John W. Evans

As printed in 1885

JOHN W. EVANS, druggist and bookseller, Delphos, one of the most worthy and enterprising men of the city, was born May 21, 1847, among the mines in Jackson County, Ohio; son of William and Jane (Evans) Evans, natives of Aberystwyth, Wales, and who came early to America. They had seven children: two died early in life; D. W., a farmer and stock-dealer in Venedocia, Ohio; Jane, wife of D. E. Evans, a merchant in Yenedocia, Ohio; John W.; William, farming in Van Wert County, Ohio; and Thomas, who died aged twenty-three years. The father was killed while at work at Cambria Furnace, in Jackson County, Ohio, the subject of this sketch being then but seven years of age. The mother was afterward married to Isaac Jones, of Jackson County, Ohio, where she died. Mr. Evans received the chief part of his education by the time he reached his twelfth year, attending but two terms afterward, as at that age he was engaged in hauling ore, iron, coal etc., at the mines and furnaces. Upon starting out for himself at sixteen years of age he received SI 3 from his stepfather, and this he was compelled to use for necessary clothing and traveling expenses to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he arrived penniless. He secured work, however, on gun boats which were being built at that place, and here, by industry and application, he soon commanded the confidence of his employers and the highest praise for his labor. He first came to Van Wert County, Ohio, in the fall of 1863, and returned to Jackson County, where he worked until the following fall, when he again came to Van Wert County, and taught school during the winters, continuing his work at the same time. In the fall of 1807 Mr. Evans was married, and then engaged in farming and teaching for seven years. He next became a partner in the drug and book firm of Eysenbach & Co., in which he continued two years, when Mr. Eysenbach retired and the firm became Evans & Evans. Early in 1883 another change occurred, and the firm became Evans & Bliss, as at present. Mr. Evans is engaged with his brother-in-law, Hugh Evans, in the real estate business. His wife, Elizabeth, was a daughter of Richard E. and Mary (Jones) Evans, who were natives of Llanbrynmair, Wales, and who first settled in Franklin County, Ohio, thence moved to Van Wert County, Ohio. By her he has five children: Richard J., Jane, John H. V., Irvin Blaine and Viola Ann. While a resident of Van Wert County Mr. Evans was township trustee, and was commissioned justice of the peace under Gov. Noyes. Since his residence in Delphos he has been a member of the city council several years. He is P. G. and treasurer of Okonoxv Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 201, also collector of Delphos Council No. 200 Royal Arcanum.

As printed in History of Allen County, Ohio : containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; hist (1885). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.