a watchful care of every detail, and a close adherence to the principles of honesty and industry to reach the high pinnacle on which he stood at the time of his decease.

John Evans was born in Wales, September 28, 1848, and came to this country with his parents, John and Gwenllian Evans, in 1862. His father, who was also a Welshman, was born in 1815 and died in 1875. The mother of our subject, who was born in 1814, was seventy-seven.years old at the time of her decease. On landing in America they at once made their way to Ohio, and first settled in Trumbull County. In 1873, however, John Evans, Sr., came to this county and made his home on a fine tract of land in Pleasant Township. November 11 of that year our subject was married to Mary J., daughter of John and Anna Owens, who were also Welsh people. Soon after his union with Miss Owens he purchased a farm from his father-in-law, taking possession of what was known as the Barnhart Farm, which consisted of eighty acres. In company with his wife’s brothers, John and Daniel, he began burning lime in the Owens stone quarry, the three working together until 1882. That year Mr. Evans soldhis interest in the business and bought the now famous blue limestone quarries, better known as “Stone Cut.” It is located just outside the city limits, on the Columbus, Hocking Valley Toledo Railway, which makes it very convenient and desirable for shipping. It covers two hundred and fifteen acres, and produces the famous blue limestone in evenly bedded layers, ranging from six to twenty-two inches in thickness. The fame for excellence of the stone produced by Mr. Evans extended throughout this and adjoining states, while his business increased so rapidly that it soon became one of the great industries of Marion County. In quality the stone is clear, fine and strong, and is not affected by frost any more than granite or marble, and it hardens with age. The shipments in building-stone average thousands of carloads per year.

During his lifetime our subject did a large business.in shipping crushed stone for use in. macadamizing streets, his cpiarries being supplied with-machinery which could crush sixty carloads per day. The white lime which he manufactured was the best in the land. It is the only quality of white lime which is free slacking and which will work cool. Contractors, builders, architects, scientific men and chemists all pronounced the quality of this lime to be perfect. It soon became widely known, and the demand for it increased day by day, although at that time Mr. Evans was enabled to turn out twelve hundred bushels per day. He gave employment to from eighty to one hundred and twenty men, and the trade of his establishment extended all over the country.

Our subject was one of the best business men in this section, possessing those peculiar qualifications which fitted him for the large business ' which he was conducting. He was much respected by all, and always enjoyed the fullest confidence of his employes and those associated with him in every transaction.

Mr. Evans was a leading worker and Trustee in the Presbyterian Church, in the work of which he took an active part. He was a Knight of Pythias and an Odd Fellow, in both of which orders he was greatly interested. On account of failing health, he and his wife took a trip to Florida, hoping to gain renewed health; however, he was taken worse, and two weeks after returning home passed away, February 25, 1894, greatly mourned by family and friends.

To Mr. and Mrs. Evans there were born five children: John, Daniel, Thomas, David and Stella. Since his death, his wife, who is a thorough business woman and fully acquainted with all the details of his various enterprises, looks after the management of her large estate. During the World’s Fair in Chicago Mr. Evans made an exhibit of his limestone, and at its close was awarded the first prize. The impetus given to the industries of this city by the enterprise of-Mr. Evans is not unrecognized, and the general consideration with which he was regarded is the natural outgrowth of a career which embodied the highest principles of commercial integrity and personal honor. He never had the advantages of a collegiate education, but, being a close observer, during his career acquired a general business education, which made him one of the best of business men. His start in life was due entirely to his own exertions, and he therefore deserved, and was given, the greatest praise for his perseverance in the face of many obstacles.

As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio (1895). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.