In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1876
From Biographical review of Des Moines County, Iowa (1905)
MERRETT THOMAS EVANS.
One of the most prominent and progressive of the younger farmers of Des Moines county is Merrett T. ICvans, now living in Washington township. L'pon the farm where he yet resides he was born Jan. 16, 1876. his parents being Henry and Catherine (Williams) Evans, who are living retired in.Mount Pleasant. The family was established here in pioneer times by the grandfather. Thomas T. Evans, a native of Wales.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
Sept. 14, 1897, Mr. Evans was married to Miss Florence Bowman, a daughter of Henry I'woman, and they now have four children: Henry, born Aug. 10, 1898; Dorothy, born Feb. 9, 1900; Tom, born July 12, 1902; and Mary Frances, born Aug. 25, 1904.
Mr. Evans, as the result of his study and consideration of the political issues and questions of the country, has given his support to the Republican party. He belongs to the Alpha Beta society, a Greek letter fraternity with which he became connected while attending college at Mount Pleasant. He also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, and is now serving on its official board. He is a young man of strong purpose, laudable ambition, and determined will, qualities which are always essential in a successful business career, and in the control of extensive farming and stock-raising interests he displays excellent business ability and executive force.
As printed in Biographical review of Des Moines County, Iowa (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1905. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.