Joseph H. Evans

As printed in 1888

OSEPH 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-

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

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 Portrait and biographical album of Des Moines County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county .. (1888). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.