In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1894) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1819
From Butterfield, C. W. - The History Of Waukesha County, Wisconsin (WHC, 1880) (1880), Portrait and biographical record of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, containing biographical sketches of old settlers and representative citizens of the county (1894)
JOHN EVANS, farmer, See. 12; P. O. Greenfield, Milwaukee Co., Wis.; born in the town of New Lisbon, Otsego Co., N. Y., July 6, 1819; the first nineteen years of his life were spent here, he attending the common schools, and learning the trade of shoemaker, which he followed about six years in Alabama, Genesee Co., N. Y. Married in Alabama, Miss Lucy L. Peckham, a native of Norwich, Conn., born in 1822, and removed with her parents to Genesee Co., in 1824. In 1844, Mr, E. made his first visit to Wisconsin, stopping for a time with his brother Sidney, the first settler in New Berlin, visited Racine and Walworth Counties, returned, and in May, 1846, came again and bought out his brother Sidney, who claimed and settled on it late in May, 1836; built-the first log-house, by a “ pale-face,” within the boundaries of what was then the town of Mentor, now New Berlin; it was twelve feet square, and stood about twenty-five feet east of Mr. Evans’ brick residence; his claim shanty, previously rolled up, was on the site of George Long’s house. Sidney Eyans, was born in Pownell, Vt., and came to Waukesha Co, from White Pigeon, Mich.; his first framed house was burned, and the one replacing it, and sold to John Evans, was side with lumber brought from Chatauqua Co., N. Y. The 80-acre farm of John Eyans, once a forest, was for many years, in early times, assessed higher than any other farm in the town, as more clearing and better buildings were to be found upon it. Mr. E., a true Democrat, was first elected Assessor in 1847, served six or eight years, and a number of years as Supervisor; he was elected Chairman in 185— (see County Records in General History), served through the war, doing much to secure New Berlin's splendid war record, and has been a member of the County Board longer than any other resident of the county; he was Chairman f the County Board in 1878-79, and his official record is above reproach. Mr, and Mrs. Evans have four living children—Philena A., born in Alabama, N, Y.; Mrs., Alonzo L., Alva BE. and Elbert J., all born on the New Berlin homestead. During the past twenty years Mr, E. has been a member of the M. HE. Church, his wife, formerly a Baptist, joining him in 1868, Mr. E, takes a lively interest in all relating to early times, and was the leading spirit, with A. E. Gilbert, in collecting the data, for the township history, in 1871.
As printed in Butterfield, C. W. - The History Of Waukesha County, Wisconsin (WHC, 1880) (1880). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
JOHN EVANS, a well known retired farmer, residing in Waukesha, is one of the pioneers of the town of New Berlin, Waukesha County, in May, 1816. He h.as been actively and prominently identified with the interests of his town and county for almost a half century. He has occupied a conspicuous place in public affairs, having been a member of the County Board as many years as any other citizen in the county. Mr. Kvans was born in the town of New Lisbon, Otsego County N. Y., July 6, 1819, and is a son of John and.Mary (.Martin) Kvans. His father was born in Bennington, \t.. and was a son of Barnabas and Elizabeth (Phillips) Evans, the latter having been a native of Boston. Barnabas Evans served for seven years as a soldier of the Revk.)lutionary War. His wife was present gt the great
Boston Tea Party of Colonial days, and drove the baggage wagon out of Boston for General Lee. She lived to the aklvanced iige of ninety-three years.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
Mr. and Mrs. Evans were blessed with four children, named in order of their birth as follows: Philena A. is the wife of Milton.Johnson, President (if a hank in Decatur, In. The second, Alonzo JjCe, was twice married; his first wife was Libbie Albright. After the death of his wife he married Cora Hepp, their home being in Denver, Colo. Alva E. is the publisher of the Faulkton Republtcan Eecord, of Faulkton, S. Dak. The third son, Elbert, J., married Miss Ella M. Lyness and resides in Waukesha.
Mr. Evans first came to Wisconsin in 1844, on a visit to his brother, Sidney, who had settled in what is now the town of New Berlin, Waukesha County, then a part of Milwaukee County, in 1836. Sidney Evans built the first white man's habitation in that town, which was erected near where Mr. Evans subse(quently built his brick residence. The former was born in Pownal, Yt., and came to what is now AVaukesha County from White Pigeon, Mich. His first frame house was burned, and the second one, which was sold to his brother John, was side with lumber brought from Chautauqua County, N. Y. After visiting a short time with his brother and making a tour of Racine and AValworth Counties, Mr. Evans returned to his home in the east. In May, 1846, he brought his family to Wisconsin, and settled in the town of New Berlin, buying his brother Sydney's farm of eighty acres, which he improved to a high degree. On this farm Mr. Evans erected one of the finest houses to be found at that time ill New Berlin Township.
In politics our subject is a Democrat, and at an early day took a prominent ])art in town and county )ul)lic affairs. He was first elected Assessor in 1848, in which capacity he served six or eight years; was Supervisor a number of years, and was elected Chairman in 1854; he served through the war, doing much to secure New Berlin's splendid war record, and as stated above, has been a member of the County Board as long as any other resident of the county. He was Chairman of that bod_y in 1878 and 1879, his official record being above reproach.
Since 1860 Mr. Evans has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, his wife, formerly a Baptist, joining liiin in 1868. He takes a lively interest in all that relates to pioneer days, and was the leading spirit, with A. E. Gilbert, in collecting the data for the township history in 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have reached a good old age and are held in the highest esteem by all who know them. From a wilderness with but few homes and improvements, they have witnessed the transformation that has made of this county one of the finest to be found in the state.
As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, containing biographical sketches of old settlers and representative citizens of the county (1894). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: A. E. Gilbert (b. 1798)
The printed record stops around 1880. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.