Jonathan Matthias Evans

As printed in 1902

JONATHAN MATTHIAS EVANS.

Jonathan Matthias Evans, who by attainments, results accomplished and eminence in his chosen line of labor, in every way fills the ideal called to mind by the expression “captain of industry,” in all that the term implies, being well worthy of the title His leadership rests upon a knowledge and understanding of industry itself, for his has been busy and useful career, in which he has accomplished much not only for his individual profit but also in promoting industrial and commercial activity, in furnishing employment to others and in pushing forward the wheels of progress. Since 1867 his home has been in Springfield and though he has now retired from business cares he has left the impress of his individuality for all time on the material advancement of the city.

A native of Pennsylvania Mr. Evans was born in Cumberland county March 30, 1818. His father, Owen Evans, was a native of Philadelphia, and spent almost his entire life there. By trade he was a carpenter, following that pursuit through many years. The Evans family is of Welsh lineage. The grandfather of our subject was born in Wales, whence he crossed the Atlantic to America at an early day. Owen Evans was twice married and by his first union had one son, Rowland D., now deceased. For his second wife he those Leah

Souder, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvaia, and represented one of the old families of that state. Her father lived to the very advanced age of one hundred and twelve years, and she reached the ripe old age of eighty-five years. By her marriage she became the mother of four sons and four daughters: David S. and Lewis Cass, both now deceased; Mary, the deceased wife of Henry Paul; Jonathan M.; Anna, the deceased wife of Smith Druley; Owen who was a resident of Columbus, Ohio, but has now passed away; Leah, the deceased wife of Thomas Edmonson, of Springfield; and

Caroline, who is the widow of John R. Smith and resides on Fruit Hill, in Cincinnati.. The father of this family became well-to-do and in connection with carpentering owned and operated a small farm. The children were all educated in the subscription schools of Pennsylvania.

Jonathan Matthias Evans of this review: was only thirteen years of age at the time of his father’s death. The following year he began to earn his own livelihood and from a humble position he worked his way upward until he occupied a commanding place in the trade circles of Springfield. For a time he studied medicine with his brothers but never practiced the profession. Beginning work in a woolen factory, his duty was to care for the carding machines. He afterward learned the carpenter's trade and for some years worked as a journeyman. He next went into a foundry and learned the holder’s trade. The year 1840 witnessed his arrival in Ohio and in that year he cast his first presidential ballot, supporting William Henry Harrison, at which time the cry of the Whigs was “Tippecanoe and Tyler, too.” From Dayton Mr. Evans removed to Piqua, Ohio, where he worked as a holder for a time and later entered into partnership, carrying on business there for sev-

E eral years under the firm name of Alexander,

Rouzer & Evans, manufacturers of heavy mill machinery, their specialty being the machinery for saw and flouring mills. The firm later took a contract for building cars for the Columbus, Piqua & Indiana Railroad which has since been merged into another road, and constructed some of the first cars used on that line. They carried on a general jobbing factory of heavy machinery and much of the machinery was made after original inventions. This company invented and placed upon the market a turbine wheel known as the Evans water wheel. They

' were among the first builders of heavy machinery in Ohio and in the enterprise, in which they were pioneers, met with good success. The railroad, however, from which they had-taken the contract to build cars, went into the hands of a receiver and the company never received payment for the work it had done. Changes in partnership occurred and in due course of time Mr. Evans became associated with his sons under the firm style of A. C. Evans € Company, which stands to-day as one of the strong industrial institutions of this city. The subject of this review is still a director in the business and many of the ideas developed in the foundry have originated in his brain and have been carried to successful completion hy the sons. The factory in this city was first built on Main street and subsequently the business was removed to the present site and the buildings constituting the plant were erected. The first site was a farm at the time of the Evans purchase and later it was divided and sold in building lots. A. C. Evans, a son of our subject, was also an inventor of note and was one of the first to invent and manufacture machinery for planting corn. This machine, which he perfected has come into general use throughout the United States, and also in many foreign lands. ‘Many other kinds of machinery are now manufactured in the plant, a specialty being made of harrows. From the establishment of the enterprise until his practical retirement from active business life, Jonathan M. Evans was a leading factor in the successful control of a business which under the guidance of himself and partners grew to extensive proportions.

In Piqua, Ohio, Mr. Evans was united in marriage to Ann Muter, who was born in England but had resided for some time in Piqua. Five children blessed this union, four sons and a daughter, but the latter, Leah, died in childhood. George is a stockholder of the A. C. Evans Company and resides on West High street. Alva was married and at his death left a son, George, who was a soldier in the Spanish-American war, joining the United States army in Cuba, and now resides in Indiana. Austin C., who was the inventor of the corn planter above mentioned and one of the founders of the A. C. Evans Manufacturing Company, served as its president until his death. His widow is now the wife of Dr. J. T. Myers and their daughter, Pearl, is the wife of Frank Harwood. Lewis C. is employed by the P. P. Mast Company and is president of the Evans Manufacturing Company. He is married and has two children: Elizabeth and Lewis C. The sons were all educated in the public schools of Piqua, and the wife and mother died in that city. As they grew to manhood the sons became active assistants of the father, the family working together in harmony in the ownership and control of an important business enterprise. In 1883 Mr. Evans was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Catherine Downs, a widow whose husband died in California, leaving three daughters. She was born in New York and was educated in the public schools of Springfield, Ohio. Her father, John Sheaff, removed from the Empire state to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and in 1837 came to Clark county. In his family were eleven children, of whom six are yet living, but Mrs. Mary Hicks, of South Plum street, and Mrs. Evans are the only residents of Ohio.

Jonathan M. Evans holds membership in the Universalist church, and in politics is a Republican who took an active part in the local work of the organization of the party while residing in Piqua. Reading has been one of his.chief resources of recreation and pleasure and he has kept well informed on all issues of the day, both politically and otherwise, and is familiar with good literature of all ages. His face indicates strong character, concentration of purpose and a capacity for strong feeling. He has ever been fearless in defense of what he believes to be right and has always been found as a supporter of the true, the just and the beautiful, He is to-day a well preserved man for one of his years. Nature is kindly to those who abuse not her laws and Mr. Evans has ever been observant of her principles. He has long occupied a commanding position in public regard by reason of his success and by his close adherence to correct business principles. He has seized the opportunities that have offered and has used his brains and his ability to further his business interests and at the same time has had due regard for the rights of others.

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.